SHADOWGRAM OFFICIAL ONLINE DARK SHADOWS NEWS UPDATE # 292

August 8, 2013

Hello, Dark Shadows Fan,

ShadowGram (SG), The Official Newsletter & News Source for Dark Shadows (DS) announces the following breaking news in this Official Online News Update "bulletin."

**** JOHN KARLEN IN MEDICAL REHABILITATION – GET-WELL CARDS & LETTERS ARE ENCOURAGED
**** DARK SHADOWS HALLOWEEN CRUISE WITH THE STARS UPDATE
**** CHRIS PENNOCK: 2 FILM ROLES & A REAL-LIFE SITUATION
**** MARSHA MASON STARS IN CLASSIC PLAY
**** KAREN BLACK SUCCUMBS TO CANCER

***** JOHN KARLEN RECOVERING IN REHAB CENTER
John (Willie, Carl, William H. Loomis, Desmond, Kendrick, NODS' Alex) has been convalescing in a Los Angeles rehabilitation facility for the past several weeks, dealing with various health and mobility issues related to diabetes.

A number of DS cast members have paid visits to John.
Kathryn Leigh Scott (Maggie) reports he was upbeat and looks good. Jim Storm (Gerard) had a nice long visit and felt his humor and will are intact. Lara Parker (Angelique) told me, "He's 80 years old and appreciated" that she came. "He was glad to see me and was very sweet. He was in good spirits."
David Selby (Quentin) and Jim Pierson (DS Festival director/Dan Curtis Productions rep) spent time with John late last week and said that his attitude was good and positive. John told them he's "missed seeing the fans the past couple of years" at the DS Festival events. John's been a regular Festival guest, most recently in Burbank, CA, in 2010. He says he hopes "to be well enough to attend" the Festival next summer at Lyndhurst Estate in Tarrytown, NY (where he and other DS TV cast members filmed the 1971 movie, "Night of Dark Shadows"). (SG will announce event details as we finalize plans.)

He's thinner and walks cautiously, but indications are he is improved, and it is hoped he'll soon be released from the rehabilitation center.

John is a beloved and longtime participant at DS events; in fact, he was the first DS person to attend a fan convention. He was our only guest at the first ShadowCon, held as a part of the larger StarCon convention in San Diego in 1977. ShadowCon was created and organized by Jean (Peacock) Graham, Kathy Resch, and Marcy Robin.

John says he greatly appreciates hearing from fans while he's in rehab.

You are invited and encouraged to send John get-well cards and letters. He has no computer or internet access, so postal-mail messages are most welcome.
You can write to John at:

John Karlen
Studio City Rehabilitation Center, Room 10
11429 Ventura Blvd.
Studio City, CA 91604

SG thanks you for sharing your good wishes and healing thoughts with him!

**** DS HALLOWEEN CRUISE WITH THE STARS – SPACES STILL AVAILABLE
From Oct. 27-Nov. 3, Lara Parker, Kathryn Leigh Scott, and Marie Wallace will sail with DS fans for the first-ever DARK SHADOWS cruise. The voyage leaves from the New York City area and travels to Bermuda for a lovely island visit. Along the way, Lara, Kathryn, and Marie will host DS-related activities on the ship, including discussions, dramatic readings, Q&A sessions, autographs, video and film screenings, cocktails, book and photo sales and signings, plus a tribute to Jonathan Frid and a Halloween party - in addition to including meals and other fun activities on board. Halloween itself will be spent at Kings Wharf, Bermuda.
There still is time for fans to attend this historical DS event, but reservations must be confirmed: BY AUGUST 11.
To make a reservation and for full details, call now: 1-800-828-4813.
Or go to: http://www.hartfordholidays.com/DarkShadowsHalloweenCruise/Home.html

**** CHRIS PENNOCK: BUSY FILMING – AND EVACUATING
Chris (Jeb Hawkes) filmed "Dr. Mabuse 2 - Etiopomar" in June and July, joining 3 DS colleagues in the independent psychological thriller. Jerry Lacy (Trask), Lara Parker, and Kathryn Leigh Scott reprised their roles from DM1. Jerry again plays the sinister title character. Writer/director Ansel Faraj plans a Summer 2014 release. Chris says DM2 has "a new ending climax that will blow your mind!"
The first "Doctor Mabuse" film world-premiered at the DS Festival's "DS Island Weekend" in Coronado, CA, in April. Plans call for its DVD release this fall.
http://www.doctormabuse-themovie.com/doctor-mabuse-2013.html
Chris then shot the independent film "The Forest Fire" in Los Angeles. Publicity: It is "an ensemble piece of individual tragedies intertwined into a personal and beautiful apocalypse." http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/the-forest-fire
Chris lives in Idyllwild, in the mountains of the San Bernadino National Forest, southeast of Los Angeles, about 50 miles from Palm Springs. In mid-July, a real fire threatened: A serious, lightning-strike wildfire ravaged the vicinity, ripping through dry, rugged terrain. For over a week it spread rapidly, destroying some structures and forcing evacuations. Chris, his wife Lynn, their dog Boris, and some of their cats were evacuated for 5 days but thankfully returned home safely on July 21. The ashy, burned landscape not far from their home will heal in Nature's way.

**** MARSHA MASON STARS IN COMEDY PLAY IN PENNSYLVANIA
Marsha (Vampire Audrey) stars in the comedy "The Allergist's Wife," being staged at the Bucks County Playhouse, 8-15/9-1. Publicity: "A middle-aged Upper West Side ((Manhattan)) doctor's wife (has) plunged into a midlife crisis on an epic scale, (but then her) life suddenly gets a lift when a former childhood friend reappears" in "a show filled with passion and humor."
The Bucks County Playhouse is located at 70 S. Main St., New Hope, PA . Phone: 215-862-2121. The box office is open 7 days a week 12pm-5pm.

**** KAREN BLACK – ACTRESS IN DAN CURTIS PRODUCTIONS – PASSES AWAY
Though Karen was never on DS, she has close ties to Dan Curtis (DS Creator/Director/Producer): his 1975 classic, iconic TV anthology "Trilogy of Terror" and his 1976 theatrical movie "Burnt Offerings." She spoke about working with him at the DS 40th Anniversary Halloween Party at the Vista Theater in Los Angeles (Los Feliz) 10-26-06, where she and other attending DS personnel (plus Barbara Steele) placed their handprints in cement in the theater forecourt.
She died today, Aug, 8, after battling spreading cancer in her spine. She was hospitalized in June and underwent traditional medical treatments. She then was moved to a nursing facility and alternate, holistic methods were used, improving her attitude and sensitivities and extending her life several weeks.

Marcy Robin

According to my long-ago notes, in this ep., the sobbing ghost--whom Julia both sees and hears--is played by Natalie Norwich, who played Josette's ghost once before, I think.

The ghost you see is Norwick, but the sobs were made by Florence Stanley.  Norwick will show up as Josette's ghost again, but her first appearance was in Trask's recent mock trial; I think she was Ruby Tate's ghost.

It's a line you would've heard, Patti.  Vicki's response will appear in the slideshow momentarily. 

Vampires in classic fiction were able to walk in daylight as well.

Congratulations on your ascendancy, dom!

There are photos from the event-- many of Lyndhurst-- on a Fb group called Dark Shadows Lives plus a few vids (Sharon Lentz, Donna Wandrey).  Membership is required.

You're all fantastic!

Philippe/Vlad is doing well post surgery.  Please continue to remember him in your prayers.

I don't know if it matters, but it was a 'teleplay', versus just a 'show'....

It was probably one of a small handful of TZ eps that were taped on video and used only manufactured sets (to supposedly save money).  But no, none of them were exactly like the Collinwood set.

the 'gist' of it was an 'olderish' couple with a few 'servants' + a 'daughter', all of which are not what they seem.

It sounds like "The Lateness of the Hour," which is one of the videotaped eps.