There's a NY actress named Vala Ciffton who, according to the IMDb, played a femme fatale in a 1965 movie.  A somewhat recent photo of her is at  http://shootingpeople.org/cards/Vala

Screen grabs of Maudie Browning are here:

Robservations 4/12/02 - Barnabas, Judge and Jury - #439/440

What do you think?  But the name would have to have been misspelled on DS, and we all know that never happened. 

Dan wasn't much for product placement, but when Mattel asked him to do a subtle ad for hair attack Barbie he loved the idea.

Ha ha!  I think that's one of your best, McTrooper.

MagnusTrask,

I confess that I hadn't seen an ep of Dr. Who before last nite's broadcast of the updated version (this newbie is very grateful that the eps provided an introduction to the characters and the series), but nevertheless I enjoyed seeing your artwork.  You're obviously very talented, and my favorite is the same drawing that you said satisfied you the most.

Fans who wish to do so may send sympathy cards for the Curtis Family c/o ShadowGram, P.O. Box 1766, Temple City, CA 91780-7766.

In addition, Mrs. Curtis' LA Times obituary links to an online guestbook where condolences may be expressed:

http://www.legacy.com/latimes/Obituaries.asp?Page=LifeStory&PersonID=17006393

Messages are reviewed before they appear online.

ShadowGram Online Dark Shadows News Updates List
Marcy Robin's Cyberspace "Dark Shadows" News Update List
An Internet Publication of SHADOWGRAM ShadowGram@aol.com

Number 147.  March 16, 2006.

---

Hello, Dark Shadows Fan,

ShadowGram (SG), The Official Newsletter & News Source for Dark Shadows (DS), announces the following breaking news.


**** NORMA CURTIS - IN MEMORIAM

ShadowGram sadly announces the passing of Dan Curtis' beloved wife, Norma, on March 7 at age 75 from heart disease. Dan and Norma were married for 54 years and were the parents of three daughters. Dan is DS' creator / director / producer.

Fans who wish to do so may make donations in her memory to the Alzheimer's Association, 919 N. Michigan Ave., Suite 1000, Chicago, IL 60601-7633. 1-312-335-8700. https://www.alz.org/Donate/EProcess1.asp

ALZ Statement: "The Alzheimer's Association, the world leader in Alzheimer research and support, is the first and largest voluntary health organization dedicated to finding prevention methods, treatments and an eventual cure for Alzheimer's. For 25 years ((founded 1980)), the donor-supported, not-for-profit Alzheimer's Association has provided reliable information and care consultation; created supportive services for families; increased funding for dementia research; and influenced public policy changes.... Our toll free, 24/7 Nationwide Contact Center is a vital resource for information, assistance, care consultation and referrals 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Our number is 1-800-272-3900."

Fans who wish to do so may send sympathy cards for the Curtis Family c/o ShadowGram, P.O. Box 1766, Temple City, CA 91780-7766.


**** DARK SHADOWS 40TH ANNIVERSARY

Preparations are underway for the special Dark Shadows Festival this August 25-27 at the New York Marriott Hotel at the Brooklyn Bridge, celebrating 4 decades of Dark Shadows! Among the confirmed guests are: David Selby, Lara Parker, John Karlen, Kathryn Leigh Scott, Jerry Lacy, Nancy Barrett, Marie Wallace and Diana Millay, with more to come.

It is recommended that all fans who plan to attend make their hotel reservations as soon as possible because the hotel will sell out of rooms. (The Marriott Financial Center Hotel in lower Manhattan, two subway stops from the Brooklyn Bridge Marriott, will ultimately serve as a back-up hotel). There is a special discounted Dark Shadows sleeping room rate of $153 + tax per night (single/double occupancy) at the Brooklyn Marriott. Please call the hotel's toll-free direct reservations line at 1-888-436-3759 and be sure to mention "Dark Shadows." You also can go to the hotel's website at www.brooklynmarriott.com  and enter the following 7-character code: DARDARA

See SG Online Update # 146 for more specific directions for making hotel room reservations.

All fans attending the Fest's 40th Anniversary Celebration are invited to please send their photos and reports to SG at the e-mail or postal-mail addresses below. Contributor's Copies are given in thanks for major contributions.


**** BEN CROSS IN NEW SCI FI CHANNEL MOVIE

Ben Cross (1991 Barnabas) stars in the original film "SS Doomtrooper," due to premiere on Sci Fi Channel 4-1. SFC Publicity: "During the last days of World War II, a team of Allied soldiers is sent behind enemy lines to destroy a secret Nazi atomic-weapons program. But they soon find that the Nazis aren't making an A-bomb - they're making an army of monster super-soldiers! With time running out, the Allied troops must marshall their eclectic skills to prevent the Nazis from unleashing a horror that will change the outcome of the war."

Please share with SG any articles, reviews, or publicity about the movie. Send all material to SG's e-mail or postal-mail addresses below.


**** DARK SHADOWS VHS CLOSE-OUT SALE

MPI Home Video continues to release the entire original DS series on DVD in 4-disc sets. The company previously had released all 1,225 episodes on VHS videotape at $19.98 per tape, with 5 episodes on each tape. A unique collectible photo cover is on every tape box.

Now, MPI has a special sale of the VHS videotapes for only $5.99 each, while supplies last. They will no longer be manufacturing VHS tapes of DS episodes after June 30.  Fans who still want the VHS tapes should order them directly from MPI. Call  toll-free weekdays: 1-800-323-0442 or visit   www.mpihomevideo.com


**** DS MOVIES ON DVD

In a recent online forum, a representative from Warner Brothers, who owns the copyright to the 1970 and 1971 movies "House of Dark Shadows" and "Night of Dark Shadows," reported that the company will likely issue both films as a double-feature DVD sometime in 2007. There is no news yet if this release would include a restored "Night of DS."

Please note: "Recently, bootleg copies of both DS films have appeared illegally on eBay for sale or auction, sometimes with almost-convincing artwork/packaging. These are unauthorized copies, which Warner Brothers polices vigorously. These inferior copies violate copyright laws held by Warner Brothers, copyright owners of the 2 films."

SG will provide further confirmed updates as they become available.


**** DS EBAY BOOTLEGS

SG would like to remind all fans that, "in addition to occasional bootleg DVDs of the DS movies as mentioned above, there frequently are scam artists who offer fake props and other bogus materials, which they erroneously claim were used on DS. Despite sellers' assurances of authenticity, these claims are fraudulent, since original DS props were not circulated after the series' demise. A few genuine artifacts, however, are offered at the charity auction at the DS Festivals when they are confirmed through reliable sources who worked on the show."


**** DS ACTION FIGURES NOW AVAILABLE

Recent SG print issues and this Updates List have announced, reported, and pictured the new 12" Barnabas and Quentin action figures from Majestic Studios. There are two separate Barnabas figures with interchangeable heads and hands, and one Quentin figure with interchangeable heads. After some production delays, these figures now are ready and available through comic book and collectibles stores and online sources.

Barnabas Present Day - Catalog #2615787. Barnabas 1795 Era - Catalog #2615788. Quentin - Catalog #2615789. "Each (is in a) window box with front cover flap packaging" measuring approx. 15½" x 9+" x 3½." Suggested retail price of each: $39.95.


**** The above news and all the latest confirmed DS developments will be fully detailed in the upcoming new SG #107 print issue. Subscription information follows for these full-size postal-mail newsletters

Thank you.
Marcy Robin
ShadowGram Editor / Publisher

Marcy Robin, P.O. Box 1766, Temple City, CA 91780-7766
E-mail: ShadowGram@aol.com

BC:  "Stop asking me if I'm going to finish those fries!!"

Ben:  "How 'bout the onion rings?!"

 

LOL, PD!

   to retzev