DARK SHADOWS FORUMS

General Discussions => Current Talk Archive => Current Talk '25 I => Current Talk '09 II => Topic started by: Lydia on December 04, 2009, 10:32:57 AM

Title: Prop Project: The Black-Bordered, Multicolored Afghan.
Post by: Lydia on December 04, 2009, 10:32:57 AM
So much has been said on the subject of the black-bordered, multicolored afghan that there may well be nothing left to say about it.  But that's no excuse for leaving it out of the Prop Project, especially since there is a topic for the other oft-appearing afghan.  So here is a PP topic for the most well-known of the Dark Shadows afghans, and even if nothing new is said, at least I'll be adding links to other topics dealing with the afghan.  Because everybody wants links to afghan topics, right?

Hereafter I'll be referring to the black-bordered afghan as the primary afghan, and to the other afghan – brown, red, and gold, with larger squares –  as the secondary afghan.

On to my two standard Prop Project questions.

First, is the primary afghan real?  I don't think there has ever been any doubt that it is.  It appears to be made of standard yarn rather than styrofoam, wood, or cardboard.  We have seen it folded, we have seen it spread out, and we have seen it rumpled, and its movements are those of a genuine afghan.

Second, has it been the subject of a collectible?  Has anybody ever made a copy of it?  Have limited edition copies of it been sold, with certificates of almost-authenticity?  Have pictures of it appeared on a Dark Shadows calendar?  And if so, was it topless?  I just don't know.

Here's a non-standard Prop Project question: In which episode does the primary afghan first appear?  The initial appearance may be hard to spot, because it surely would have been in a black and white episode.  I assume that the primary afghan started its Dark Shadows life on the sofa in the Evans Cottage, but I was surprised to notice the secondary afghan on that sofa at a point in the series – episode 146 – at which the primary afghan had not yet been seen, as far as I could tell.  This would make the secondary afghan first and the primary afghan second, which could be confusing.  Maybe we should just call the afghans Fred and Ethel.

The afghan is such a huge subject that I'm breaking down my opening remarks into several posts because otherwise everybody would fall asleep before I'm finished.  Stay tuned for captures, sightings, and links.
Title: Re: Prop Project: The Black-Bordered, Multicolored Afghan.
Post by: Lydia on December 04, 2009, 10:36:32 AM
Here are some captures of the primary afghan.  I regret that none of them shows its inner border of lime green squares.

Relaxing at home in episode 303:
(http://www.dsboards.com/SMF/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=11488.0;attach=5549)


Neatly spread out for Elizabeth in episode 577:
(http://www.dsboards.com/SMF/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=14497.0;attach=10646)


Slightly rumpled for Jamison/David in episode 828:
(http://www.dsboards.com/SMF/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=18685.0;attach=21554)
Title: Re: Prop Project: The Black-Bordered, Multicolored Afghan.
Post by: Lydia on December 04, 2009, 10:38:36 AM
Here's a list of some – but by no means all – sightings of the primary afghan:

Title: Re: Prop Project: The Black-Bordered, Multicolored Afghan.
Post by: Lydia on December 04, 2009, 10:42:43 AM
There are enough links to references in these boards to the afghan so that I'm going to split them up into three types: Current Talk topics about the afghan, a couple of good quotes about the afghan, and Complete This Phrase / Fill in The Blank(s) topics about the afghan.  I searched on “afghan” but there were so many results that I may well have missed some good stuff.

Here are the Current Talk topics:

From 2002:
Quote from: Bob_the_Bartender on March 05, 2002, 07:09:54 PM
The Ubiquitous Dark Shadows Quilt

From 2005:
Quote from: BuzzH on December 14, 2005, 04:08:04 PM
That Damn Afghan...

From 2008:
Quote from: Phil on July 13, 2008, 04:46:35 PM
Anyone have a screen capture of the colorful quilt/afghan thing?

And here's the Prop Project topic for the secondary afghan:
Quote from: loril54 on September 19, 2008, 02:58:13 AM
The Prop Project, Gold and Red Afghan
Title: Re: Prop Project: The Black-Bordered, Multicolored Afghan.
Post by: Lydia on December 04, 2009, 10:45:26 AM
Here are two quotes about the afghan that I particularly like, from topics that are not specifically about the afghan.

From a Caption This! topic, episode 673
Quote from: The Ghost of Sarah Collins on November 17, 2005, 06:46:57 PM
Quote from: BuzzH on November 17, 2005, 03:28:34 PM
[laughing4] [stfl] OMG! That damn afghan was *everywhere* wasn't it?
I have no doubt Buzz that had they gone back in time to the first cave dwelling Collins' that afghan would be there,drapped over a rock!

From “Collinwood in the new Depp/Burton DS film”
Quote from: Gerard on September 10, 2009, 01:07:20 AM
I guess I really don't mind what they use for Collinwood, but if there ain't no afghan sitting on the sofa in the drawing room, I ain't going to go see the movie. There are some things that are non-negotiable!
Title: Re: Prop Project: The Black-Bordered, Multicolored Afghan.
Post by: Lydia on December 04, 2009, 10:50:20 AM
Here are some “Complete This Phrase / Fill in The Blank(s)” topics in which the setup was about the afghan:

Episode #0263
Quote from: Lydia on October 01, 2009, 04:33:42 AM
When Maggie's beloved afghan was destroyed during a particularly rowdy night at the Tool Shed Bar and Grill, Sam and Joe didn't know how they could keep Maggie from finding out – but finally they decided...

Episode #0514
Quote from: Lydia on June 29, 2007, 01:48:51 AM
After the afghan started __________, Maggie finally agreed with Joe that she'd simply have to burn it.

Episode #0577
Quote from: MagnusTrask on July 03, 2008, 09:53:53 AM
CS: "Heavens no, mother! You don't know where that afghan's been!"
ECS: "Yes, I do! ____________________!"

Episode #0654
Quote from: MagnusTrask on October 19, 2008, 03:41:08 AM
J: "But what is it doing here? I've seen this afghan in every other room I've ever been in in this town!"
Afghan: "It's because __________! Ain't that a kick in the head?!"

Episode #0828
Quote from: MagnusTrask on July 24, 2009, 10:40:48 PM
J: "It's the afghan! It's temporally unstable! It causes me to be possessed by people who haven't been born yet and stuff like that! Take it away!"
A: "Hmmm... ______________!"

And that's all I have about the primary afghan...for now.
Title: Re: Prop Project: The Black-Bordered, Multicolored Afghan.
Post by: MagnusTrask on December 04, 2009, 09:52:36 PM
Yes, three quoted references to Fred from me, here!
Title: Re: Prop Project: The Black-Bordered, Multicolored Afghan.
Post by: Lydia on January 05, 2010, 08:48:58 PM
I spotted the primary afghan in episode 906, spread out over a chair in Paul Stoddard's hotel room.
Title: Re: Prop Project: The Black-Bordered, Multicolored Afghan.
Post by: Lydia on January 27, 2010, 12:00:34 PM
It was used on Tate on episode 922.
Title: Re: Prop Project: The Black-Bordered, Multicolored Afghan.
Post by: michael c on January 27, 2010, 01:49:06 PM
Quote from: Lydia on January 05, 2010, 08:48:58 PM
I spotted the primary afghan in episode 906, spread out over a chair in Paul Stoddard's hotel room.

which is itself the famous shapeshifter "room twenty four". [snow_silly]
Title: Re: Prop Project: The Black-Bordered, Multicolored Afghan.
Post by: Midnite on January 27, 2010, 05:27:03 PM
Quote from: mscbryk on January 27, 2010, 01:49:06 PM
which is itself the famous shapeshifter "room twenty four". [snow_silly]

I thought it was too, but I watched #902 recently and in it Paul tells the front desk to hold calls to room 37.
Title: Re: Prop Project: The Black-Bordered, Multicolored Afghan.
Post by: Lydia on January 28, 2010, 06:26:05 AM
It may call itself Room 37, but if you check its fingerprints I'm quite sure you'll find that it's Room 24 in disguise.

And why is it that I didn't notice until yesterday that I had put an unnecessary period at the end of the subject for this topic?
Title: Re: Prop Project: The Black-Bordered, Multicolored Afghan.
Post by: MagnusTrask on January 28, 2010, 01:54:16 PM
Quote from: Lydia on January 28, 2010, 06:26:05 AM
It may call itself Room 37, but if you check its fingerprints I'm quite sure you'll find that it's Room 24 in disguise.

And why is it that I didn't notice until yesterday that I had put an unnecessary period at the end of the subject for this topic?

1: Good one... and 2: Give us time, and I'm sure we'll forgive you!
Title: Re: Prop Project: The Black-Bordered, Multicolored Afghan.
Post by: michael c on January 30, 2010, 04:45:40 PM
they can call it any number they want but it's the same purgatorial space.

the sense of despair that permeates room twenty four is unmistakable.

woe betide all who end up there.
Title: Re: Prop Project: The Black-Bordered, Multicolored Afghan.
Post by: Lydia on March 25, 2010, 08:51:07 AM
This afghan covered Megan in episode 962, as she dreamed in her latest bedroom of her latest heartthrob.
Title: Re: Prop Project: The Black-Bordered, Multicolored Afghan.
Post by: Lydia on April 27, 2010, 06:17:55 AM
It's spread out over Bruno's piano in episode 986.
Title: Re: Prop Project: The Black-Bordered, Multicolored Afghan.
Post by: Lydia on May 11, 2010, 09:35:58 PM
A very exciting sighting: the primary and the secondary afghans in the very same room together in episode 997!  Buffie Harrington's room, parallel time.  I should have looked for the silver filigree pen, for a Dark Shadows Trifecta, but in my excitement I forgot to do so.
Title: Re: Prop Project: The Black-Bordered, Multicolored Afghan.
Post by: MagnusTrask on May 15, 2010, 04:35:04 AM
Truly an embarrassment of afghans.   I believe that's the collective term.
Title: Re: Prop Project: The Black-Bordered, Multicolored Afghan.
Post by: Lydia on May 18, 2010, 12:38:55 AM
I can think of other possibilities.

...an itch of afghans
...a square dance of afghans
...a ubiquity of afghans
Title: Re: Prop Project: The Black-Bordered, Multicolored Afghan.
Post by: MagnusTrask on May 18, 2010, 12:45:43 AM
Quote from: Lydia on May 18, 2010, 12:38:55 AM
...a ubiquity of afghans

LOL!
Title: Re: Prop Project: The Black-Bordered, Multicolored Afghan.
Post by: michael c on May 18, 2010, 12:56:25 AM
Quote from: Lydia on May 11, 2010, 09:35:58 PM
A very exciting sighting: the primary and the secondary afghans in the very same room together in episode 997!  Buffie Harrington's room, parallel time.  I should have looked for the silver filigree pen, for a Dark Shadows Trifecta, but in my excitement I forgot to do so.

has the AFGHAN and the PEN ever appeared together in ROOM TWENTY FOUR?  [ghost_blink]
Title: Re: Prop Project: The Black-Bordered, Multicolored Afghan.
Post by: MagnusTrask on May 18, 2010, 01:10:27 AM
I just pictured the afghan and the Pen in a sordid tryst in a hotel room.   Yet I can feed myself.
Title: Re: Prop Project: The Black-Bordered, Multicolored Afghan.
Post by: Julia99 on June 09, 2010, 07:10:55 PM
Apparently the afghan has left Collinsport altogether and now lives in L.A. on actresses bodies as dresses and other haute couture pieces

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/06/09/mary-kate-olsen-cate-blan_n_606010.html (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/06/09/mary-kate-olsen-cate-blan_n_606010.html)
Title: Re: Prop Project: The Black-Bordered, Multicolored Afghan.
Post by: Midnite on June 09, 2010, 10:11:52 PM
I'd go for a purse made out of the smaller squares, but haven't seen one.
Title: Re: Prop Project: The Black-Bordered, Multicolored Afghan.
Post by: Mysterious Benefactor on June 09, 2010, 11:10:30 PM
Quote from: Julia99 on June 09, 2010, 07:10:55 PM
now lives in L.A. on actresses bodies as dresses and other haute couture pieces

OMG - that's amazing (or insane, depnding on how one wants to look at it.  [b003]) Who knew?


And I don't believe THE PEN and either afghan have ever shared a scene. More's the pity.  [ghost_sad]
Title: Re: Prop Project: The Black-Bordered, Multicolored Afghan.
Post by: Lydia on June 30, 2010, 09:30:34 AM
The afghan was draped over a sofa or chair or something in the Old House living room in episode 1032.
Title: Re: Prop Project: The Black-Bordered, Multicolored Afghan.
Post by: katrinavantassel on July 01, 2010, 01:06:11 AM
I hate to be a Dark Shadows geek, but I would love to make an afghan just like the multi-talented multi-colored afghan. Unfortunately, my fingers tingle after holding something after awhile so I think it would take me a long time to finish. Case in point - minus the tingly fingers - I started an afghan for my son when he was born and I finished it 15 years later.
Title: Re: Prop Project: The Black-Bordered, Multicolored Afghan.
Post by: Lydia on July 01, 2010, 08:46:46 AM
Yeah, making a Dark Shadows afghan would be very satisfying, not to mention easier than making a wolf's head cane.

Incidentally, I saw a headline the other day that read something like "Senate Debates Afghan Deadline" and my first thought was, "They're making afghans in the Senate?"

In episode 1033, we saw more of the afghan draped over the sofa in the Old House as it was in 1032.  It sat there unused in both episodes, and I'll bet it was just itching to wrap itself lovingly around Barnabas.
Title: Re: Prop Project: The Black-Bordered, Multicolored Afghan.
Post by: Lydia on October 05, 2010, 08:38:24 AM
The primary afghan continued to be folded over the sofa in the Loomis House living room for the rest of parallel time.  Here are the episodes in which I noticed it:

1034 
1036
1042
1043
1045
1046
1046
1047
1048
1049
1059
1060
Title: Re: Prop Project: The Black-Bordered, Multicolored Afghan.
Post by: MagnusTrask on October 05, 2010, 08:44:48 AM
I'm surprised that it wasn't violently and horribly killed.   Good thing Barnabas has a firm no-help-afghans policy.
Title: Re: Prop Project: The Black-Bordered, Multicolored Afghan.
Post by: Mysterious Benefactor on October 08, 2010, 06:36:21 PM
Quote from: MagnusTrask on October 05, 2010, 08:44:48 AM
I'm surprised that it wasn't violently and horribly killed.   Good thing Barnabas has a firm no-help-afghans policy.

 [lghy]  But sadly true at the same time...
Title: Re: Prop Project: The Black-Bordered, Multicolored Afghan.
Post by: Lydia on April 07, 2011, 11:05:57 AM
This afghan is used several times at the beginning of 1840, both on Daniel's bed in the Tower room and  folded over the back of the sofa in the drawing room.  If I remember correctly, they never actually use it on anybody in the drawing room, and then after a while it's no longer seen on the sofa.

It also is seen in Daphne's room in episode 1129, before she comes to live at Collinwood.