If Barnabas, Angelique, and Quentin can remain eternally young, so can you, MB!  Happy Birthday! 

Ben (dedicating my next cocktail piano version of "Birthday" to you)

I was in eighth grade in April 1971.  Although I had been following DS regularly since 1969, some after-school interests began to develop in eighth grade, which made me less compelled to run immediately home from school to catch, at the earliest, the last 20 minutes of any episode.  The friends I had begun hanging out with weren't into DS, while at the same time, it became more difficult to follow the storyline (especially the final one) if I missed even a day or two. 

But I did feel very sad knowing that the series was coming to an end, and I did make it a point to run home that final day.  I even taped the show on my Panasonic cassette recorderwith the piano-style keys, although I didn't quite understand the storyline by then and was still missing the Barnabas-Julia-Prof. Stokes triumvirate.  1971 marked the end of two of my all-time favorite series: DS and "The Andy Williams Show" (his latter series with the Cookie Bear and guests like Elton John, Ray Charles, Johnny Cash, and Smokey Robinson). 

DS ran in syndication in Chicago for several months in late-night in the late '70s, but I couldn't keep staying up late every night.  How lucky I was, however, to discover DS on Sci-Fi in the late '90s, viewing familiar episodes again (this time, in color), watching many others for the first time, and videotaping them all.  And then I discovered this website and made it to two Festivals.  How fortunate that those of us who loved the show can gather on this site and in person at the Fests.

I always loved the musical score and all those tags at the end of a scene.  Over the years, even if the show itself wasn't on my mind, the music always was.  Duh-duh-DUUUHHHHHH!!!! 

Each time I view a particular storyline, I find myself concentrating on a different aspect of the production.  In DVD Vol. 3, we are caught up with Barnabas and Julia getting on each other's nerves, Barnabas and Burke getting on each other's nerves, David discovering the Collins Family Mausoleum, and Willie on death-watch at the hospital.

Throughout my current viewing of this storyline, I've been enthralled by the artistry of Jonathan and Grayson, who are able to sustain their then-confrontational, threat-filled relationship in long scenes of dialogue just between the two of them.  What a hoot!  Julia keeps needling Barnabas, and he can't stand it!  Love his line about Juia's "domineering" attitude and how it is "unbecoming" of a woman -- how very Eighteenth Century.

At the same time, Grayson managed to portray Julia as a multi-layered, unconventional woman, yet one who never loses her femininity or dignity.  Not easy for a character who always seemed to be pushng the envelope.

Even though I didn't particularly care for Anthony George, I found the scenes between him and Jonathan quite effective -- a pushy and sometimes obnoxious boor trying to expose a gentlemanly but evil kidnapper/torturer/killer.

David Henesy had to be one of the best child actors of his day.  I don't think I've ever seen an episode where he was having an off day.  Most kid-actors did short lines on sitcoms, whereas David had many lines to deliver on a variety of emotional levels.

In the scenes in the mausoleum, I was fascinated by how the inside of Naomi Collins' crypt was always well-lit, even with the door closed.  I had to LAUGH OUT LOUD when an angry Barnabas tried to strangle Julia while the two were hiding inside.  Julia's deep, throaty scream was priceless, as were the clueless reactions of Burke and Roger, who were standing only yards away on the other side of the wall.

I had to do a quadruple-take upon seeing Doctor Julia non-chalantly lighting up in Willie's hospital room.  Oh, how times have changed . . . and how I will never tire of re-watching these episodes.

Ben

Belated birthday wishes to you, Josette!  Or, as Barnabas might say, "Jo-ZZZETTTTTTTE."

Ben 

Can't help echoing how hard it is to believe that those stunning photos were taken five years ago.  I came to that fest knowing only a few of the VantageNet members via postings, but I left knowing I had made many wonderful friends.  You all made me feel so welcome, and I so enjoyed being surrounded by your laughter and craziness.

It was my first time meeting Nicky, and I had a hard time keeping track of him because of his ever-changing wardrobe.  He must have reserved a second hotel room just for his steamer trunks!

The photos and posts bring back a flood of random memories.  Strolling the lower-level plaza shops . . . beautiful hotel rooms that were jumbo-sized by Manhattan standards (and whatever discount price we were paying was a steal) . . . hanging out in the Tall Ships bar/restaurant . . . hanging out in the Marriott hotel lobby . . . the impressive views of the surrounding buildings from my hotel room and the Hudson River from the fitness center . . . grabbing breakfast at the Krispy Kreme on the WTC plaza with Midnite and other VantageNet friends . . . waiting in line to meet KLS at her table . . . all priceless memories.

The Marriott WTC was truly a glamorous setting for our Fest.  Little did we know that we were fast approaching the end of an era.

Ben

None of the local Chicago press accounts that I heard mentioned Raymond being a DS fan.  Mancow did offer a $5,000 reward for any information leading to the hit-and-run driver. 

Here's a link to a Chicago Sun-Times article from last week quoting Mancow:
www.suntimes.com/output/news/cst-nws-cowboyray22.html

Ben

Belated birthday greetings, julia99!  It was so nice to see you in Chicago last month.  Wishing you much success on turning your tribute to Grayson into a book.  May we all be celebrating its publication by the next Fest!

Ben