Originally posted by Gerard on February 06, 2002 at 12:32:15:
In Reply to: Re: Prediction re: New Series posted by Joeytrom:

The Ross novels (may he rest in peace - yes, "Marilyn Ross" was a man) are a fantastic source of plots and storylines, and if the hopefully re-reconstituted novel series does actually get off the ground, there you go with some more. Even "Angelique's Descent" by Miss Parker would make an intriguing tele-filmed story.

Gerard

Originally posted by Gerard on February 06, 2002 at 09:54:43:
In Reply to: Re: Prediction re: New Series posted by joe integlia:

You know, I could go either way on how to do a possible new series: remake, or next generation. There are plusses and problems with both.

As for the former, even though I didn't like the '91 remake, I was awed by Jean Simmons, so I could see how it could work if done right. They don't necessarily have to redo all the original stories, and the ones they do remake, they can remove all the inconsistencies that happened with the original series.

I can see them even starting it with a retelling of the Vicki-and-Burke-arrives-Roger-is-scared-David's-trying-to-kill-him-Matthew-is-killing-everyone story, more compact, but it could be utilized to "introduce" the history of the family (kinda like Elizabeth doing a Jackie Kennedy tour of the White House with Vicki, pointing out portraits of this ancestor and that ancestor, including you-know-who).

If they retell the Quentin story, by wanting to keep it in the proximity of the present day characters (Jamison was the father of Elizabeth and Roger), they would have to "move it up", at least into the 1920's. Now, as much as we loved the 1890's Victorian element, I think that would be really neat. The clothing, music, dancing, all that from the 20's. Edward would be friends with Joe Kennedy; Quentin would get his kicks from helping Prohibition-era rum-runners; you'd have speak-easies, gangsters (what an angle!), and Pansy Faye wouldn't be a dance hall hoochy-koochy girl - she'd be a flapper wanting to break into the movies. What a riot!

As for the latter, a next generation would be a stitch as well. Of course, the problem - as pointed out - is that many of the original characters would still be hanging around. Carolyn as the mistress of Collinwood, absolutely, but would Nancy Barrett want to reprise the role? David married with kids, sharing ownership and operation of Collinwood and the family businesses, but would David Henesey return? I doubt that one. Would we accept new actors and actresses, who might look and sound somewhat like them, playing the parts? Well, if we accepted the second Darren, maybe it would work. And there are a myriad of storyline possibilities. I can think of a bunch right now.

Gerard

Originally posted by Gerard on the Dark Shadows: General Discussion Forum on February 04, 2002 at 10:44:55:

I always thought it would've been interesting if they would have told the 1795/96 storyline without [spoiler]Vicki being metaphysically thrust back to that era. For example, just having Barnabas begin to tell Julia about those events - screen swirls and swirls - and, voila, there we are for the next several months. Alexandra Moltke could have just played Phyllis Wick. Of course, then Vicki would not have met Peter Bradford and blah-blah-blah, you know the rest.[/spoiler]

Gerard

Posted by Gerard on February 02, 2002 at 18:28:39:
In Reply to: My Apology to the Board posted by Donna on February 02, 2002 at 15:49:03:

My thoughts are with you and your ex-husband and your family during what must be a very trying time for you, Donna! Wish there was something we could all do to help!

Gerard

Originally posted by Gerard on the Dark Shadows: General Discussion Forum on February 01, 2002 at 10:37:12:

Has Carolyn been?

I always use my imagination to figure out where they are or what they're doing when they've been absent for awhile, Patti. In this case, I figure Carolyn had some tragedy with her hair and had to go to a specialist in Boston to bring things back to straights.

Gerard

Originally posted by Gerard on the Dark Shadows: General Discussion Forum on January 30, 2002 at 18:53:53:
In Reply to: Re: Sign O The Times posted by Birdie on January 30, 2002 at 18:30:13:

My mother wore out an old purse strap on me - I was a very precocious child who knew how to push buttons. She then used an old belt. A coupla months ago, as I was going through the old homestead, cleaning it out, I found that belt still hanging in its place of honor in the kitchen broom closet.

My dad, too, rarely gave us a lickin' because he was usually at work when we would try to do things like burn down the house or stuff the pet parakeet into the dog. But if he did catch us doing such darling, little things, he would give it just as good as our mom. I always prefered the spanking method as it got it over with in a matter of seconds (and to be perfectly honest, our pride was hurt more than our butts by the lickin'). The kids who really did suffer were the ones who got grounded or were denied things like watching their favorite shows or going to the movies. Their punishment lingered, sometimes for weeks, while ours would smart for a coupla minutes, and then it would be over.

Gerard

Posted by Gerard on January 29, 2002 at 15:08:21:
In Reply to: New DS series??? posted by Linda on January 29, 2002 at 10:21:05:

Linda, I just gotta agree with you. I did NOT enjoy the 1990 prime-time remake (save for Jean Simmons, who made an Elizabeth Collins Stoddard as classy and regal as Joan Bennett). It was, for the most part, poorly written and lacked the subtlety of the original. And thinking of Maggie having an affair with Roger, well, I can't even think about it because I'll become verklempfed. And while the original could be excused for its many bloopers, there simply was no excuse for a series with a multi-million dollar budget, supposedly set in Maine, having palm trees swing into scenes (I know that's a small thing, but it irked me to no end). If there is the chance for a new series, and I hope so, you are so right ----- please, Mr. Curtis, leave the writing to the writers, use what worked in the way of approach from the original, and definitely learn from the mistakes of the first prime-time repeat attempt.

Gerard