Sadly, it isn't called The 3 Bears anymore, and the interior has been remodeled.  

Exactly.
And you HAD to bring up the deal you got on the complete Buffy??!! 

 

A GREAT episode, and the high point of the Leviathan story!  It contains all the best elements of DS: it's atmospheric-- taking place at the Old House by candlelight and the lamplit docks at night, and the music is just right.  Barnabas is at his angstiest, JF is flawless, and Marie Wallace is excellent-- Megan's fear of Michael is palpable yet not at all over the top.  There's a black candle ritual,, a fanging, a future multiple Oscar nominee in a small role, and not simply a dream but rather a dream within in a dream; also, impressive camera work (i.e., drawing our eyes to Megan's neck), nice FX (the mirror that does not reflect Barnabas' image, and his portrait morphing into Josette's), and an amazing script with brilliant dialogue such as this from Adlar:

Before man, in a time before he existed, we ruled. When there was only essence and intelligence and nothing more-- none of these shapes that human beings wear today. Then there was only energy and power, and there was darkness. When man was formed, he became dominant; we had to submit or be destroyed. Some of us did, awkwardly, but in our hearts we were waiting... waiting, silent as the serpent, swift as the snake, powerful as a Leviathan. Some of us did not choose to take on what you call human shape. They went underground and kept their true shapes-- [he smiles] demons, fiends, creatures of the night, and of darkness, and of evil.

At last, we see the pervasive evil promised in multiple voiceovers, and once again we're made to feel for Barnabas' plight while we fear for him as he faces one punishment after another.  Is any fan not touched when Adlar gets around to throwing Josette in his face?  Maybe Julia fans, who get a payoff/frustration dynamic in a final "I must obey ... Forgive me, Julia, dear friend."  Barnabas is fierce is his loyalty to her, but ultimately she must take a backseat for Josette's sake.

There were no end credits (though in this case I would've hated to lose even the smallest of scenes in order to make room for them), so if not for outside sources we wouldn't know the names of the two new characters:  Marsha Mason was Audrey the Leviathan/vampire, and Pierrino Mascarino (a future Buffy alum) appeared as Adlar.  It was penned by Violet Welles and Lela Swift directed.

Boss Wraith says Barnabas's new vampire progeny isn't "up to his usual standards"-- huh?

Because she's a tramp-- someone that Barnabas would have discarded and not turned.

The SW Emperor, snort.  LOL for the Morrison/Them reference.

Well, he still had the talent given to him when his studio burned, Petofi having restored it in #876, and since as you said, he was able to bring Blackwood to life.  I agree with you that his lackluster work in the next century and his not having a self-portrait suggest something went wrong after that point, but I can't say when it was either and can't think of an explanation other than that perhaps he refused to use it (more denial about it, or fear of his own power to create?) or as you suggested, the gift possibly died with Petofi.

GH got the name right in the redo:  Charles Delaware Tate.

Julia:  "Where is the portrait of Quentin Collins?"
Monroe:  "It was destroyed in a fire 10 years ago."
Wha??  He blew his line, right?  Tate recreated himself 10 years ago; the fire we know about was in 1897.

Where did things stand at the end of 1897 for him?   Was his talent restored, or not?   The mediocre landscapes and non-immortality would suggest not.

Exactly.  Though he was in denial about it in 1897, believing that Petofi merely discovered his talent, which of course wasn't the case-- Petofi had said he "supplied the talent that was lacking" to a "decidedly mediocre painter."

I keep wondering why he wanted to be Michael.  He doesn't seem like the sort of kid who would want to be named Michael.  It's not grandiose enough.

I think the name is pretty impressive.  It comes from the Hebrew for God-like, and to Jews, Christians and Islamics, Michael is an archangel.  To Catholics, he's the leader of the Army of God, and to Jews he was guardian of the Chosen People.   (The title of King of Pop would not yet apply.  )  But to irk the Leviathan Michael, one need only call him Mike.

Elizabeth's and David's idea of homage doesn't amount to much.  No gold, no frankincense, no myrrh, not even a box of candy from Lowell Apothecary.  Just "Nice to meet you, gotta go."

Giving homage-- couldn't that just mean saying hi and we're with you all the way?

Meanwhile, that deer's head looked sort of silly and flirtatious.  Mind you, I'm not sneering at David's fears.

But I will, heh.  Leviathans dole out the stupidest punishments, and David's seemed especially lame, particularly for someone who "lives in a world in which the supernatural is real and dangerous."  He has been possessed and bewitched, spent a night in a mausoleum and has even been killed, so to be acutely aware of both the passage of time and some faces of inanimate objects shouldn't be scary to him.  And he has seen Michael's real form already, so unless it has grown quite a lot, why would it be frightening now?

Michael Maitland's episode of Emergency! from 1973 is available to watch on Hulu: http://www.hulu.com/watch/36210/emergency-the-promotion  He shows up in the second half and seems very capable in his good-sized part as Joel Ferguson.  His real hair, as seen on that show, was brown and curly.  So his blonde, straight-haired look on DS requires some suspension of belief.

Thanks, Brian.  Another current discussion thread about HoDS/NoDS on Amazon, including today's 2 new posts, begins here:

Today I happened to spot this thread (mostly from December '09) on the Classic Horror Film Board.  It discusses downloads of both DS films that are being sold via Amazon. ...

SHADOWGRAM
The Official Dark Shadows News Updates Yahoo Group
Marcy Robin's Cyberspace "Dark Shadows" News Updates

An Official Internet Publication of SHADOWGRAM -  -The Official "Dark Shadows" Published Newsletters

YahooGroup address: http://movies.groups.yahoo.com/group/ShadowGram/

---

Number 208. January 23, 2009.

---

Hello, Dark Shadows Fan,

ShadowGram (SG), The Official Newsletter & News Source for Dark Shadows (DS), announces the following breaking news in this Online News Update "bulletin."

--- DS SADLY LOSES 3 OF ITS ACTORS:
JEAN SIMMONS
CONARD FOWKES
MICHAEL CURRIE
--- JOSEPH GORDON-LEVITT'S WORLD-PREMIERE FILM AT SUNDANCE
--- UPDATE: NEW DS MOVIE STARRING JOHNNY DEPP
--- UPDATE: DS FESTIVAL "SHADOWS IN THE SUN" CONVENTION THIS JULY

**** JEAN SIMMONS

Jean (1991 DS' Elizabeth, Naomi) passed away from lung cancer at her home in Santa Monica, CA, 1-22. She would have been 81 years old on 1-31.

London-born, she made her movie debut at age 14 in the 1944 British film "Give Us the Moon." Two years later came her breakthrough role as "Estella" in the film adaptation of Charles Dickens' "Great Expectations." She was nominated for the Best Supporting Actress Academy Award for "Ophelia" in Lawrence Olivier's "Hamlet" in 1948. She also was nominated in 1969 for her portrayal of an alcoholic wife in "The Happy Ending."

Her 50+-year career included co-starring with many iconic actors in 35 motion pictures in the 1950s-70s, plus numerous TV roles. She won the Emmy Award for the TV miniseries "The Thorn Birds."

One of her final roles was as the reclusive "Hannah" in the Britsh film "Shadows in the Sun," shot last year on location in England's north Norfolk coast. It was released in the UK last year.

She is survived by her two daughters, Tracy Granger and Kate Brooks.

LA Times obituary 1-23: "Instead of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to the Lange Foundation, a pet rescue organization, at www.langefoundation.com."

SG notes: Late 1-22, rhe LA Times online broke the story of her death. The 1-23 newspaper edition has the complete obituary, and the Times' website also has a gallery of career photos.
http://www.latimes.com/news/obituaries/la-me-jean-simmons23-2010jan23,0,3505807,full.story

**** CONARD FOWKES

Conard (Frank Garner - 1970) was 76 when he died of pancreatic cancer 12-14. He was a delightful guest at the 2006 DS Festival's DS 40th Anniversary Celebration in Brooklyn and at a previous NY DS reunion. A videotaped interview from 2005 is also included as a bonus item on MPI's "DS - The Beginning" DVD releases of the pre-Barnabas episodes.

Conard was a vital part of the Actors' Equity Assocation for 36+ years. He was elected to its Council in 1973 and served as AEA's Secretary/Treasurer from 1988-2009. In 1977, he co-founded VITA (AEA's Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program), which has assisted thousands of AEA members with their income taxes. He also served on numerous committees and special focus groups.

Last year, SG #115-#116 print issue saluted him as recipient of AEA's 2009 Patrick Quinn Award for Distinguished Service to Actors, which "recognizes and rewards those who give of themselves to improve the lives of actors."

He was a member of the second graduating class of NY's High School of Performing Arts and won a 4-year Navy scholarship to Yale, where he majored in history and the arts and letters. His acting career included roles on stage, screen, TV, radio, and soaps "Edge of Night," "As the World Turns," and "Search for Tomorrow.".

He is survived by former actress Jacqueline Hernly, his wife of 52 years; daughters, Cly Fowkes; Amy Fowkes, and Katherine Fowkes; 8-year-old grandson, Matteo Neri; and a sister, Diane Zellers.

For those wishing to remember Conard, contributions may be made to the Actors' Equity Foundation, 165 W. 46th St., NYC, NY 10036. Please indicate that the contribution is for the VITA program.

**** MICHAEL CURRIE

Michael (Constable James Carter – 1966) passed away at age 81 at his home in Freeport, Maine, 12-22.

Born Herman Christian Schwenk, Jr., he earned a degree in psychology and did graduate work at Cornell University. His career as a character actor saw him in numerous TV and screen roles, "Love and Kisses" on Broadway, and several off-Broadway plays. Credits also include the movies "Philidelphia Experiment," "Sudden Impact," and "Firefox," plus TV shows such as "Soap" and "Cheers."

In addition to his wife of 49 years, Ann, he is survived by daughter Catherine and her family. son John and his family; his granddaughter and a sister.

Those who wish to remember him may donate to the Actors Equity Fund through the name Herman C. Schwenk Jr.

**** JOSEPH GORDON-LEVITT STARS IN "HESHER" AT SUNDANCE FILM FESTIVAL

Joe (1991 David, Daniel) plays the title role – a slang term for a strung-out, burned-out heavy metal rocker – in "Hesher". It world-premiered 1-22 as part of the "U.S. Dramatic Competition" at the prestigious Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah. Sundance publicity: Hesher: "A mysterious, anarchical trickster descends on the lives of a family struggling to deal with a painful loss."

SG #115-#116 print issue shared Joe's news about the role. The upcoming SG #117 will have more information.

**** UPDATE: NEW DS MOVIE

The "Dark Shadows" feature film finally is heading toward production later this year. It will star longtime DS fan Johnny Depp as "Barnabas."

Director Tim Burton has completed the extended post-production of his most recent collaboration with Johnny, Disney's live-action/animated movie adaptation of "Alice In Wonderland." Johnny is starting to film "The Tourist" with Angelina Jolie. Variety 11-6: "Depp would play an American tourist drawn into a web of intrigue by a female Interpol agent (Jolie) who is attempting to locate a criminal who was once her lover."

In the meantime, the DS script is being worked on and plans are on target for an expected 2011 release.

More confirmed information will be in the upcoming SG #117 and future SG print issues, with confirmed news Update bulletins posted to this Shadowgram YahooGroup.

**** DS FESTIVAL "SHADOWS IN THE SUN" –
BURBANK, CA, JULY 16-18, 2010

SG announces that JONATHAN FRID (Barnabas) and other confirmed guests will join us at the Cast Reunion and Fan Convention at the Marriott Hotel & Convention Center at the Burbank Airport in Burbank, CA, this July 16-18.

The hotel is across the street from this international airport, located very close to Los Angeles, Hollywood, Beverly Hills, and many Southern California attractions. Recent SG Updates have more specific details about the event and the area.

All our confirmed guests, programming, membership, and other details will be announced soon in the SG #117 print issue and SG Online Updates posts. Subscription information for the published SG newsletters (such as SG #117) is later in this Update.

The Festival plans its general postal-mailing in the coming weeks. To receive this mass mailing, please send a SASE (Self-Addressed Stamped Envelope) to Dark Shadows Festival, P.O. Box 92, Maplewood, NJ 07040.

--- All of us on the Fest staff are volunteers. Fan volunteers help in several ways throughout the convention weekend and are invited to a private party with DS guests in thanks.

For volunteer information, please send a SASE or e-mail: Nina Johnson, 411 Victoria Dr., Columbia, MO 65201. ds_volunteers@hotmail.com

--- Fans seeking possible hotel roommates can be put in touch with others and then make their own arrangements. Roommate Coordinator Pam Jarman cannot assist with travel planning or hotel reservations.

For hotel roommate information, please send a SASE or e-mail: Pam Jarman, P.O. Box 45674, Los Angeles, CA 90045. PLJarman@hotmail.com

**** SHADOWGRAM NOTES:

--- Please share with SG any media articles, publicity, and reviews about "Hesher," as well as obituaries/tributes honoring Jean. Please also send - at any time – any mentions you may find about the new DS film, the DS personnel and their projects, or other DS-related news/references. Please send these to the SG addresses below.

You will be named as a Contributor in upcoming print issues. You also may receive a complimentary Contributor's Copy for major contributions of information, funds, postage stamps, supplies, publicity, assistance, etc.

--- The next print issue newsletter, SG #117, is underway and will expand on the above news items and much more, plus remember those we recently have lost. The issue, subsequent SGs, and future SG Online Updates also will cover all the latest DS-related news, including official developments for the "Shadows in the Sun" convention in Burbank July 16-18.

**** Subscription information for the ShadowGram Newsletter print issues follows. When your order arrives, I will mail you the current SG #115-#116 Double Issue newsletter to begin / renew your subscription. The next SG #117 and subsequent issues will be sent to you and all postal-mail subscribers as they are published.

**** This Update is posted to the ShadowGram YahooGroup and dispersed by interested fans to various lists, boards, websites, groups, in personal emails, and other online communications.

You can join the actual SG YahooGroup easily at no cost by going to: http://movies.groups.yahoo.com/group/ShadowGram/

You can read past SG Updates once you're a member of the group by clicking on the "Messages" tab.

If you'd like more information on how to become a SG YahooGroup member, or an invitation to join the group, please e-mail Marcy Robin at shadowgram1@yahoo.com

Thank you.

Marcy Robin
ShadowGram Editor / Publisher
P.O. Box 1766
Temple City, CA 91780-7766

ShadowGram@aol.com
YahooGroup e-mail: Shadowgram1@yahoo.com

Official ShadowGram Website: www.ShadowGram.com