I have this film on DVD.  Marley's role isn't huge, but it's a nice part and she plays it well.  There's certainly a lot of qualities in it that I can see turning up in Vicki, so it's definitely worth checking out.

I've just added a photograph and bio details on Ivana to my site:

http://www.collinwood.net

I've never spotted one myself, but I seem to remember someone saying that some are visible from Joe's boat whenever it appears.  My concern about California was the very bright sunshine that appeared on occasion, something which no amount of atmospheric mist could cover up.

Thanks for the kind comments - I'm really glad people enjoyed reading it.

I suppose deep down the new project does make us examine why we're fans of the original, which is never a bad thing. I think fans are very important and our opinions matter, but it doesn't mean we're right - and I'd place myself on the top of that list.

If I can enjoy the new project and its stories in their own right, I'll be a pretty satisfied viewer, I think.

I guess I'm in the minority, as I love that story.  I know the continuity aspect makes no sense whatsoever (but neither do any of the other flashbacks, so who cares), but it's so well done and enjoyable.

Carolyn Groves is just amazing as Vicki - she just hits the ground running, looks perfect and frankly is a better actress than Alexandra Moltke.  This Vicki's vulnerable and scared, but she's no fool either.

Also, it really does improve on the original run of 1795 episodes too - Barnabas' confrontation of Nathan in the Eagle is vastly superior, with far better performances - Frid in particular.  Added to that the fun of revisiting the 1795 settings, and the shock - well, it was to me - return of Angelique (never a bad thing), and it's a great little diversion that doesn't outstay its welcome.

After the relative disaster of Betsy Durkin's miscasting (not really a bad actress, just visually wrong and too go-get-em), I think it was really welcome to take time out and give Vicki a proper send-off.  There's even a little acknowledgement of the parentage thing as she leaves, when she tells Barnabas that she doesn't need to search any more, because Collinwood is her home...  awwwww.

This is the most recent picture I could find, from January 2003:

Since they're mentioning all the coincidences of casting, Joan Allen who was Pat Nixon was also in Pleasantville!

Ooooooooooooooooooooh, Joan Allen... there's a name I hadn't thought of.  She'd be amazing for Elizabeth Collins Stoddard, wouldn't she?

Marley's an interesting choice - she looks very much like Nancy Barrett in some of her photos.  Visually she's closer to Alexandra Moltke than Joanna Going.  And yeah, I eagerly wait for the blonde/brunette debate to split fandom down the middle

http://www.collinwood.net - Dark Shadows Journal Online:


* Return to Collinwood Gallery

A look back at last year's radio play sequel to the original series, with a special gallery of previously unseen photographs...

Ben Martin is an award-winning photographer and photojournalist responsible for many classic Dark Shadows publicity stills.  Ben was on hand to cover "Return to Collinwood", and generously shares some of his pictures.


* News

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Enjoy!

Stuart 
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http://www.collinwood.net