DARK SHADOWS FORUMS
Members' Mausoleum => Calendar Events / Announcements Archive => Calendar Events / Announcements '24 I => Calendar Events / Announcements '06 II => Topic started by: Midnite on July 08, 2006, 09:12:27 PM
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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 153. July 8, 2006.
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Hello, Dark Shadows Fan,
ShadowGram (SG), The Official Newsletter & News Source for Dark Shadows (DS), announces the following breaking news. SG and the DS Festival also ask online and postal-mail fans to participate in a new fan survey.
*** NANCY BARRETT DVD TAPING SESSION
Nancy has presented her special cabaret shows at recent DS Festivals. She'll perform at the Fest's 40th Anniversary Celebration in Brooklyn on Sat., Aug. 26.
She tells SG, "I am making a DVD for sale at the convention" and "we're shooting the DVD on the 11th of July. Folks in the NYC area who would be interested in seeing the DVD filmed, it's happening at the West Bank Cafe, 407 West 42nd Street at 9th Avenue, on Tues., July 11, between 2 pm and 4 pm (or til 5 pm if necessary). DS fans are welcome and should let me know they're coming via the email address NBKNYC@aol.com."
In her musical program, Nancy sings, dances, and shares her own commentary, accompanied by her musical director Steven Silverstein. She plans to include her own special DS references and surprises.
Nancy played the roles of Carolyn, Millicent, Charity, Leticia, Melanie in "Dark Shadows," Carolyn in "House of DS," and Claire in "Night Of DS."
*** COMMEMORATIVE SPECIAL FAN SURVEY
To commemorate the 40th anniversary of the original series, the Dark Shadows Official Fan Club/Dark Shadows Festival is conducting the following fan poll in association with the ShadowGram Online Dark Shadows News Updates List.
Please note: There are no definite plans at this time to produce a new Dark Shadows. This survey is meant only as a means to measure fan interest in such a possibility.
Feel free to pass these questions along to other fans. E-mail replies should be e-mailed to ShadowGram@aol.com or briefly write your responses and send them directly by postal-mail to ShadowGram / Marcy Robin,. P.O. Box 1766, Temple City, CA 91780-7766.
Each e-mail address is limited to one response. All answers must be received no later than July 31, 2006.
Poll results will be announced at the 40th Anniversary Celebration, August 25-27 at the New York Marriott Hotel at the Brooklyn Bridge.
Please briefly answer these questions:
--- DARK SHADOWS SURVEY QUESTIONS
1. If a new DARK SHADOWS was to be made, would you prefer a feature film, weekly television series, or a television mini-series?
2. Which current actor(s) would you like to see play Barnabas Collins?
3. Which current actress(es) would you like to see play Victoria Winters?
4. Which current actress(es) would you like to see play Angelique?
5. Which current actor(s) would you like to see play Willie?
6. Which current actor(s) would you like to see play Elizabeth?
7. Which current actor(s) would you like to see play Roger?
8. Which current actress(es) would you like to see play Carolyn?
9. Which current actor(s) would you like to see play David?
10. Which original series actor(s) would you like to see play a different role?
*** DS 40TH ANNIVERSARY UPDATE & TENTATIVE SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
The DS Festival's Celebration of DS' 4 decades is being held at the NY Marriott Hotel at the Brooklyn Bridge, on August 25-27. The hotel is located at 333 Adams Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201. 1-718-246-7000.
Recent SG Online Updates to this List and the current SG #107 and SG #108 published newsletters have more specific details about the weekend.
Previously-announced Festival guests: DAVID SELBY, LARA PARKER, NANCY BARRETT, JOHN KARLEN, JERRY LACY, KATHRYN LEIGH SCOTT, MARIE WALLACE, DIANA MILLAY, DONNA McKECHNIE, BETSY DURKIN MATTHES, CHRIS PENNOCK, LISA RICHARDS, CONARD FOWKES, STUART GOODMAN, MARILYN ROSS (Wife of DS novelist Dan Ross), JAMES BUTLER and LES SCHECTER (DS publicists for ABC-TV).
More guests to be announced. All guests are subject to professional and personal commitments. Fest proceeds benefit the UCLA Alzheimer's Disease Center.
--- New guest: Author BRIAN KELLOW will present a Joan Bennett remembrance and sign copies of the biography "The Bennetts: An Acting Family."
--- Big Finish Productions, the producers of the new DS audio series, will be attending the 40th Anniversary celebration. Members of the production staff will be on hand to launch the first two CDs, which will be available for the first time over the weekend, along with discussing the new project onstage.
--- Fest Memberships
It is recommended that fans pay for their memberships in advance to ensure attendance at the gathering.
Rates:
Weekend (Fri.-Sat.-Sun. - All general programming events - $25 per person.
Friday only (6pm-midnight) - All general programming events - $15 per person.
Saturday only (11am-midnight) - All general programming events - $15 per person.
Sunday only (11am-7pm) - All general programming events - $15 per person.
Children age 6-12 - Half-price for above ratesBanquet with DS Stars (Sun. 7pm-10pm) - $65 per person (* Non-refundable).
Seaport & Museum Trip (Fri. 11am-3pm) - $18 per person (* Non-refundable).
Mail checks/money orders payable to Dark Shadows Festival and send directly to: Dark Shadows Festival, P.O. Box 92, Maplewood, NJ 07040. www.darkshadowsfestival.com
You must use the membership form included in the recent Fest general postal-mailing or printed off the Fest website. Please include 2 SASEs and the full names/addresses of each person. Be sure to send all membership, trip, and Banquet payments directly and only to the above postal-mail address. The Fest cannot accept credit card or Paypal payments. All payments and SASEs must be received on or before Aug. 18.
SG previously reported the Brooklyn Marriott has sold out of discounted DS rate sleeping rooms - although they do have rooms available at a higher rate. The nearby NY Marriott Financial Center in lower Manhattan, just 2 subway stops or a 5-minute taxi drive from the Brooklyn Marriott, now is offering discounted sleeping rooms for Fest attendees. Call 212-385-4900 and mention Dark Shadows to receive the special reduced room rate.
*** 40th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION WEEKEND SCHEDULE
--- Please note: This is a tentative schedule. All times are approximate and events are subject to change.
Friday, August 25
11:00 South Street Seaport Day Trip
3:00 Registration Opens
6:00 DS: The Beginning
6:30 DS 1960s Novels Guest - Marilyn Ross
7:00 The First Year - Guests - Kathryn Leigh Scott, John Karlen, Diana Millay, Conard Fowkes
7:30 DS: The Salem Branch - Guest: Lara Parker
8:00 Dan Curtis Tribute
9:00 Autographs/DS In Remembrance
10:00 Night Of Dark Shadows
11:30 Movie: The Black Hole (2006 science fiction film starring David Selby)
Saturday, August 26
11:00 Fan Videos
12:00 Guest - Marie Wallace
12:30 Guest - Betsy Durkin
1:00 DS 40th Anniversary Auction I
2:00 Remembering Grayson Hall
2:30 Guest - Donna McKechnie
3:00 Guest - David Selby
3:30 DS Cast Reunion
4:15 Nancy Barrett In Cabaret Performance
5:00 Autographs/DS Bloopers
6:00 DS Game Shows
6:30 DS Movie Trailers
7:00 Dark Shadows 2004 TV Pilot
7:45 Dark Shadows In Salem
8:00 Costume Gala/Skit
9:30 House Of Dark Shadows
11:00 Movie: Horror Classics
Sunday, August 27
11:00 DS Informational Fan Panel
12:00 Guest - Diana Millay
12:30 Guest - Chris Pennock
1:00 DS 40th Anniversary Auction II
2:00 Big Finish Presents New DS Dramas
2:30 Guest - Jerry Lacy
3:00 Guest - Kathryn Leigh Scott
3:30 Dark Shadows 1991 Rehearsals
4:00 Guests - Dark Shadows Cast Presents First & Last Episodes Live On Stage
5:00 Autographs
7:00 Banquet Dinner with the Stars (By Advance Reservation Only)
Door Prizes/Special Video Screening
*** DS MERCHANDISE NEWS UPDATES
--- SHADOWGRAM PREMIERE ANNOUNCEMENT - NEW DVD UPDATE
In November, MPI Home Video will be releasing a special, single-disc DVD for $19.98 called "Dark Shadows Bloopers & Treasures." This is a 2½-hour collection of bloopers, outtakes, music videos, promos, and vintage game show appearances by the DS actors. There also is a new featurette with actress Lara Parker (Angelique the witch) entitled "Dark Shadows In Salem," where she visits the actual sites of the witch trials and ties-in with her new novel "Dark Shadows - The Salem Branch." The DVD will be available early for fans at the DS 40th Anniversary event in August.
--- SHADOWGRAM PREMIERE ANNOUNCEMENT - BARNABAS EPISODES DVDS UPDATE
MPI tells SG it is using the title "Dark Shadows - The Beginning" for the 206 early, pre-Barnabas episodes. SG previously announced that plans call for them to be released on DVD in 2007. They will be identified as Collections 1-6.
The title "Collector's Series," which was utilized when those episodes were issued on VHS video, will not be used for the DVDs. These 6 DVD releases, to be issued throughout 2007, initially will be available exclusively through MPI.
--- LARA PARKER'S NOVEL "DS: THE SALEM BRANCH" - PUBLICATION UPDATE
Lara's new novel "Dark Shadows: The Salem Branch" is officially published on July 18 and should be available in stores approximately that date. SG print issues and this SG Updates List have announced and reported about this 288-page trade paperpack being published by Tor Books. Retail price is $12.95 U.S. / $17.95 Canada.The novel picks up immediately after the end of Lara's first DS novel, "Angelique's Descent." Written in Lara's lyrical, intricate style, there are 2 inter-connected stories. One is set in 1971 Collinsport, as Barnabas finds himself irresistibly drawn to a woman who looks identical to Angelique, yet has a very different personality. The other story steps back 3 centuries to explore the life and death of Miranda du Val, the character Lara also portrayed during DS' brief flashback to the 1690s. Miranda is caught up in the hysteria and terror of the Salem Witch Hunt and Trials. In "The Salem Branch," Lara brings Barnabas into that world and that time - and also brings new twists to his own life in 1971 Collinsport.See SG List Update # 152 (June 26) for details about Lara's upcoming book signing events in San Diego and Burbank, CA. More signings are being planned; SG will announce details and SG print issues will report on these events. Visit Lara's official website to read the first chapter: www.laraparker.com
--- The DS Festival asks SG to announce that 2 items now are sold out: Autographed copies of the book on Dan Curtis' career, "Produced & Directed by Dan Curtis", and the limited edition DS coin purse.
*** DAN CURTIS' "SAVING MILLY" ENCORES ON CBS SUN., JULY 9, AT 9:00 pm
This fact-based TV movie was one of Dan's final projects before his recent death. He produced and directed the drama based on Washington journalist Morton Kondracke's memoir about his wife Milly's battle against Parkinson's Disease. Before its 3-13-05 premiere, Dan said, "Everyone involved hopes the movie helps increase awareness that money is needed to find cures for neurological diseases."
*** ALEXANDRA MOLTKE ISLES' NEW DOCUMENTARY BROADCAST - UPDATE
SG Online Update #152 announced her new film "The Healing Gardens of New York City" will be seen on PBS. Plans call for it to be shown on WNET-NY as Part 5 of 8 parts of a series called "Reel New York." Of the parts scheduled to air in July, it is the only one listed which is a one-hour show. The other parts are all compilations of short subjects. It airs Thurs., July 27 at 10 pm and repeats early Tues., August 1, at 4.30 am.
*** SHARING WITH OTHER FANS
SG invites all fans attending Nancy's DVD filming session, Lara's signings, and the Fest to please share their photos and reports with SG so all SG readers worldwide can enjoy these special occasions with you.
Please also send all articles, reviews, and publicity material you may find about Alexandra's documentary, the "Saving Milly" broadcast, and the upcoming book, DVD, and CD releases. A Contributor's Copy SG
print issue is given in thanks for major sharing. Send all information to SG's e-mail- or postal- mail addresses below.
Subscription information for the SG print issues follows. To begin your subscription, the 2 current companion issues, SG #107 and SG #108, will be sent to you.
Thank you.
Marcy Robin
ShadowGram Editor / Publisher
Marcy Robin, P.O. Box 1766, Temple City, CA 91780-7766
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Ok, I may be in the minority here, but since the actors from the first and last episodes will obviously not all be there, I think it would be really fun if Betsy Durkin pliayed Vicky in the first one!
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Thanks Midnite for posting the latest Shadowgram for the readers here. It shows that the Fest is on top of things and that is a credit to its hard work.
This is just a general statement not directed to anyone. I just don't get the purpose of the survey and its timing. I think it it great for us fans to have some type of fantasy-like input regarding the direction of a possible new Dark Shadows project. This is the second recent survey requested by the powers that be albeit asking a bit more information about a potential new DS project. I would like to think that the people in control of DS have some type of plan prepared in the event an entity approaches them about a new DS project. I would have to speculate that the results of the last survey was not too helpful to those in power and I don't see how this new survey will be any different. Still, I am glad that the new management is asking for our opinions.
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Ok, I may be in the minority here, but since the actors from the first and last episodes will obviously not all be there, I think it would be really fun if Betsy Durkin pliayed Vicky in the first one!
In total agreement with you, C Jenny. I hope it happens
Michael
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Ok, I may be in the minority here, but since the actors from the first and last episodes will obviously not all be there, I think it would be really fun if Betsy Durkin pliayed Vicky in the first one!
In total agreement with you, C Jenny. I hope it happens
My fantasy of how the reading of the first episode will go:
After an introduction by the Festival MC, all the lights in the ballroom are turned off. An audio track, featuring the sound of a train and the familiar DS opening music cue, begins to play as a solitary figure, her identity concealed by the darkness, takes her place before the microphone. As she reads her first line ("My name is Victoria Winters..."), the lights are brought up, revealing the actress' identity: Alexandra Moltke Isles.
The production is the brought to a halt for several minutes as the audience goes wild. ;)
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Wow, ClaudeNorth. From your keyboard to God's ear. [cheesyb]
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I just don't get the purpose of the survey and its timing.
I agree Jimbo. Not to rile anyone, but I remember a survey some years back created by the Fest Committee asking fans to name 10 cities they'd like to see the Festival's go to and NOTHING was ever done w/it. I feel it was a cheap attempt to get ppl's hopes up that the Fest might actually come to their town. This survey, if I'm remembering correctly, was after the Vegas Fest.
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Perhaps we're mis-understanding the purpose of the surveys, and why the information is requested. It has to be more useful to gather information BEFORE they want or need it in order to assess the possibility of another series/movie/whatever. If they were already convinced that a new version was viable, they'd be past the stage of wondering who and where their audience is.
At the same time, lots of factors change rapidly, and a survey's value is limited after a certain point, and needs to be repeated to assure that the results are still valid.
We should probably expect these surveys to pop up routinely, and at the same time, we should probably attach no particular significance to them.
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Ok, I may be in the minority here, but since the actors from the first and last episodes will obviously not all be there, I think it would be really fun if Betsy Durkin pliayed Vicky in the first one!
I agree wholeheartedly. Although I didn't care much for Betsy as Vickie, it was only because I was so used to Alexandra. If Betsy had gotten the job from Day 1 I wouldn't have had any problem w/her as Vickie.
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My fantasy of how the reading of the first episode will go:
After an introduction by the Festival MC, all the lights in the ballroom are turned off. An audio track, featuring the sound of a train and the familiar DS opening music cue, begins to play as a solitary figure, her identity concealed by the darkness, takes her place before the microphone. As she reads her first line ("My name is Victoria Winters..."), the lights are brought up, revealing the actress' identity: Alexandra Moltke Isles.
That would KICK ASS Claude! And you're right, the crowd would be on their feet for at LEAST 5-6 minutes, much like it was when Nancy Barrett made her first appearance in 1997 and did her cabaret act. We were at her rehearsal that Friday afternoon, courtesy of Craig Hamrick, and when she asked us for feedback on her performance I told her that she should prepare herself for the at least 5 minute ovation she would get. She was shocked to hear this and was like, "No, really? You think I will?" and we ALL said, "Yes!" But I digress...if only Pierson could pull it off. Doubt he can... :'(
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My fantasy of how the reading of the first episode will go:
After an introduction by the Festival MC, all the lights in the ballroom are turned off. An audio track, featuring the sound of a train and the familiar DS opening music cue, begins to play as a solitary figure, her identity concealed by the darkness, takes her place before the microphone. As she reads her first line ("My name is Victoria Winters..."), the lights are brought up, revealing the actress' identity: Alexandra Moltke Isles.
The production is the brought to a halt for several minutes as the audience goes wild. ;)
I agree with BuzzH, Midnite and all. I can't even begin to imagine the enormity of that moment. That would be magical. Hope it happens.
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Ok, I may be in the minority here, but since the actors from the first and last episodes will obviously not all be there, I think it would be really fun if Betsy Durkin pliayed Vicky in the first one!
I'm with you, CrazyJenny.
I love Moltke's Vicky, and miss her terribly after her departure. But, Durkin didn't get much of a chance to develop her own interpretation, and she may have done well if she were given the chance. I think she is by far the best choice for the reenactment, if Moltke isn't there.
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An even bigger shock, ovation would be if in doing the last episode recreation, the lights go out, they come back on and there is Jonathan doing Bramwell, my God, that would be something, I would think at least a fifteen minute ovation. But we can dream, can't we??
I honestly don't understand how ANYONE who is primarily a JF fan could ever have gone to another Fest if you were lucky enough to have gotten to one before he stopped attending...
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An even bigger shock, ovation would be if in doing the last episode recreation, the lights go out, they come back on and there is Jonathan doing Bramwell, my God, that would be something, I would think at least a fifteen minute ovation. But we can dream, can't we??
I honestly don't understand how ANYONE who is primarily a JF fan could ever have gone to another Fest if you were lucky enough to have gotten to one before he stopped attending...
And if they managed to convince both Moltke and Frid to make such appearances, then they would probably need to have a few paramedics stationed in the ballroom... ;)
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I honestly don't understand how ANYONE who is primarily a JF fan could ever have gone to another Fest if you were lucky enough to have gotten to one before he stopped attending...
Even those who adore Jonathan can still like the other stars and want to see them, not to mention their friends. Frankly, I think it's silly NOT to attend a Fest simply because Frid doesn't go anymore. ::)
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But if you are primarily a fan of say Jonathan and Lara, and you got to a Fest where Jonathan WAS at, then I think it is more of a letdown if you go to a Fest in later years and they have the same old same old stuff year after year....most of the people I know actually got bored after going for a couple of years....
Of course, if one never got to any Fest at all, then I think any almost any DS fan would enjoy attending a Fest at least once....whether JF was there primary interest in the show or not...
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But if you are primarily a fan of say Jonathan and Lara, and you got to a Fest where Jonathan WAS at, then I think it is more of a letdown if you go to a Fest in later years and they have the same old same old stuff year after year....most of the people I know actually got bored after going for a couple of years....
Well, I guess we're gonna have to agree to disagree here. I've said many times before, after few Fests, MOST ppl primarily go to see their friends, the stars become secondary.
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I see it both ways. Having been at every East Coast DSF since 1984, I come for the stars and fellow fans that have become friends over the years. To me it's one big family reunion where everyone can let their hair down and have fun. On the other hand, I easily confess to spending obscene amount of time in the Dealer's Room to add to my already huge collection of DS stuff. This year I'm simply salivating to get a copy of Grayson's biography!!
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This year I'm simply salivating to get a copy of Grayson's biography!!
You and me both Charles, you and me both! ;)
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Unfortunately, as of now JF doesn't have any intention of attending the festival. I also believe it is precisely because of how popular a star he is in the DS world that would make the entire event overwhelming for him. There is no peace for him when he attends these things - people constantly try to find his hotel room and call and the rest of it. While there is nothing wrong with his health other than being hard of hearing in one ear, JF simply could not sit for hours signing autographs and that would definitely be expected of him. At 82, while you can still be in good health, there are things you can't endure as well as you once could. He lives a quiet existence and the whole fest experience at this point would probably just be too much. I agree it would be a great event but just not likely to happen at this juncture.
Nancy
An even bigger shock, ovation would be if in doing the last episode recreation, the lights go out, they come back on and there is Jonathan doing Bramwell, my God, that would be something, I would think at least a fifteen minute ovation. But we can dream, can't we??
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Well, I guess we're gonna have to agree to disagree here. I've said many times before, after few Fests, MOST ppl primarily go to see their friends, the stars become secondary.
I agree with you, Buzz. I'm not even interested that much in the programming though I plan on buying the special MPI DVD that ShadowGram mentioned.
Nancy
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Well, I guess we're gonna have to agree to disagree here. I've said many times before, after few Fests, MOST ppl primarily go to see their friends, the stars become secondary.
I agree with you, Buzz. I'm not even interested that much in the programming
I agree with both of you. In fact, I passed up attending the 2003 Brooklyn Fest simply because the friends that I would have spent time with couldn't attend. For me, attending the Fest simply wouldn't have been the same without them. :- And it's not that I don't enjoy the stars - I do. There are actually some I really enjoy seeing. But even at that, after you've been to more than a few Fests, seeing them can sort of have a been-there-done-that feeling. ;)
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I agree with both of you. In fact, I passed up attending the 2003 Brooklyn Fest simply because the friends that I would have spent time with couldn't attend. For me, attending the Fest simply wouldn't have been the same without them. :- And it's not that I don't enjoy the stars - I do. There are actually some I really enjoy seeing. But even at that, after you've been to more than a few Fests, seeing them can sort of have a been-there-done-that feeling. ;)
Yeah, you know, at last year's Hollywood Fest, I think my friends and I went to maybe 4 things (the Joan Bennet thing, the WB pilot screening, one of the auctions and the Costume Gala--a MUST for all fans, new and old, LOL!). We spent the rest of the time in the pool or tooling around LA in the rental car. We still joke about not really attending the Fest by saying, "Fest? What Fest?" ;) This year we'll do all of the above plus the Grayson Memorial and a few other things. We just like hanging out w/each other.
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Unfortunately, as of now JF doesn't have any intention of attending the festival. I also believe it is precisely because of how popular a star he is in the DS world that would make the entire event overwhelming for him. There is no peace for him when he attends these things - people constantly try to find his hotel room and call and the rest of it. While there is nothing wrong with his health other than being hard of hearing in one ear, JF simply could not sit for hours signing autographs and that would definitely be expected of him. At 82, while you can still be in good health, there are things you can't endure as well as you once could. He lives a quiet existence and the whole fest experience at this point would probably just be too much. I agree it would be a great event but just not likely to happen at this juncture.
I wholeheartedly agree Nancy. As you said, the man is 82! He's too old for the silliness of the Fest, and ppl would get pissed if he only signed autographs for an hour or so, so who needs it? He certainly doesn't. Besides, that man has done more to promote the show (back in the day) and for the fans after the show went off the air--didn't he do like most, if not ALL the Fests from their beginning until 1993? Not to mention a ShadowCon or 2? So he doesn't owe the fans a darn thing, IMHO. ;)
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I can certainly understand Mr. Frid's reluctance to attend a Fest because of his age. I'm a whole lot younger and I'm not looking forward to the train ride into Brooklyn.... ::)
But I can't say I agree with the notion that Mr. Frid could not be effectivly protected from ill-behaved fans. This is New York. We routinely protect Pro Athletes, Rock Stars, and Heads of State who are at war with one another.
I CAN understand the reluctance to spend the amount of money it might take to keep him entirely undisturbed. Security comes at a price.
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I wholeheartedly agree Nancy. As you said, the man is 82! He's too old for the silliness of the Fest, and ppl would get pissed if he only signed autographs for an hour or so, so who needs it? He certainly doesn't.
Absolutely, Buzz. At the 1993 fest he attended he had to stop signing autographs because his back was acting up and people were pissed. They don't assume there's a good reason an actor stops signing at a festival. You're right too Buzz about how many fests JF attended. I think all in all before he stopped in 1993 he had attended about twenty three of them and not just Dark Shadows fests either. He was very involved in the planning of the fests at the beginning and even had committee meetings at his apartment in New York. His website is the way JF communicates with fans now and shares what he does. He can do that at his own pace and without obligations or pressure.
Nancy
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I can certainly understand Mr. Frid's reluctance to attend a Fest because of his age. I'm a whole lot younger and I'm not looking forward to the train ride into Brooklyn.... ::)
But I can't say I agree with the notion that Mr. Frid could not be effectivly protected from ill-behaved fans. This is New York. We routinely protect Pro Athletes, Rock Stars, and Heads of State who are at war with one another.
True but as the person who was paid to be with him at the festival for the purpose of assisting with his presentation and playing the villain with unruly folks, I can tell you that it is still a hassle for an actor like JF to have to move in a measured way at an event when you have been out of that scene for almost fifteen years. Just the notion of having to live that way is a turn-off. JF has said to me and others before that there is no way he ever wants to live or be as popular again as he was during the days of DS. It was too much of a personal invasion of his life and space. It is a difficult position to enjoy fans but not enjoy the limelight.
And what fans also don't realize is JF has problems just being allowed to live in peace at own home! Believe it or not, some folks will find a way to discover his unpublished address and send him boxes of merchandise they have purchased to him, videotapes and letters - oblivious to the obvious purpose he has an unlisted address - and that behavior just pisses him off. Then he has the hassle of forcibly stopping the more persistent fans who send stuff and or take out ads in his local paper trying to get him to answer their correspondence to his home. That has happened. Then he has to discard or give way what has been sent to him in the mail by people he never gave his address to or wanted to have it. ::)
I would love to tell you how many fans have sent him mail thinking he remembers them but he hasn't a clue as to who they are. >:D If they only knew . . .
Right now, all this man wants to do is figure out whether he should feed his cat hard or soft food. ^-^
I CAN understand the reluctance to spend the amount of money it might take to keep him entirely undisturbed. Security comes at a price.
It does and that includes sanity. I can you from personal experiences in working in shows in NYC with mega-stars not everyone is comfortable with the idea they need to be protected from some fans. I attended an event where singer David Cassidy was present. He talked about the days when he was so popular and the fear he experienced being in a van taking him from a concert he just did and fans pounding on the van. They were demonstrating their adoration and excitement towards him but he was in the van, on the floor under a blanket scared to death by the sound and the idea all those people were around him. He was protected. The crowd couldn't get to him, but just the idea he needed that protection was a turn off for him.
Nancy
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The reality is that Jonathan is probably 10-15 years or so older than most of the stars that currently attend the DS cons, and I do agree, it would be hard for him to go to those events at this time of his life. As much as those of us who are primarily fans of his rather than of the show in general would like it, it really would be too much, and after such a long absence, I am sure there would be even more of an uproar at his presence and the more determined fans trying to track him down than when he attended the cons regularly....
And sad to stay, there are the stalkers, etc out there...there is even a girl from California who in the last few issues of Royalty magazine has put in "personal" add trying to track down her "father Jonathan Fried" who was on "Dark Shadows"--weird!! I know there is a British contigent of DS fans, but guess the Royalty magazine editors do not realize how off the wall this letter is, as I guess DS is not known in Britain as a whole unless you watched it on British Scifi....and she doesn't even spell the name right!!
Another thought, David Selby was not in the last episode of DS due to his appendectomy, so maybe he could do Bramwell during the reenactment at the Fest, he and Lara do have SOME chemistry together....(though nothing compared to hers with Jonathan)...
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...the Costume Gala--a MUST for all fans, new and old, LOL!
This year's will be my first fest, and the costume gala is something I've planned on skipping. It sounds kinda silly, sorta Trekkie-ish. Is it really worth it?
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Retzev, the costume gala at the DS con is probably similar to the ones at other media/scif cons, people dress up as characters from the show, some people might perform a song, etc. If you enjoy that sort of thing you might like it, when I went to the Fests I skipped it, and I am afraid I crack up when I think of costume galas at any of these sort of things, so I guess it depends on one's preferences.
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Have TPTB learned nothing from the DS revival series? I know I'm probably in the minority here, but, IMHO, all attempts to recreate DS just sucked. You can't catch lightning in a bottle twice - unless you';re Julia ;). DS was, is, and always will be a Gothic classic. The Star Trek folks got it right - don't try to recreate Kirk, Spock, et all. Instead we were blessed with Picard and company. Same concept but new and different characters who happily reside beside the older versions. Why do they have to keep hacking away at DS and cheapening it with every attempt to cash in on it? Sorry for ranting. BUt I just think DS should be left alone to enjoy the way we are right here and now.
Countess
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This year's will be my first fest, and the costume gala is something I've planned on skipping. It sounds kinda silly, sorta Trekkie-ish. Is it really worth it?
It is DEFINATELY worth it!! It's a scream! I laugh SO hard at it! Some of the skits and musical numbers, whoo-boy! And, not to sound catty, but some of the ppl in it, well, you just have to see it to believe it! ;) Trust me, you WON'T regret going to it. [stfl]
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Have TPTB learned nothing from the DS revival series? I know I'm probably in the minority here, but, IMHO, all attempts to recreate DS just sucked. You can't catch lightning in a bottle twice - unless you';re Julia ;). DS was, is, and always will be a Gothic classic.
I agree w/you Countess, in theory, especially when it comes to the NBC revival, that was a piece of crap IMHO. Except for a few scenes from it, I generally disliked the NBC version intensely and wasn't at all surprised or saddened it was cancelled, I actually did a jig of joy when it was. As such, I wasn't at all impressed or excited about the WB's attempt to revive the SAME OLD STORY. However, having said that, when I saw the pilot at the Hollywood Fest, I was awestruck! It was fantastic! Not as good as the original mind you, but they definately "got it right" the second time around. And, had the show continued, who's to say that several of the former cast members wouldn't have at least made cameo's? I can definately see Johnny Karlen, KLS, Lara, Marie, Jerry Lacy, Chris Pennock, Jim Storm, David Selby and yes, even Roger Davis, all taking a turn at a guest shot. Maybe even Kate Jackson could have been persuaded. That might have been very interesting indeed! ;D I look forward to viewing it again in Brooklyn in a few weeks. ;)
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IMO, the problem with the NBC revival is that there wasn't enough "reimagining", and there was too much "remaking". It copied House of Dark Shadows in the present day segment, and there were only a few real differences in the set up of the show (Maggie & Roger, Victoria=Josette). It wasn't creative enough.
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IMO, the problem with the NBC revival is that there wasn't enough "reimagining", and there was too much "remaking". It copied House of Dark Shadows in the present day segment, and there were only a few real differences in the set up of the show (Maggie & Roger, Victoria=Josette). It wasn't creative enough.
Seriously! The NBC revival was, at times, a shot-by-shot remake of HODS. In that sense, DC was ahead of his time because he did it before Gus Van Sant came out with his shot-by-shot remake of PSYCHO.
Have TPTB learned nothing from the DS revival series? I know I'm probably in the minority here, but, IMHO, all attempts to recreate DS just sucked. You can't catch lightning in a bottle twice - unless you';re Julia ;). DS was, is, and always will be a Gothic classic. The Star Trek folks got it right - don't try to recreate Kirk, Spock, et all. Instead we were blessed with Picard and company. Same concept but new and different characters who happily reside beside the older versions. Why do they have to keep hacking away at DS and cheapening it with every attempt to cash in on it? Sorry for ranting. BUt I just think DS should be left alone to enjoy the way we are right here and now.
I think DS would lend itself perfectly to a "Next Generation" sort of treatment. During its five-year run, DS depicted several generations of the Collins family, so it makes perfect sense to revive the show by depicting yet another generation of the Collinses. This would allow TPTB to draw upon the rich legacy of the original series while avoiding many of the comparisons that plagued the revivals/retellings. I don't need to see yet another version of Vicki's arrival and Barnabas's disinterment, but a new series depicting life in 21st century Collinsport could be very exciting.
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I think DS would lend itself perfectly to a "Next Generation" sort of treatment.
Indeed Claude, I said to friends when it became apparent to me that it was a rehash of the arrival of Barnabas and HODS that they should have picked up w/a grown up David and his kids getting into the same kind of trouble he did as a youth. We did a Round Robin a few years back w/a grown up David that was pretty darn good I thought! ;D
Anyway, they could always show flashback sequences to re-introduce Barnabas, or, have him return as his "son" (him really, just saying he was his own son) and have David be suspicious that he was in actuality THE Barnabas of his youth.
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I've always thought that the only televison DS project that ever stood a chance of success was one based on a new generation of Collins family members. It would have all the aspects of the original, but not have to "re-hash" them for the umpteenth time. Entirely new stories could be woven around new family members encountering old family evils.
And, frankly, if one needs proof that the "next generation" approach works, well, how may times did "Star Trek" pull it off?
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Agreed. The '91 "Revival" stank. STAR TREK did it right. And DOCTOR WHO.
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I hate to say this but now that DC is gone we might have a shot at that Next Generation of DS that would not have happened with DC still calling the shots. Perhapse who ever is not in control of DC Productions and have control over the franchise Jim Pierson? could be talked into doing it with new characters with ties to the orginal. I like the Barnabas comes back as his won son and we must have Quinten back too but David and Carolyn have grown children 20somethings born in the 70s/early 80s. They could explore some of the unfinished story lines like Rose Cottage.
Just my 2 cents
LdyAnne
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This year's will be my first fest, and the costume gala is something I've planned on skipping. It sounds kinda silly, sorta Trekkie-ish. Is it really worth it?
The first costume gala I attended was a disappointment, mainly because the publicity for the event led me to believe that it was a big costume party. Instead, everyone sat in the ballroom and watched a couple of people march across the stage in vintage costumes. I left after about five minutes. However, by the next year I'd learned that people performed skits and song parodies at the gala too (I'm a sucker for song parodies). I watched the gala and had such a blast that I was even inspired to enter the following year! The costume gala is a perfect showcase for fan creativity. Some entries only relate to DS tangentially but others gently riff on the unintentional humor or inconsistencies of the show, or constitute impressive serious tributes. One gentleman who regularly attends does spot-on impersonations of Nicholas Blair. A couple of years ago, a brother/sister team re-enacted the 1795 scene where [spoiler]Barnabas shoots Angelique and she curses him with vampirism.[/spoiler] Among their props were a rubber bat on a fishing pole, a squirt gun, and a fly swatter. Our own Bobubas provided the cue cards. Some people appear in quite amazing costumes. The performers vary in degrees of talent, but it's not a competition; it's an opportunity for fans to share their love of and insight into the show with a respectful audience. If you enjoy sharing with fans and seeing/hearing lighthearted parodies, then you would probably enjoy the gala. On the other hand, if you're more serious and mainly interested in the stars, then this might not be up your alley.
ProfStokes
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I hate to say this but now that DC is gone we might have a shot at that Next Generation of DS that would not have happened with DC still calling the shots. Perhapse who ever is not in control of DC Productions and have control over the franchise Jim Pierson? could be talked into doing it with new characters with ties to the orginal. I like the Barnabas comes back as his won son and we must have Quinten back too but David and Carolyn have grown children 20somethings born in the 70s/early 80s. They could explore some of the unfinished story lines like Rose Cottage.
For fans of the Elizabeth-Roger relationship, that dynamic could easily be recreated in the relationship of Carolyn and David. I imagine a power struggle between the two, with regards to the family business.
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One gentleman who regularly attends does spot-on impersonations of Nicholas Blair.
Indeed he does Professor, he is TOO funny! The year he admonished the Fests for saying it was the last one and vowing a plague if we didn't have another Fest, then the following year saying, "I see they heeded my warning!" Too much! ;)
And our own Charles Ellis had a HILARIOUS skit in Tarrytown where he played "Charnak"! The room was in stitches! ;) Wonder what he's got up his sleeve for this year! Any hints Charles?! [naughty]
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I also think a Next Generation style show would work well for DS. However I picture David, not his kids, being the one who still can't help poking his nose into the supernatural. David seemed to always have an affinity for attracting unnatural phenomena and I imagine this being a continuing thing into his adulthood. I imagine Carolyn would be the matriarch of Collinwood, matured after all she's been through in her life. Maybe she'd have a hellion of a daughter (or son) herself. David's kids I think would be the opposite of him. Perhaps more scientifically-minded instead of whimsical. The hard thing about doing the next generation on DS is that they'd still probably have to bring in Barnabas, Quentin, Angelique and other immortal characters at some point, if only for a cameo. People would want to see those characters show up at some point. Casting the original actors would mean having to explain why the characters have aged. The other option is casting new actors which would be kind of lame and wouldn't work as well IMO.
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And our own Charles Ellis had a HILARIOUS skit in Tarrytown where he played "Charnak"!
Forgot to mention that Charnak was from "The Isle of Staten"! ;D
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According to an unnamed source, a certain mystic seer will return to Brooklyn in August!! Let's just hope he doesn't get arrested for what shocking secrets of the Collinses he reveals...... [91a2]
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According to an unnamed source, a certain mystic seer will return to Brooklyn in August!! Let's just hope he doesn't get arrested for what shocking secrets of the Collinses he reveals...... [91a2]
Oooh, a REPRISE of Charnak?! I look forward to it w/baited breath! ;)
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If you enjoy sharing with fans and seeing/hearing lighthearted parodies, then you would probably enjoy the gala...
Hmm, that doesn't sound bad at all :)
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I also think a Next Generation style show would work well for DS. However I picture David, not his kids, being the one who still can't help poking his nose into the supernatural. David seemed to always have an affinity for attracting unnatural phenomena and I imagine this being a continuing thing into his adulthood. I imagine Carolyn would be the matriarch of Collinwood, matured after all she's been through in her life. Maybe she'd have a hellion of a daughter (or son) herself. David's kids I think would be the opposite of him. Perhaps more scientifically-minded instead of whimsical.
Damned good ideas!
The hard thing about doing the next generation on DS is that they'd still probably have to bring in Barnabas, Quentin, Angelique and other immortal characters at some point, if only for a cameo. People would want to see those characters show up at some point. Casting the original actors would mean having to explain why the characters have aged. The other option is casting new actors which would be kind of lame and wouldn't work as well IMO.
I don't know, I wouldn't mind a next gen without the original villians, and if they cast new actors to play the parts, I wouldn't mind too much (maybe it's the DOCTOR WHO in me.) Or maybe they could work in a little back story about why the progeny of the originals are continuing to menace the Collin's family?