DARK SHADOWS FORUMS

General Discussions => Current Talk Archive => Current Talk '26 I => Current Talk '08 II => Topic started by: borgosi on August 15, 2008, 09:19:43 PM

Title: a REAL Dark Shadows music box?
Post by: borgosi on August 15, 2008, 09:19:43 PM
Does anyone know of a company that makes music boxes or even an empty "box" like the Josette Music box? Even if they can't make the complete music, because of copywrites, maybe we could find someone that can make the box and any of us with the little toy music box could take the "music" out of the toy and put it in a real box.

Know what I mean?

I hope.
Title: Re: a REAL Dark Shadows music box?
Post by: jimbo on August 15, 2008, 10:21:28 PM
I do like your ideas including the Victrola. There are previous posts concerning DS merchandising. I think the problem is first with Dan Curtis Productions and how protective they are about handing out licensing to companies. DCP has in recent times been more aggressive like having Majestic produce the collector action figures. Unfortunately they went out of business although I understand the the figures sold very well. Actually one site has a couple of the Barnabas 1900 series available for sale at $49.00 at Amoktime.com: Dark Shadows Barnabas Collins 12in Figure (http://www.amoktime.com/detail.asp?product_id=ss1242&subcat=707). That is a pretty good price these days. I digress. DCP seems to favor MPI for some reasons which I think some of us know why. But I do see DCP and or WB coming out with many new DS collectibles if the new movie is ever made.
Title: Re: a REAL Dark Shadows music box?
Post by: borgosi on August 15, 2008, 10:55:34 PM
I'm sure if the new movie is made, and is a hit, we'll see all sorts of collectables. I just hope they look the same. I don't know if I want a NEW music box, or ring.
Title: Re: a REAL Dark Shadows music box?
Post by: borgosi on August 15, 2008, 11:46:39 PM
I know this isn't THE music box but if I remember right, and I may not, they didn't use a real music box on the show. I was trying to think of what it could have been before they used it for the music box. I thought maybe a candle holder so I did a search. Here's what I've found so far. It make me think that I could be on the right track. I'll keep looking and I my get those to hold me until I find something better.

See image:
Floral Lattice Jar Holder (http://www.discountcandleshop.com/product_info.php/products_id/2120)
(edited by admin)
Title: Re: a REAL Dark Shadows music box?
Post by: Taeylor Collins on August 16, 2008, 01:51:50 AM
I have the on from 1996 issued from MPI.  It's in great shape and I will play it maybe once a year.  I did just the other day.  I personally thought the "1991" music box was the prettiest.  I know I am probably among the few who did but it is just my humble opinon cousins!! [ghost_grin]
Title: Re: a REAL Dark Shadows music box?
Post by: Mysterious Benefactor on August 16, 2008, 01:56:15 AM
A certain someone on the forum will probably agree with you, Taeylor, because she owns that music box.  [ghost_smiley]  She bought it at the '04 Fest auction (how's that for a hint to how you might search the older posts to learn her identity?  [ghost_grin]).
Title: Re: a REAL Dark Shadows music box?
Post by: Philippe Cordier on August 19, 2008, 06:03:06 AM
I personally thought the "1991" music box was the prettiest.  I know I am probably among the few who did but it is just my humble opinon cousins!! [ghost_grin]

I thought that all the MPI music boxes were identical.  I don't remember what year mine is, or where it is right now.  It is cheapy looking to an outsider, but magical for those for whom its representation has resonant meaning.
Title: Re: a REAL Dark Shadows music box?
Post by: Doug on August 19, 2008, 07:09:27 AM
I remember reading when the music box toy first came out in the late 60's or early 70's, it was cheap looking because
of the plastic.
Title: Re: a REAL Dark Shadows music box?
Post by: borgosi on August 19, 2008, 07:43:08 AM
I thought that all the MPI music boxes were identical.

They're talking about the one used in the 1991 TV series.

(edited by admin)
Title: Re: a REAL Dark Shadows music box?
Post by: RachelDrummand on August 19, 2008, 09:28:00 AM
I too am searching for a replica or as close as I can come by to the 1991 music box. The original cheapo plastic one simply will not do and wasn't worth the price my hubby paid for it. *sighs* Anyway, I'm part of this DS Revival forum and we had a thread just like this one...so this one person came on and gave us pics of a box that looks almost identical to the revival but would not say where he/she purchased it!

So maybe you guys can help???

(http://www.little-menagerie.com/top.jpg)  (http://www.little-menagerie.com/side.jpg)

Title: Re: a REAL Dark Shadows music box?
Post by: Midnite on August 19, 2008, 05:28:03 PM
I'm part of this DS Revival forum and we had a thread just like this one...so this one person came on and gave us pics of a box that looks almost identical to the revival but would not say where he/she purchased it!

So maybe you guys can help???

Wouldn't say where s/he purchased it?

The music box prop is actually a composite of the jewel box lid seen in your photo and a much heavier music box with a hinged lid that was electroplated to match.  So the lid is identical (it's a great find!) to the very top part only.  Hope that helped.
Title: Re: a REAL Dark Shadows music box?
Post by: RachelDrummand on August 19, 2008, 06:00:08 PM
Unfortunately this person has chosen not to contact me or anyone else on the forum. What a tease! I'm hoping someone here will have seen this or something. I remember on ebay a few years back there were some pretty silver music box that played the original Josette tune (not the Cobert version) I'm still looking for one of those as well. *sighs*

~Rachel
Title: Re: a REAL Dark Shadows music box?
Post by: Cousin_Barnabas on August 19, 2008, 06:51:56 PM
I remember always wanting a music box just like the one in the show.  For 1970, the mail order box was great, but for the modern day, I really think MPI should've gone with a more elaborate design, not just a reproduction of the original issue.  I hope that when the new film comes out, we'll see a new Josette's Music Box that still plays Cobert's tune.  (That's the catcher for me.)  (And I hope that the filmmakers decide to keep Cobert's Main Theme, Josette's Music Box, and Shadows of the Night in this new film version, should the characters involved with those themes be present.)  Josette's Music Box is my favorite tune ever composed, and I'd like to see the actual music box mechanism be given a proper home someday.  After all, such a lovely and entrancing tune deserves an equally beautiful presentation. 
Title: Re: a REAL Dark Shadows music box?
Post by: Taeylor Collins on August 19, 2008, 08:24:14 PM
A bit off topic but I also hope they keep the "COLLINWOOD" theme for the opening of the movie.  The theme that opened all of the episodes! [ghost_wink]  Anyhow yes I was refferring to the 1991 DS music box.   [ghost_wink]
Title: Re: a REAL Dark Shadows music box?
Post by: borgosi on August 19, 2008, 11:29:52 PM
I've been "searching" on-line for that Jewelry/Music box top, I'll keep looking where ever I can and I'll let you know if I find it, you do the same and let me know if you find it. Cool?
Title: Re: a REAL Dark Shadows music box?
Post by: Janet the Wicked on August 20, 2008, 01:17:33 AM
We have the hunk o' junk plastic version. But it plays the melody fine and soothes our troubled minds, reminding us of better days when vampires roamed the Earth.
Title: Re: a REAL Dark Shadows music box?
Post by: retzev on August 20, 2008, 01:29:12 AM
We have the hunk o' junk plastic version. But it plays the melody fine and soothes our troubled minds, reminding us of better days when vampires roamed the Earth.


This is my favorite post of all time [ghost]
Title: Re: a REAL Dark Shadows music box?
Post by: Janet the Wicked on August 20, 2008, 01:38:36 AM
::humble bow:: No applause, please. Just throw money.
Title: Re: a REAL Dark Shadows music box?
Post by: RachelDrummand on August 20, 2008, 03:22:43 AM
I've been "searching" on-line for that Jewelry/Music box top, I'll keep looking where ever I can and I'll let you know if I find it, you do the same and let me know if you find it. Cool?

Absolutely!
Title: Re: a REAL Dark Shadows music box?
Post by: borgosi on August 20, 2008, 03:31:19 AM
Well.........wait for it..........THE SEARCH IS ON!!!!!
Title: Re: a REAL Dark Shadows music box?
Post by: Brandon Collins on August 21, 2008, 02:15:35 AM
Someone mentioned a small, silver music box that played the Josette theme that was seen on eBay a few years back. I think I might have the one in question. It's all silver, and it came in a purple box. It's about two inches tall, and probably three inches across the top, from left to right. I haven't played it in the longest time, but from what I remember, it plays the actual theme, or a very close version to it. It's a windup.

I don't remember what it cost back then, because I got it as a gift. I was pleased with it, but would've much rather had the original music box released when the show was still on the air in the 60s, but those are very hard to come by intact, and in good condition, for a reasonable price.
Title: Re: a REAL Dark Shadows music box?
Post by: RachelDrummand on August 21, 2008, 06:34:26 AM
Someone mentioned a small, silver music box that played the Josette theme that was seen on eBay a few years back. I think I might have the one in question.

That was me that mentioned that. From what I recall, the seller on ebay was selling it for a couple of hundred...at least that's what I remember. I wonder how many of those music boxes they made. It's just lovely IMO...much better than the cheap plastic box of the original.
Title: Re: a REAL Dark Shadows music box?
Post by: borgosi on August 21, 2008, 10:36:40 AM
Right now one of the cheap plastic ones is on ebay and the bid is up to $77.00 dollars and it still has two days to go. With fans willing to pay that for a cheap plastic top you know we would pay a couple of hundred each for a real music box without blinking twice. [ghost_mad]
Title: Re: a REAL Dark Shadows music box?
Post by: Taeylor Collins on August 21, 2008, 12:25:31 PM
I looked and it's the one that was issued in 1970.  So which one are you looking for? The one that actually was used on th show?
Title: Re: a REAL Dark Shadows music box?
Post by: Brandon Collins on August 21, 2008, 03:31:28 PM
That was me that mentioned that. From what I recall, the seller on ebay was selling it for a couple of hundred...at least that's what I remember. I wonder how many of those music boxes they made. It's just lovely IMO...much better than the cheap plastic box of the original.

Well I know that my parents didn't pay that much for the thing, it was probably more around $60. Are the ones you're talking about hand made? Because the one I have is definitely manufactured.
Title: Re: a REAL Dark Shadows music box?
Post by: borgosi on August 21, 2008, 09:27:59 PM
I want a real one like the one that was on the show. I have the plastic one.
Title: Re: a REAL Dark Shadows music box?
Post by: Taeylor Collins on August 21, 2008, 09:48:08 PM
 Was the music box on the show all that real?  They played music from a soundtrack, no?  Did someone make any besides the plastics?? I am so lost. LOL 
Title: Re: a REAL Dark Shadows music box?
Post by: Mysterious Benefactor on August 21, 2008, 10:58:17 PM
I pretty sure the music box on the original show was strictly a prop with the music being played from the sound booth. However, the one on the '91 series really played.
Title: Re: a REAL Dark Shadows music box?
Post by: RachelDrummand on August 22, 2008, 01:56:15 AM
Well I know that my parents didn't pay that much for the thing, it was probably more around $60. Are the ones you're talking about hand made? Because the one I have is definitely manufactured.

I'm not sure but your description of the box sounds like the one I saw a few years back on ebay.
Title: Re: a REAL Dark Shadows music box?
Post by: borgosi on August 22, 2008, 02:51:51 AM
The original music box was not real, however, a real one could be made based on the one on the show. The same thing could be done with the ring, the one on the show was fake but I real one could be made and sold.
Title: Re: a REAL Dark Shadows music box?
Post by: Mysterious Benefactor on August 22, 2008, 02:57:56 AM
It's funny to think that when they lost the ring one time, they just went out to a store near the studio, bought a cheap ring, and simply painted the supposed onyx stone black.  [ghost_cheesy]
Title: Re: a REAL Dark Shadows music box?
Post by: Taeylor Collins on August 22, 2008, 05:16:18 AM
I love that story MB as I heard it quite a few years ago. Thanks for reminding me of it!  [ghost_wink]