I think a more important episode would be the one in which that black-lined, quilty-patched afgan (the one seen on Maggie's couch on today's 1968 episode stills) first appeared...
Yes, but the afgan!...it's the central motif behind every aspect of Dark Shadows!......It's the one unifying image that ties in all characters and plotlines. I rest my case.
Not August 4th, the date of NIGHT OF DARK SHADOWS Premiered?
i think when i first watched the storyline i sort of actually got into it.
I defy anyone to name another inanimate prop on DS that is so central to the action.
On the other hand, don't even get me started on the mighty phallic symbolism of the silver filigree pen
While I'm all for the dicussion of symbolism or even implied symbolism, when it comes to the afghan, I'm sorry, but attributing a symbolic meaning to how often it shows up - actually, one might say how it shows up *too* often - is just too much of a stretch, IMNSHO. Indeed, some people may want to believe that it's the same afghan that's baring witness to centuries of trials, tribulations and tragedy, but I'm here to tell you at last that is quite simply not the case. No, no, no, no! The sad and unbridled truth is that there were possibly thousands of afghans produced with that same exact pattern in Collinsport because it was the only pattern the people of the area were able to come up with and successfully execute. The idea that seemingly the same afghan shows up so often is an errorenous one due simply and unequivocally to a colossal lack of imagination and talent on the part of the afghan makers in Collinsport. Sorry, but that's the reality. Face up to it. Accept it. Live with it. And what's even sadder is that the people of Collinsport became so accustomed to seeing that same pattern of afghan that after a time they ceased to even register its existence in their lives. [sad3]
On the other hand, don't even get me started on the mighty phallic symbolism of the silver filigree pen and the very real resounding repercussions it brought into the lives of the people who were unfortunate enough to have encountered it during its time as a central star in the DS spotlight. Their life paths were unquestionably forever alterred...
I'm sure if Donne were alive to see Dark Shadows, he would have to agree that *the* afgan is, in fact, a metaphysical conceit.
As to the pen...I don't know, I just don't know. I only know (to quote Julia) about *afgan*, for I've never seen the pen plot.
On the other hand, don't even get me started on the mighty phallic symbolism of the silver filigree pen
I KNEW we weren't really talking about a stupid pen !!!!!!!!!!!!
I defy anyone to name another inanimate prop on DS that is so central to the action. You won't be able to because, quite simply, there is no other!! Not even the animated Hand of Count Petofi or the Head of Judah Zachery can hope to compare. They are forever consigned to live in the silver filigree pen's shadow, never to know the awe the silver filigree pen has inspired in generation after generation of DS fans across the world!!LOL...you guys are crackin' me up with this topic. ;D
You've never seen THE silver filigree pen plot - and yet you dare to doubt its power? :o For shame! >:(
[spoiler];D[/spoiler]
No, no, no, no! That afghan is a mere pretender to the throne. It simply sits around in scenes purely as set decoration. It can't hold a candle to the silver filigree pen! No, no, no, no!!
Hmm...Barnabas' cane is pretty notable/symbolic too ... what of Julia's trusty medallion?
As to the pen...I don't know, I just don't know. I only know (to quote Julia) about *afgan*, for I've never seen the pen plot.You've never seen THE silver filigree pen plot - and yet you dare to doubt its power? :o For shame! >:(
[spoiler];D[/spoiler]
I think you guys have all been hitting the "joy" juice!
A bubblegum card set based on the pen (not the storyline, JUST the pen in different 'poses') was in the works back in the 60s.
All the cards vanished the day they went to the printer. No trace of the cards was ever found. Recently, a Dark Shadows: The Silver Filigree Pen video game was planned, but the game developers all died under mysterious circumstances... Drowned, they did. Ayuh.
PS - Silver filigree pen avatar anyone?
It is little known that the origin of Barnabas Collins lay in a desperate attempt by TPTB to come up with something as popular as the Silver Filigree Fountain Pen storyline. But sadly, even with the renown of Barnabas, the show never regained the pop-cultural cachet it held during that fabulous Autumn of 1966.
I heard that Jackie Susann planned a sequel to Valley of the Dolls, Summit of the Silver Pen, but ABC brass got wind of it, played hardball and threatened to sue.
The long-believed-to-be-lost print of the 1967 feature film, Pen of Dark Shadows, MAY have surfaced in the lower depths of Forrest J. Ackerman's 16 mm film collection. Watch this space for further details.
I can't help but wonder if this discussion has somehow attracted the attentions of sinister persons, with evil intent.
In any case, I told my husband to skip the Waterman pen this year, and think "Tiffany earrings" instead. No point putting him in harm's way.........
I told my husband to skip the Waterman pen this year, and think "Tiffany earrings" instead. No point putting him in harm's way......... [sure]
Whoa! the winning bid on that pen was $215.22! G.
I've heard rumors that Pomegranate Press' 40th anniversary gift to DS fans is a new book called POISON PEN, which focuses on the unexpected rise in popularity of the silver filigree pen and the effects it had on the show and the cast members. Unlike Pomegranate Press' other DS books, POISON PEN is said to contain stories of behind the scenes battles and out of control egos. Among its revelations:
- One cast member refused to work with the pen, claiming it purposely "inked" his/her fingers during rehearsals.
- ABC petitioned the Television Academy to institute a special Emmy category for "Outstanding Performance by a Writing Implement in a Daytime Drama Series," a move which offended the rest of the DS cast and crew.
- Lingering resentment for the pen led to the decision not to syndicate the first ten months of DS.
Lavishly illustrated with color and B&W photographs (many published for the first time), POISON PEN is said to be one of the most shocking and fascinating books ever written about a television series, and will debut at the 2006 Fest.
Someone in another post joked about there being a time travel plotline to pre-historic times and seeing the afghan draped over a rock in a cave!LMAO!! [8_2_73] That's hilarious!
Any idea who actually HAS the pen OR the afgan?