DavidSelby.com has posted a new and very informative welcome notice, including mentions of a future play, his latest film, a possible new series, current events, AND two brand new books including one about Dark Shadows (!!!) that promises unpublished pics and more!

An Official Internet Publication of SHADOWGRAM -
The Official "Dark Shadows" Published Newsletters

http://movies.groups.yahoo.com/group/ShadowGram/

ShadowGram@aol.com

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Number 215. April 30, 2010

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Hello, Dark Shadows Fan,

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

---- Jonathan Frid returns as Barnabas Collins in Big Finish's new audio drama "The Night Whispers".

---- Conard Fowkes memorial service May 3, 2010 – open to the public.

---- Spectre Toys: New Barnabas and Angelique action figures

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JONATHAN FRID RETURNS AS BARNABAS COLLINS

Big Finish Productions are proud to announce that Jonathan Frid will be returning to the role of vampire Barnabas Collins for the very first time in "The Night Whispers", an all-new Dark Shadows audio drama. Dark Shadows, the classic horror soap opera, originally aired from 1966-1971 on ABC TV. A feature film remake, starring Johnny Depp, from director Tim Burton, is due to begin shooting before the end of 2010.

As reluctant vampire Barnabas Collins, Jonathan Frid helped establish Dark Shadows as a pop culture phenomenon. Joining him for this special release is Emmy Award winner John Karlen as Willie Loomis, with legendary horror star Barbara Steele, who played Dr. Julia Hoffman in the 1991 Dark Shadows remake on NBC.

Dark Shadows audio producer and writer Stuart Manning comments: "Big Finish have been producing Dark Shadows audio dramas with the classic cast since 2006, and it's an honor to welcome Jonathan back as Barnabas for this special release."

Dark Shadows: The Night Whispers will be released on CD in June as part of Big Finish's ongoing series of Dark Shadows dramatic readings. The first teaser trailer can be heard online at www.bigfinish.com/dark-shadows

DARK SHADOWS: THE NIGHT WHISPERS
An Original Dramatic Reading

"He'd gaze across time and see himself at the other side unchanged..."

Long since released from his vampire curse, Barnabas Collins has settled into a new life away from the supernatural. But when a powerful storm sweeps through Collinsport, the elements bring back memories of past sins. Who is the mysterious spirit whispering in the darkness, and what is its connection with Barnabas?

Jonathan Frid returns as Barnabas for the first time since 1971 in this all new dramatic reading, based on the classic ABC TV
series.

Written by Stuart Manning
Directed by Darren Gross & Jim Pierson
Starring
Jonathan Frid (Barnabas Collins), John Karlen (Willie Loomis), Barbara Steele (Celeste)
Producers: Stuart Manning, Jason Haigh Ellery
Executive Producer: Jim Pierson
Post Production: David Darlington
RRP: £9.99/$13.00. Duration: 45 minutes approx.
www.bigfinish.com

*** SHADOWGRAM NOTE: The new huge double issue of ShadowGram # 117-118 shows the cover of "The Night Whispers" and has cast photos and other details from Big Finish's 2010 DS audio dramas. This new issue is in the process of being mailed to all current postal mail subscribers. Subscription/renewal information is at the end of this email.

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From the 04-30-10 New York Times: "Actors' Equity Association hosts a Celebration of the Life of Conard Fowkes on Monday, May 3, 6pm at the Laura Pels Theater, 111 West 46th Street, New York, N.Y. The public is invited."

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A SPECTRE OF THINGS TO COME AND A COUPLE OF BLASTS FROM THE PAST: INTRODUCING SPECTRE TOYS

On July 1st, SPECTRE TOYS will unleash its first products to awaiting collectors. Although a new company, its roots are firmly planted in a storied past. Spectre Toys is led by Rick Phares, the brains behind Majestic Studios, which was known for its innovative and eclectic toy output, such as the 12-inch "Battlestar Galactica" Cylon and the Zuni Fetish Warrior Replica from "Trilogy of Terror."

Out of the past, Spectre's first release is a series of 8-inch action figures from the original 1966-71 ABC-TV gothic horror serial, DARK SHADOWS, which was named one of TV Guide's "Top 25 Cult Shows Ever." Phares said, "The brilliance of the show sprung from its legendary creator-producer-director Dan Curtis. The first scene of the show came to him in a dream and he applied a dreamlike quality to the entire series."

"In keeping with our retro theme," Phares continued, "our `Dark Shadows' line will be sculpted and clothed in the 70s MEGO style. They will look exactly how 8-inch articulated figures of the day would have looked during `Dark Shadows' initial TV run, but with just a few extra modern technical touches. We`ve come a long way in manufacturing since then."

Spectre Toys has partnered with EMCE Toys, the company that brought back the 8-inch classic MEGO format. Founded by pop culture entrepreneur Joe Sena and renowned expert Paul "Dr. Mego" Clarke, EMCE has "MEGO-ized" multiple classic properties such as DC Comics superheroes, "Star Trek", "The Venture Bros." and many others.

"The resurgence of `Dark Shadows' and 70s style figures have come together at the right time," Phares added. "It's been widely reported that a new `Dark Shadows' theatrical film will be shot this fall by director Tim Burton and starring Johnny Depp as Barnabas Collins."

Spectre's first "Dark Shadows" release will include the brooding, 175 year old vampire Barnabas Collins and the woman who put the vampiric curse upon him - the beautiful but deadly witch Angelique. Each figure will be limited to a 3,000 piece run. The prototype for Barnabas is available for viewing now at the Spectre Toys website (www.spectretoy.com)

Soon the comic book and pop culture convention season will be in full swing. As Majestic Studios did in the past, Spectre will have a convention-exclusive figure premiering at the San Diego Comic Con, July 21st to 25th. Only 500 pieces will be available at the `Entertainment Earth' booth at San Diego.

That exclusive will be the shape-shifting werewolf Chris Jennings, a descendant of Quentin Collins from the 1890s who was likewise afflicted with lycanthropy. (Yes, Quentin was cured and later time traveled and appeared in modern times, but that's a story for another day – or better yet, go watch the DVDs from www.mpihomevideo.com)

At the San Diego Comic Con, Spectre Toys will be making a few announcements regarding further "Dark Shadows" and Spectre Toys releases. Plus, attendees will meet a special surprise guest from "Dark Shadows!" Remember; make a note to look for Spectre Toys at the `Entertainment Earth' booth. Representatives will be there to answer questions and take fan suggestions for future figures.

Samples of some of the original 1970s figures can be viewed at the Mego Museum website (http://www.megomuseum.com/).

For more information about where to purchase Spectre Toys releases, go to www.spectretoy.com.

Contact:
Spectre Toys
13659 Victory Blvd.
Suite 490
Van Nuys, CA 91401
Email: info@spectretoy.com

***** SHADOWGRAM NOTE: The new huge double issue of ShadowGram # 117-118 also have details on the Spectre Toys figures.

***** MESSAGES FROM SHADOWGRAM

This Update is posted to the ShadowGram YahooGroup and is dispersed by interested fans to various lists, boards, websites, groups, Facebook, Live Journal, Twitter, in personal emails, and other online/print communications.

You can join the actual SG YahooGroup easily at no cost: http://movies.groups.yahoo.com/group/ShadowGram/

If you'd like more information on how to become a SG YahooGroup member, or an invitation to join the group, please e-mail Marcy Robin at shadowgram1@yahoo.com

Thank you.

Marcy Robin
ShadowGram Editor / Publisher
P.O. Box 1766
Temple City, CA 91780-7766

www.ShadowGram.com