DARK SHADOWS FORUMS
Members' Mausoleum => Calendar Events / Announcements Archive => Calendar Events / Announcements '24 I => Calendar Events / Announcements '06 I => Topic started by: Nancy on March 27, 2006, 07:35:11 PM
-
I recieved an email this morning informing me that Dan Curtis died this morning at 6:15a.m. pacific time. I confirmed this with Jim Pierson.
ShadowGram will have the available details.
Nancy
-
This is a very sad day today. My deepest sympathy goes out to the Curtis family. Rest in Peace Dan and wife Norma.
Love,
Jeff
-
This is devastating news. There are no adequate words to convey my sadness.
-
A friend of mine noted to me a few moments ago, and I agree - imagine what it must be like for the two surviving Curtis daughters to lose both parents within a week's time?
Nancy
-
A friend of mine noted to me a few moments ago, and I agree - imagine what it must be like for the two surviving Curtis daughters to lose both parents within a week's time?
I was thinking the very same thing. I have a friend who lost both her parent's w/in 10 days too. :'(
-
My condolences to his kin. He was one of the originals--a real maverick.
G.
-
So sad to hear. :(
-
This is a tragic day for the Curtis family, and for all of Curtis's fans. :'( My prayers are with his family. Does anyone know what it was that he died of?
ProfStokes
-
Wow, how strange this happens just as I'm working on the Births and Deaths sections of CollinWiki. It's almost like a plot from the show itself!
R.I.P. Dan and Norma. Together forever.
-
I am feeling a little shocked and stunned. I like many here feel great sympathy for the Curtis family.
I think that Dan got a bit of our enthusiasm and admiration for his work when he appeared at the director's guild. I'm sorry he never got to a full festival to see how far that extended. While like everyone here, Dark Shadows is my favorite, but I also have such a fondness for his other Gothic pieces and on down from "Jekyll and Hyde" through "The Love Letter."
I hope the industry itself acknowledges the loss of one of its true mavericks. Who knows, maybe there's making a great new Kolchak film for us at the great studio in the sky.
Michael
-
I'm sorry to hear of Dan's death. My heart goes out to his daughters and family. Elmont...
-
My condolences to all his family and friends. He has left a tangible legacy for all of us, and so few people have the luck, pluck or opportunity to do so. The man is gone, but the vision will never die. Requiat in Pace.
Petofi
-
The obits have started coming in and, apparently, Mr. Curtis had been diagnosed with a brain tumor some months ago.
Petofi
-
The story hit the AP Wire within the past half hour. Here's a link (http://www.sanluisobispo.com/mld/sanluisobispo/news/14199200.htm) to one newspaper site carrying the AP piece.
-
I'm very stunned, I e-mailed Stuart Manning from http://www.collinwood.net to tell the shocking news.
-
That is very sad news.
-
This is just horrible news. His legacy will live on.
-
Thanks, Criseyde, for posting the obituary. All very sad.
G.
-
What are we going to do now?? He was the true "guiding light" of DS, and who will be able to bring DS back in a new version?? I can only hope we can find people to carry DS on, like the Star Trek people after Gene Roddenberry died. It is so sad, especially right after Norma Curtis' passing. Kinda like Johnny Cash dying right after June Carter......
-
Iam so sad and so shocked. i have been crying since i heard the news. i just dont know what to say. My prayers go out to his family and to his friends. I just wish that he would have came to a fest.
Evan Hanley
-
My heart is broken at this news...I am a 42 year old married man and...I am emotional and crying too...My condolences to his daughters and entire family. TV's greatest visionary has left us to be reunited with his loving wife. I am just so sad....nothing else to say...Kevin S.
-
I read on one of my DS Yahoogroups that he passed away this morning at 6:15am. It's sad as his wife died about two weeks ago.
-
this is such shocking news.
so many members of our d.s. family are no longer with us it's just too sad.
i hope there will be a fitting tribute at the fest.it's a shame he won't see the 40th anniversary of his creation. :(
-
A toast to an innovative mind....my deepest condolences to his family. He will be missed, but what he helped create will live on forever...
-
A very sad day.
-
:-[...
There MUST be a tribute at the upcoming fest...
-
The obit in Variety (http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117940413?categoryid=25&cs=1&nid=2590) notes that: "Donations may be made to Dr. Jeff Cummings Alzheimer's Research, UCLA Alzheimer's Disease Center, 710 Westwood Plaza, Suite 20238, Los Angeles, 90095."
-
What an especially sad day for his children. :'(
Dan Curtis has been an entertainment source for me since I was a little girl - all those great Goth movies, "War and Remembrance"....although "Dark Shadows" has always held the most special place in my heart.
A real pioneer he was. He will be missed.
Raising a toast of rum to the memory of a master...Godspeed, Dan.
-
Frankly, I never knew much about the man's personal life. But I stand in awe of a 54-year-marriage, especially in Hollywood, and the entertainment industry.
What could have been more fitting than leaving this life virtually hand in hand?
Godspeed indeed.
-
I'm stunned and so deeply saddened. I can't even think of anything else to say.
Gerard
-
Heartbreaking news. Time does a terrible march onward.
-
Rest in peace, DC (as Grayson Hall would call him)-
You breathed new life into the genre of daytime television 40 years ago, and we're all here, still celebrating your genius.
-Sandor
-
This is indeed sad news. Dan Curtis gave us so much. May he and his wife rest in peace. My heart goes out to his daughters. :'(
-
Wow. I was utterly shocked to read the news online a fe minutes ago and then incredibly sad.
Honestly, all images of Dan in my mind are from the Dark Shadows era photographs I've seen of him. I can't picture him any other way.
Thanks for everything Mr. Curtis, you will be sorely missed by this fan and many others.
-
I must have increase psychic abilities or something. I'm not at all shocked by this news. I felt it was imminent once Norma died on March 7. He was very close to her and just about could not stop mentioning her during the TV Museum Tribute in 2004. Apparently, she was his muse. Without your muse of 54 years, it's kinda hard to continue on. Plus, it sounded like he was pretty sick.
Especially when two spouses are very close, it's not unusual for the other spouse to die soon after the first one passes away. I did not expect it this quick but I did expect it.
My heart does go out to the family. It's hard loosing a parent at any age under any circumstance.
As far as Dark Shadows is concerned, it will live on in us. I am not at all fearful for the franchise.
-
I am completely shocked and saddened by this news. I just found out. I didn't realize Dan was ill. He was a genius, and one of a kind. He is with his wife now. My sympathies go out to their daughters.
Danielle
-
Especially when two spouses are very close, it's not unusual for the other spouse to die soon after the first one passes away. I did not expect it this quick but I did expect it.
My heart does go out to the family. It's hard loosing a parent at any age under any circumstance.
As far as Dark Shadows is concerned, it will live on in us. I am not at all fearful for the franchise.
That was almost exactly how I felt when I heard the news...
-
To the man who in 1966 invisioned a daytime Gothic Soap Opera to be called Dark Shadows that has become more than a cult classic . RIP DAN :(
-
I was very shocked and saddened to learn this news this afternoon. We've lost our founding father. I only hope his legacy will carry on. At least he and his wife did not have to be apart for very long.
-
Very sad news - I've just posted some obituary material on my site.
-
This is very sad news, indeed. [bawl] I was so shocked to hear the news, which I found out relatively late, since I worked Monday. [shkdg] They had NO story on the 11:00 News - and I was watching an ABC station, too. I decided to check my e-mails before going to bed, and found out. [cryg] I did not know he was sick. It is such a shame he did not live for the 40th Anniversary of our beloved soap, his creation - Dark Shadows. I hoped that Dan Curtis might show up at the next Fest... but, alas, that is not to be. [sad3] May he and his beloved wife Norma rest in peace. [Candle] Dark Shadows WILL live on through us. [winkg]
----- Sally -----
8) [coolg]
-
Just curious, outside of this board and the AOL news, has anyone seen much mention of Dan's passing in the general media. As of this morning, almost 9:00 am ET, its not on the IMDB, and was not on last evening's "Entertainment Tonight" or ABC news. I did not hear it mentioned on any radio news coming to work today. Has anyone noted it trickling out to the media?
Not to be cruel or insensitive, but Johnny Carson's death seem to linger on for weeks on ET. Can't Dan get a mention?
Michael
-
Here's the L.A. Times obit (http://www.latimes.com/news/obituaries/la-me-curtis28mar28,0,6280308,full.story?coll=la-home-obituaries), which includes quotes from Curtis' daughter, Cathy.
-
I've posted an obit/tribute on the site.
www.nightofdarkshadows.net (http://www.nightofdarkshadows.net)
-
Nice tribute Darren. Really nice! :)
-
Wonderful heartfelt tributes, Stuart and Darren!
As for the Times obit, was it necessary for Ms. Nelson to use campy AND rabid (as in "rabid fan base") in discussing Curtis' DS involvement? ::)
-
As for the Times obit, was it necessary for Ms. Nelson to use campy AND rabid (as in "rabid fan base") in discussing Curtis' DS involvement? ::)
If that bugs you, then you definitely shouldn't read this article (http://www.norwalkcitizen-news.com/opinion/ci_3632277) from the Norwalk Citizen-News. It's not a Curtis obit. It's an opinion piece on television's negative effects, and it refers to DS as "a violent goth soap opera that had no intellectually redeeming qualities." :o
-
From the article..."I was forced to nix their Barney habit when I found that the purple dinosaur's annoyingly chipper demeanor made me want to add vodka to my morning orange juice.""
Ironically, this sounds like the kind of zinger you'd come up with if writing such and article, LOL! ;)
-
Just curious, outside of this board and the AOL news, has anyone seen much mention of Dan's passing in the general media.
This was on zap2it.com, but I didn't see any mention of Curtis in my local apper or on the news:
'Winds of War,' 'Dark Shadows' Creator Dies - Dan Curtis was also behind 'Night Stalker' movies (http://www.zap2it.com/news/zap-obit-dancurtis,0,5271596.story?coll=zap-news-headlines)
ProfStokes
-
There was a piece on the front page of MSNBC's entertainment section for a brief period yesterday. It's since been bumped from the main page. They used the AP report.
Because of Curtis' background with golf programs, it was also reported on the PGA web site. Again, they used the AP article.
-
I have already posted about Dan`s death, but i want to say that he is a genius and he never got the credit he desrved. He gave us the greatest show on earth and that is ds. There never will be a better show then ds. You will be miss dan, but what u gave us will never die.
Evan
-
Just curious, outside of this board and the AOL news, has anyone seen much mention of Dan's passing in the general media. As of this morning, almost 9:00 am ET, its not on the IMDB, and was not on last evening's "Entertainment Tonight" or ABC news. I did not hear it mentioned on any radio news coming to work today. Has anyone noted it trickling out to the media?
It was on TVGuide.com today in the Entertainment News, which is where I first learned of it. I gasped aloud, I had no idea. How very sad.
-
It was mentioned in "Newsday" here in Metro New York, today.
-
As for the Times obit, was it necessary for Ms. Nelson to use campy AND rabid (as in "rabid fan base") in discussing Curtis' DS involvement? ::)
or this quote:
"The show also introduced a number of future stars, including Kate Jackson, John Karlen and Roger Davis [emphasis added]."
Roger Davis a future star? whaaat? :(
-
Just curious, outside of this board and the AOL news, has anyone seen much mention of Dan's passing in the general media. As of this morning, almost 9:00 am ET, its not on the IMDB, and was not on last evening's "Entertainment Tonight" or ABC news. I did not hear it mentioned on any radio news coming to work today. Has anyone noted it trickling out to the media?
It was on TVGuide.com today in the Entertainment News, which is where I first learned of it. I gasped aloud, I had no idea. How very sad.
From TV Guide .com
A DARKER-THAN-USUAL DAY AT COLLINWOOD: Dark Shadows creator Dan Curtis died yesterday at the age of 78, the Associated Press reports. The producer-director responsible for such miniseries as The Winds of War and War and Remembrance had been diagnosed with a brain tumor in December but, it seems, hung on until his wife passed away only weeks ago.
-
Two more links to articles:
Dan Curtis Stalks the Night No More (http://horror.about.com/b/a/255818.htm)
(features a fairly current photo)
"Dark Shadows" Creator Passes Away (http://www.filmfodder.com/fearfodder/archives/2006/03/dark_shadows_creator_passes_aw.shtml)
(this one refers to DS as "distinctive.")
-
Some of the articles about ol' Danny Boy are okay, but I can't help thinking that they are merely substandard news gossip fare.
Lets look back on the genious. It's funny, really. I have been watching some of DC's productions starring John Karlen - in fact - just watched "Trilogy of Terror" over the weekend.
I grew up on Dan Curtis" stuff.
I hope he is merrily enjoying life after death - if there is sush a thing.
I loved everything DC did.
I will miss him. I love Dark Shadows and I love the location stuff he did.
So here's to you, Dan Curtis,
SKOAL!
Janet
-
I came on to CE/A for another reason. When I saw this topic, I literally did NOT believe my eyes. I went to the other place, came back....and this is still here...
I'm very sad and shocked.
It's Tues evening; I watched news (NY & Philly) Monday a.m. & p.m, and Tues a.m. & p.m. Did not hear of Mr. Curtis' passing at all :'(
I too would like to hail the Curtis' for a 54 year marriage.
Patti
-
The horrorchannel has an article on Dan's passing. www.horrorchannel.com
-
I was shocked to hear this sad news. A friend emailed me at work to let me know. The man was a very special. Dark Shadows has brought happiness and new friendships into my life and literally helped me get through some pretty rough times. I know that this very talented and remarkable man was able to do so much to bring happiness into the lives of many others. May he and his wife rest in peace.
-
His passing was on the WENN News on the imdb. It did not mention Dark Shadows. http://imdb.com/news/wenn/2006-03-29/
-
It was on the CNN ticker on Monday and still on Tuesday. They mentioned "Winds of War" and "War and Remembrance," but also that he created Dark Shadows. They referred to it as the "offbeat soap opera Dark Shadows."
-
I find it VERY disconcerting [dsapg] that the death of Dan Curtis was not mentioned on my local ABC television and radio station news programs. I think the passing of Dan Curtis is VERY IMPORTANT, and deserves to be mentioned by them. Especially since Dark Shadows, Winds of War, and War and Rememberance originally aired on ABC TV. ::)
----- Sally -----[/size]
8) [coolg]
-
Wow. I'm just learning of this. So sorry....
Don't know if it's me or what, but doesn't it seem like a lot of people in the entertainment industry have been dying over the last few months?
Well, he gave us a great gift - the gift of Dark Shadows. And what with tapes and DVD's, it's a gift that keeps on giving.
I've never seen either of the War mini-series. Are they good? Anyone?
Yeah, I think it's probably more common than we realize - one spouse dying shortly after the other - particularly in long-time, happy marriages. My father went a few short weeks after his wife died.
Thank you Mr. Curtis [beer]
"Dark Shadows is a Dan Curtis production" -- something we heard every day. At some point they stopped doing that at the end of the show. Don't remember when though.
-
Very sad news. He can certainly say that he lived his life to the fullest, and left a legacy for all of us to enjoy.
Thanks Dan.
-
I find it VERY disconcerting [dsapg] that the death of Dan Curtis was not mentioned on my local ABC television and radio station news programs. I think the passing of Dan Curtis is VERY IMPORTANT, and deserves to be mentioned by them. Especially since Dark Shadows, Winds of War, and War and Rememberance originally aired on ABC TV. ::)[/size]
I have been disappointed by the lack acknowledgement of Dan's passing. I don't think Entertainment Tonight even mentioned it. It took two days to get the brief bottom of the news column on IMBD, I was so frustrated with them I emailed them yesterday to remind them of their omission. Honestly, I think Hoyt Curtain's passing got better notices. (He was the compoer of themesongs and music for Hannah Barbera cartoons. All the radio news stations were playing the "Scooby Doo" theme.) Dan's work is too significant for the scant mentions.
Michael [disgust]
-
New York Newsday I thought wrote an obituary fitting for a person of Dan's stature. They wrote of his five decade career as a producer,director and writer. Also mentioned was the fact that The Winds of War remains among TV's highest rated miniseries. They went on to mention his two TV movies Saving Milly and Our Fathers which aired in 2005. Elmont...
-
Meanwhile, in our local paper--- in the city where Dan Curtis was born and grew up and later made a couple of TV movies about--- there were only 3 measly paragraphs in the bottom right-hand corner of the obituary page, the first three of the AP obit. The gals whose obits mentioned their passions for bingo and knitting, and the dudes whose compelling interests included ESPN got more space. Oh well, at least the paragraphs mentioned the WW2 minis and "the offbeat soap opera" DS.
When I recall that in the days of WINDS OF WAR, this same paper gave him like an entire page and 1/2 article (which I am now so sorry I didn't clip and save!) it's rather sad. Dan Curtis could be seen as the modern equivalent of P.T. Barnum (whom this paper is always printing articles about, over 100 years after his death) but more gifted and who, thanks to TV, made a bigger national splash in his heyday, yet with some real messages to impart. A true showman in point of self-promotion, but SO much more--- there was much worthwhile besides just entertainment, thought there was plenty of that too.
Even in the growing world of the Internet, I don't believe there are that sort of driving force anymore--- that kind of individual just doesn't seem to be out there. The "freedom" of the 'net more or less eliminated the need for mavericks (a word often used in refernce to Mr. Curtis) or pioneers. And, granted, television fare has become more sophisticated or profane, depending on your PoV, perhaps due in part to Mr. Curtis's contributions. But face it, unless one not only is paying for cable, but also extra for Showtime, HBO, etc., immediate access is limited to those willing to pay for it (or run up their credit cards.)
The height of the miniseries era was still accessible to anyone who could afford a regular TV set with the 3 major networks. When they showed the highlights of WAR AND REMEMBRANCE at last year's convention, I was reminded for the first time in many years how really GOOD it (and WINDS OF WAR) was (IMO, many of their flaws were largely due to the original books upon which they were very faithfully based), and available, back in the day, to anyone willing to put in the time. Dan Curtis spent the better part of a decade on the WW2 minseries projects, a television achievement untried before then, and probably not equalled since. Between that and the ongoing popularity of DS in all its incarnations, while not as ubiquitous as the "Star Trek" franchise--- he left a fine legacy of having having created and fostered these, and some other "good stuff"... Well OK, not everything he ever did was a masterpiece, but so what? Win some, lose some, but when he did win, Dan Curtis won BIG.
-
A second, paid obituary appeared in today's LA Times. It's archived at legacy.com, though the final 1/3 appears to not have made it online. However, as his wife's did, the page has a link to a Guest Book.
http://www.legacy.com/latimes/Obituaries.asp?Page=LifeStory&PersonId=17265555
-
Death of a TV Horror Master (http://www.eonline.com/News/Items/0,1,18672,00.html?fdnews) is at E-Online. This was pretty good.
-
Alas I had already heard about this from a friend. Sad news anyway. Not much I can add to what everyone has said here. It's a great loss and your heart goes out to their two daughters for their double loss. :'(
I find it VERY disconcerting [dsapg] that the death of Dan Curtis was not mentioned on my local ABC television and radio station news programs. I think the passing of Dan Curtis is VERY IMPORTANT, and deserves to be mentioned by them. Especially since Dark Shadows, Winds of War, and War and Rememberance originally aired on ABC TV.[/size]
This is a very good point, Sally. I think that Trilogy of Terror was also an ABC production, though I may well be wrong about that. Guess ABC is not too appreciative. A pity when they are quick to trumpet Winds of War and War and Rememberance as major prestige and moneymaking projects for them. Just as a point of interest, the only TV station I saw note this in any way was the crawl on CNN. To the best of my knowledge, NONE of the entertainment news shows gave this so much as a ten second blurb.
-
I do hope he is given mention at the Emmeys and the TVLAnd awards
RIP Dan & Norma
LdyAnne
-
Oh, this news is just too sad!!! I learned about it via a phone call from one of my oldest friends (also a Dark Shadows fan). Haven't been able to post until just today. :'(
But whoever said DC lived his life to the fullest - isn't that the true measure of a life well lived?!
My condolences to the Curtis's daughters, and to the legions of fans...
-
I can't believe he's died...from all the interviews I've seen, he seemed like such a strong, willful person who would live past 100. Truly a terrible loss.
-
Several more links to articles:
These first two are mostly noteworthy for the fact they appear on the Internet edition of Malaysia's leading English-language newspaper, The Star, and the North Korea Times, respectively. Curtis' passing is apparently international news:
TV producer Dan Curtis dies (http://www.star-ecentral.com/tvnradio/tracks/tracks.asp?file=archives/tracks/2006/3/28TVproducer&date=3/28/2006)
'Dark Shadows' Dan Curtis dead at 78 (http://story.northkoreatimes.com/p.x/ct/9/cid/dd8845aa60952db2/id/2c089c4b0ecd92de/)
An extremely nice article from E! Online (which also features an extremely recent photo taken during the Our Fathers publicity):
Death of a TV Horror Master (http://www.eonline.com/News/Items/0,1,18672,00.html?fdnews)
From Fangoria:
RIP Dan Curtis (http://www.fangoria.com/news_article.php?id=5860)
-
My mother recently gave me some sympathy cards to go thru that she was sent after my father's death. It made me realize how much has happened in the "DS world" since then(2001) that would have bothered him. I wonder how much the "world of DS" will change now that Mr Curtis is gone. I can't help but wonder how my dad would have felt about everything that has happened. All the actors who have passed, the WTC being attacked, Mr Curtis passing.... I really feel for his daughters and the rest of his family and my thoughts are with them.
-
While I was very sad to hear of the death of Dan Curtis, I was moved by the fact that he and his wife had had such a long marriage and that they passed away so close together. It was almost like an aunt and uncle of mine who died a few years ago. She was suffering from something similar to Alzheimer's and when she finally passed away my uncle (her husband of 50+ years) followed her a few weeks later. It was like he was willing himself to stay just long enough to make sure she was no longer in need of his help.
So, here's to Dan Curtis - God bless him for having whatever combination of creativity, imagination and intestinal fortitude it took back in 1966 to present us with that wonderful collection of gothic tales. I hope he realized how much we all appreciated it then and now!
May he and his wife rest together in peace.
-
I do hope he is given mention at the Emmeys and the TVLAnd awards
I'm sure he will, on the Daytime Emmy's too.
-
Question--has anyone informed Jonathan? You'd think he'd mention it on his website the same way KLS did on hers. I mean, DC *did* change the course of his career and everything. [hdscrt]
-
I do hope he is given mention at the Emmeys and the TVLAnd awards
Unfortunately, last week I was speaking to another cousin from this board who attended the TV Land Awards, and he said Dan Curtis was not mentioned. Neither were Dennis Weaver, Darren McGavin, or Don Knotts! I certainly hope that the Emmys present a better tribute to these TV greats.
ProfStokes
-
Question--has anyone informed Jonathan?
Yep, the very day in fact.
You'd think he'd mention it on his website the same way KLS did on hers. I mean, DC *did* change the course of his career and everything.
You are assuming that nothing was said or done privately. I don't think the lack of acknowledgment of an event on a website indicates anything. Afterall, David Selby attended the Curtis funeral but makes no mention of the passing on his website. I don't think other actors have made any mention of it on their sites.
Also, Curtis didn't cast Frid as Barnabas. It was Sproat and Costello who put Frid in the role and wrote Barnabas as a totally different character than what Curtis had in mind. Curtis was in Europe at the time and had little to do with all that.
At any rate, Frid's goal - as he stated in a 1961 interview while in summerstock in New York - was to get all the acting experience he could in order to teach acting at a college. He also said in that same interview he had no interest in being a "star" or a celebrity of any kind. This explains why he basically left the business soon after DS was cancelled. It also explains why he didn't want to be in succeeding DS movies or take over the title of a horror star in the movies which he could have easily done. He didn't want to.
Curtis was an ambitious and imaginative producer and director, no question, but Barnabas was cast and created by those left in charge during Curtis' long absence in Europe. The Barnabas Curtis wanted was the one you saw in HODS.
Nancy
-
I knew I forgot to add something to the previous post - ::)
JF had added a very funny sketch to his homepage but when he heard about DC passing away, he took it down so as to not distract from the mourning fans would be undergoing.
nancy
-
I don't think other actors have made any mention of it on their sites.
KLS did. Can't speak for any of the other actors sites though as I didn't look at their sites. But I happened to be on the Pomegranite site looking for a specific book to purchase and there it was on the home page, which made me wonder about and go to Jonathan's page.
Also, Curtis didn't cast Frid as Barnabas. It was Sproat and Costello who put Frid in the role and wrote Barnabas as a totally different character than what Curtis had in mind. Curtis was in Europe at the time and had little to do with all that.
Yes, I know all this, we all do. Nevertheless, he was his boss regardless of how he got hired or who hired him. I think it would have been a nice gesture for *all* the stars w/sites to offer their condolances, knowing that the fans are looking at their sites, IMHO.
At any rate, Frid's goal - as he stated in a 1961 interview while in summerstock in New York - was to get all the acting experience he could in order to teach acting at a college.
Hmm, curious he didn't do just that after DS ended. Wonder why?
-
KLS did. Can't speak for any of the other actors sites though as I didn't look at their sites. But I happened to be on the Pomegranite site looking for a specific book to purchase and there it was on the home page, which made me wonder about and go to Jonathan's page.
Yes, I know she did - didn't address that as you had already mentioned it.
Yes, I know all this, we all do. Nevertheless, he was his boss regardless of how he got hired or who hired him. I think it would have been a nice gesture for *all* the stars w/sites to offer their condolances, knowing that the fans are looking at their sites, IMHO.
My own feeling about such things is that you offer sympathy to the people directly if you are going to do it at all. You don't do it to impress other people. I happen to know sympathy was offered directly to the family.
Another point is that the success of Dark Shadows is what made Dan Curtis the force he became as a producer and director. He wasn't any big deal prior to that. Curtis continued to make money off DS merchandise and those whose likeness was used didn't earn any extra income from it. I think everyone involved in Dark Shadows - creator and the actors - benefited equally though some benefited more than others. If Curtis' original vision of the hateful, straightforward vampire villain had indeed been played out, would DS have been what we know it to have been? We'll never know.
At any rate, Frid's goal - as he stated in a 1961 interview while in summerstock in New York - was to get all the acting experience he could in order to teach acting at a college.
Hmm, curious he didn't do just that after DS ended. Wonder why?
Actually he did - in Mexico where he lived for a time and after that he did teach privately and then in acting workshops while touring with the one man shows for eight years. I know because I assisted in many of those workshops and sat in on some of the ongoing classes. That's when JF told me of other times he had given lectures in schools and worked with students but didn't have it publicized all over the place beforehand. He attempted to teach acting and voice in New York during the late 1980s at the theater I was working at as a teacher but too many potential students were more interested in being with Barnabas than learning the craft. It seemed that every screwball came out to sign up for the classes. ::) So all that was abandoned. JF settled for teaching primarily voice privately. He continued to teach voice in Canada and work in schools conducting Shakespeare classes and seminars. He got the best of both worlds in the end.:)
Nancy
-
I think it would have been a nice gesture for *all* the stars w/sites to offer their condolances, knowing that the fans are looking at their sites, IMHO.
I feel the same as Nancy. Sadness for another person's grief that's expressed publicly for the purpose of impressing whomever might read it has the opposite effect on me-- I think it smacks of insincerity.
-
I feel the same as Nancy. Sadness for another person's grief that's expressed publicly for the purpose of impressing whomever might read it has the opposite effect on me-- I think it smacks of insincerity.
I also believe that sometimes we tend to forget that we didn't know Dan Curtis personally and few of us ever had any contact with him. He never attended a festival. He created some great shows and he was loved for that. The loss and grief is felt by his daughters and other family members in a real, direct way. They are the ones who need comforting, especially in light of the fact both Mr. and Mrs. Curtis suffered protracted illness - Mrs. Curtis especially. That's hard on the people around them.
I wonder if how many people even though to express sympathy to Jim Pierson who worked side by side with Dan Curtis and knew Mrs. Curtis very well for about twenty years? The personal, direct sentiment what matters most to those who are grieving for the loss of a loved one. Public tributes are certainly lovely but I withhold judgment from anyone who doesn't choose to go that route.
Nancy
-
I do hope he is given mention at the Emmeys and the TVLAnd awards
Unfortunately, last week I was speaking to another cousin from this board who attended the TV Land Awards, and he said Dan Curtis was not mentioned. Neither were Dennis Weaver, Darren McGavin, or Don Knotts! I certainly hope that the Emmys present a better tribute to these TV greats.
The TV Land awards were a few days before he died.
-
He attempted to teach acting and voice in New York during the late 1980s at the theater I was working at as a teacher but too many potential students were more interested in being with Barnabas than learning the craft. It seemed that every screwball came out to sign up for the classes. ::) So all that was abandoned.
I did not know this, thanks for sharing that. I never even thought about the possibility that nutjobs would only sign up for his class because of who he played, but that makes total sense. It's unfortunate that some fans can't separate the man from the role isn't it? Oh well, what are you going to do? :-
-
Buzz, most people wouldn't think about that happening (the teaching thng) but it does. Many famous actors (far more famous and accomplished than JF) want to teach and can usually only do so by having private classes and accepting references from other professionals who know an aspiring actor or an actor who wants to study the craft more. If a well known actor puts an ad in a trade paper advertising acting classes fans of that actor will sign up in order to be near that actor, not study. So it's a definite hindrance once you are famous and then want to teach. It was all too much hassle for JF to pursue after DS - being a drama professor at a college or university.
I'll tell you a sorta funny story (though off topic and it was humiliating at the time) - I was working through the Creative Place Theater and the Writer's Theater in New York City years ago as a teacher and one of the program leaders wanted Jonathan to come in an talk about teaching there. I arranged it and told her I thought he would be good and the students would like him. He did and was pretty excited about it but even the program leader turned into a lunatic and yakked all about the days of watching DS. That was fine for about ten minutes but a half hour of that and never asking JF anything about his thoughts on teaching students pretty much turned him off that attempt and he taught a few people privately thereafter.
Nancy
[I did not know this, thanks for sharing that. I never even thought about the possibility that nutjobs would only sign up for his class because of who he played, but that makes total sense. It's unfortunate that some fans can't separate the man from the role isn't it? Oh well, what are you going to do? :-
-
I spoke with John Karlen recently. He was a paul bearer. He was saddened by the loss, particularly for Dan's daughters.
A movie magazine that I subscribe to: "Classic Images" will have a big nice obit for Dan and I will scan it and share it with ya'll.
Janet
-
I spoke with John Karlen recently. He was a paul bearer.
David Selby was also a pallbearer, and Jim Pierson. There's a bit more about the memorial service on www.collinwood.net (http://www.collinwood.net).
-
i not shocked by the news i lost my dad last year after a five month bout of cancer but i do feel sad
but also glad that he had a good life and saw his show live on in all our hearts. it does make me feel
that life is a gift and we have to enjoy each minute.Thank you Dan for all The Great DS and all the
joy that show brought to me hope they all gave you a great welcome in DS heaven! :)
jennifer
-
Nice tribute Darren. Really nice! :)
I have to agree, Darren, very fitting tribute, and it is nice that Dan got to see some of the restored footage, that is a comfort.
I do admit to being tired of hearing Jin Pierson's name, though,,,,
-
As for the Times obit, was it necessary for Ms. Nelson to use campy AND rabid (as in "rabid fan base") in discussing Curtis' DS involvement? ::)
But Midnite, threre are a minority of fans who ARE rabid, and breath and eat DS, making it the prime focus of their lives!!
-
Wonderful heartfelt tributes, Stuart and Darren!
As for the Times obit, was it necessary for Ms. Nelson to use campy AND rabid (as in "rabid fan base") in discussing Curtis' DS involvement? ::)
But Midnite, threre are a minority of fans who ARE rabid, and breath and eat DS, making it the prime focus of their lives!!
There's no getting around the fact that the term "rabid" is a negative commentary. One could just as easily call fans "loyal to a fault".....but that wouldn't have the negative connotation the speaker actually means to imply.
-
But Midnite, threre are a minority of fans who ARE rabid, and breath and eat DS, making it the prime focus of their lives!!
Oh, I agree with you there. I recall a fan proclaiming to a Fest panel of DS actors that she could not get out bed without DS (and it isn't the first time I've heard similar comments during Q&As). The audience tittered and a few of the actors seemed to squirm a bit because you BELIEVED her. I wonder how the poor dear is doing with the show off the air? Anyway, being a fan of something already implies that you're ardent about it; the word is, after all, a shortened form of fanatic. So a rabid fan would be excessively fanatical like the one you've described. Not that I'm passing judgment on anyone that would make DS their central focus since it apparently fills some need in their life, but as you said, a minority of the show's fan base feels that way yet it has colored the public's perception of the average DS fan.
And it's prejudice, if you ask me. A small minority of fans painting their entire upper body the colors of their favorite football team when it's 10° below doesn't lead to any media depiction of that team's fan base as "rabid." But I'm not bitter. :P ;)
-
Regarding the topics of the Curtis memorial and so-called rabid fans, I was wondering if anyone heard anything about "crashers" at the memorial service. This might not be a true story, but I recall hearing that a rather "enthusiastic" fan showed up at another memorial service for the sole purpose of obtaining autographs and snapshots of whatever DS cast members happened to be there. When the memorial was announced for DC, I immediately thought about that incident and hoped for his family's sake that no such events would occur.
This sort of thing is by no means exclusive to DS. Apparently, funerals are considered to be excellent opportunities for celebrity sightings among the most enthusiastic of fans (not to mention the papparazzi)...
-
People like that aren't fans. The correct term for them would be "ghouls". Family members and actual friends and neighbors have a place at a funeral. Others outside that inner circle might be welcome at a memorial service. People who are only attending to gawk and ask for autographs should be shown the door.
-
And it's prejudice, if you ask me. A small minority of fans painting their entire upper body the colors of their favorite football team when it's 10° below doesn't lead to any media depiction of that team's fan base as "rabid." But I'm not bitter. :P ;)
You're also not alone in noticing the distinction in treatment. It comes up in Henry Jenkins' Textual Poachers, which is the go-to text if you're interested in academic discourse on media fandom.
The standard argument that you hear from folks is that sports are "real" whereas media fandom is built around a fantasy or fictional world, but that all goes to hell when you start thinking about sports fans participating in fantasy leagues, and there actually is fan fiction based on sports figures.
When I taught my freshman composition course centered on fandom, the department asked me to include more material about sports fans. Other than articles on their buying habits or on soccer riots in Europe, it was very difficult to find anything that treated sports fans as oddballs that I could use in the course reader.
-
Soap Opera Digest mentioned the passing of Dan Curtis on Page 13 in the March 18, 2006 issue. The text, in the REAL-LIFE STATUS column, follows.
DARK Day: DARK SHADOWS creator Dan Curtis died on March 27 from a brain tumor. He was 78. His late wife, Norma Mae Klein, had perished 20 days earlier from heart failure. Curtis also directed the TV miniseries WAR AND REMEMBERANCE and horror movies Burnt Offerings and Trilogy of Terror.
----- Sally -----
[coolg]