Very interesting, MB!  I can relate to your determination to track down articles or other material that could shed light on what appears to be a controversial subject.  I had been thinking today that the papers Mr. Wallace filed in his legal action against Dan Curtis (or Dan Curtis Productions?) would likely have spelled out in precise detail exactly what Mr. Wallace's contributions as a writer and conceptualist were to the series.  (I am rather stymied as to how one might research those legal filings, though -- a task that a biographer might well under take.)

The full context of the article you tracked down would be interesting to read, if you're able to post it in the future (and possibly note in an update to this thread ...).  Costello's comments certainly establish Art Wallace's presence during the planning stages of Barnabas.

The excerpt doesn't make clear if it was Wallace or someone else who had the light-bulb idea -- a-ha! why don't we introduce a vampire! -- since it says "the decision was made" (which sounds like a corporate decision) to go with "the vampire" (the wording of which possibly suggests the idea as one developed around corporate discussions -- e.g., it doesn't say "the decision was made to go with Wallace's idea for a vampire").

He then goes on to say that Wallace (then?) developed "this elaborate backstory" explaining the background to the vampire ... but again doesn't definitively say the initial idea was Wallace's.  It might not be worth splitting hairs over were it not for competing claims as to whom created Barnabas.  I don't know if Dan Curtis has specifically taken credit for the idea, but we do have Mr. Wallace's comment:  "I created Barnabas."

It's good to know though, at the very least, that Wallace was actively involved in the show during the planning of Barnabas and developed the initial backstory explaining Barnabas' past prior to the 1795 flashback.

It seems possible too that Wallace was the person to suggest a vampire, the idea was readily adopted, and as time went on no one really remembered exactly who had first proposed the idea since many writers soon became involved with the character.

I wonder where Wallace donated his papers?  Perhaps some day an independent researcher will use them to write a history of the show or in the process of writing a biography of someone connected with the show.

I'm even more impressed with his creativity now (not that I wasn't before) in developing the first backstory for Barnabas (even if it was later ammended, supplanted, whatever).  Hmmm ... how about "A Vampire in the House of the Seven Gables" ... 

If Wallace had truly lied, one would suspect that at least one of the interviewees that followed might have mentioned that fact or at least disputed his claims. No one did.

On the other hand, has anyone connected with the show ever stated or confirmed that Mr. Wallace was indeed the creator of Barnabas?  There must be someone still alive who knows the facts.

I don't want to cast aspersions on Mr. Wallace's honesty.  I admire many elements of his early scripts (particularly the unconscious echoes from Hawthorne), I found "Shadows on the Wall" fascinating, and as I mentioned I would give a lot to be able to see "The House."  And the more I think about it, the early supernatural trappings you mention such as the book and the ghost could be straight out of "House of the Seven Gables" and may not be all that great a departure from the initial Gothic atmosphere.  Somehow, though, lady Phoenixes and a vampire do strike me as the work of a different hand -- all I can say is it just feels different.  But then Mr. Wallace may have been a remarkably diverse writer.

Gothick is referring to what is often called the Dark Shadows story "bible," (my memory is failing me, but I think it is called "Shadows on the Wall").

However, there is no setup for the Barnabas character or hint for what is to come with mausoleums, chained coffins, cousins from England, etc.  Not even a hint of the Laura Collins as phoenix character (she's said to be in an institution, I believe, in the character sketch), which was when DS took its first prolonged foray into the supernatural.

"Shadows on the Wall" apparently grew out of Mr. Wallace's original script or notes for "The House," an older television drama presentation, which is going to be aired at the DS Festival this year (wish I could be there
  )

This preliminary story bible for DS sets up the Victoria Winters mystery, the Roger as alchoholic scenario (if memory serves correct -- I know he's killed off early on), Jason's blackmailing of Liz, and the very early story lines which were subsequently altered a great deal once the show got underway.  It is basically melodrama, with some thematic inspiration reaching back to Hawthorne's "House of the Seven Gables."  Nothing supernatural.

Since Wallace *apparently* had left the show before anything supernatural happened, I would question the idea that he suggested, planned, or outlined the Barnabas storyline, although it would be interesting to see evidence to the contrary.

I don't have access to my Program Guide, Shadows on the Wall, etc., but someone could check for sure when he was no longer credited with scripts, and I think it was quite a bit before the first tantalizing appearance of Josette's ghost at the Old House (which preceded the Laura story).  I do remember reading that he was still in the background supervising scripts by new writers, but wish we knew for sure how long his association with the show continued.

I love these sorts of charts.  Very impressive!  I don't have any of my DS (Pomegranate) books with me so I'm unable to compare this family tree with the published ones.

Is there a way of copying and saving the chart?

Typed from the L.A. Times article appearing in today's Calendar Section

Typed?!!

Much appreciated, truly. 

My only other comment is OHMYGOD!!!

I can't think of a better expression, so I add my own OHMIGOD!!!

I can't think of having ever read so scathing a review of any theater production ...

The reference to a "vanity" production does bear out the websites, though ...

If it's really this bad, the audience must feel embarrassed just sitting there ...

I'm reminded of the absurdly terrible production of "Hamlet" in "Great Expectations," which is enlivened, however, by the audience's wisecracks!  (Pip and Herbert are so mortified for Mr. Wopsle's performance that they try to slip out unnoticed!  Poor Mr. Wopsle never recovers, theatrically speaking!)

I wonder if they'll actually run to May 30.

From April 9:

I've been thinking during all the casting discussions here how DS was fairly ground-breaking in casting two black and one Oriental actors during the course of the original run.  True, they were small parts, at least one of which wasn't credited, but at least there was some racial diversity.  If the original show managed some cultural diversity 35 years ago, it would be a shame if the new series neglected to follow through on this.

Ms. Hu seems like an inspired casting decision!

Thanks, I'll try this later -- shouldn't take any more time at the moment.  Am actually confused about my RealOne player.  I tried to see what version I have and when I click on it in my Start menu it shows I have never set it up.  I remember now I never did set it up through the icon on my computer as you have to register and then pay a monthly fee.  However, I was on some site where I was able to download it for free.  It usually pops up as an option now when I run across a video on the web, and always plays with no problem, and I haven't been contacted for payment.  Maybe this is a free version that is separate from the most up-to-date.  I know I didn't register any personal information to get it.   

I remember now that what I got the most up-to-date version of (for free) was Windows Media Player.

I don't know which videos you're trying to play, but if it helps, to play the Karen Sisco videos you need RP version 10.0.  But that's not the case for the CSI and Tru Calling clips.

I tried one or two of the Karen Sisco videos and one or two of the Tru Calling videos (I tried three or four in all).  That may sound vague but I can't remember exactly.

Have DSL.  Don't experience any stopping and starting with the vids.

I was just on the TCM website and didn't have any problem (or delay) in playing a video there.

I'm not sure which version of Real Player I have but I know I upgraded to the latest.

Will try again perhaps in my Mozilla browser next time I log in.