Photo:  http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/36_saints/pictures/#5

SHADOWGRAM OFFICIAL ONLINE DARK SHADOWS NEWS UPDATE # 295
September 17, 2013

Hello, Dark Shadows Fan,
ShadowGram (SG), The Official Newsletter & News Source for Dark Shadows (DS) announces the following breaking news in this Official Online News Update "bulletin."
**** DONNA McKECHNIE IN NEW MOVIE
**** JOAN BENNETT IN COMING DVD RELEASE OF 1972 TV MOVIE
**** UPDATING: NEW DS COMIC BOOK SERIES
**** DS AUDIO DRAMAS CONTINUE

---- DONNA McKECHNIE IN LIMITED-RUN FILM
Donna (Amanda Harris, Olivia Corey) stars as “Ms. El” in “36 Saints,” a “religious conspiracy thriller” movie now in limited release. It is rated R for violence.
Publicity: “In every generation there are 36 individuals who carry the suffering of the world and assist those in dire need. The world exists in the merit of these 36 righteous people. Without them, the world would fall into chaos, corruption, and eventually darkness. The 36 are amongst us all and anybody could be one of them.” Each individual is named after a saint, but now a demonic killer is pursuing them, savagely murdering each in the same manner his/her ancient namesake perished.
Official trailer http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YeSgUPPJOzo
LA Times 9-5: It has “a rare fusion of urban noir and Latin Gothic (with) a splendidly diverse cast.” But “the Catholic-themed kill-a-thon puts forth an especially hollow Armageddon, in which the final battle between good and evil is as flavorless and thinly structured as a Communion wafer.”

---- JOAN BENNETT – OCTOBER RELEASE OF 1972 TV MOVIE ON DVD
Joan (Elizabeth, Naomi, Judith, Flora) was a legendary star of 1930s-40s film noir and other dramas during a long career spanning motion pictures, TV, and more. She succumbed to a heart attack in her home 12-7-90.
She played “Claire Ramsey” in the 1972 TV movie “Gidget Gets Married.” Newly-re-mastered, the romantic comedy about the iconic 1960s surfer girl, now grown up, is scheduled as an MOD (manufacturing on demand) Sony DVD release on a single-disc title on Oct. 1. Not sold in stores, it should be available online at e-tailers such as Amazon (via their CreateSpace MOD program) and the WBshop (via the Warner Archive). Expected price is $20.95.

---- REPORTING: PLANS FOR: DS COMIC BOOK SERIES
SG is asked to report the following information.
“In November, Dynamite Comics will conclude publication of its DARK SHADOWS comic book series, with issue #23.
“Over the past 2 years, Dynamite has created these beautifully-crafted comics, many with new, strikingly dramatic cover paintings of Jonathan Frid's Barnabas Collins. The comic books have attempted to maintain the integrity of the original TV series with modern, mature stories.
“Dynamite's DARK SHADOWS YEAR ONE comics have served as a fascinating retelling of the classic 1795 storyline. A separate series of DARK SHADOWS / VAMPIRELLA crossover comics also was offered. An additional release was a ‘graphic novel’, Volume 1, which contained the first batch of issues. It is available at www.amazon.com
“For those who have missed these extensions of the classic DS daytime series, copies still are available via the Dynamite website at:http://www.dynamite.com/htmlfiles/viewProduct.html?CAT=DF-Dark_Shadows
or at local comic book shops and similar retailers.
Please Note:
"The current market climate for comic books outside of the traditional superhero category is difficult. Consumers continue a shift to digital platforms, and traditional outlets for comics decrease.
“Dynamite hopes to pursue new options to re-launch DARK SHADOWS comics in the near future.” SG will report confirmed comic book news.

---- MORE NEW DARK SHADOWS EPISODES WITH ORIGINAL CAST
England’s Big Finish Productions continues its monthly releases of new DS audio dramas on CD and via digital downloads online.
The latest episode, "The Enemy Within," stars Christopher Pennock as Cyrus Longworth, Lisa Richards as Sabrina Jennings, and Nancy Barrett as Carolyn Stoddard.
Since 2006, Big Finish has produced over 3 dozen audio dramas, including some extended stories covering multiple CD discs. These newly-written stories are fully based in the DS universe and are recorded live in studios in LA, NYC, London, and elsewhere.
Many cast members from the original 1966-71 TV series, the 1991 primetime TV series, and the 2004 WB pilot reprise their roles and / or play new DS characters. The audio drama “The Night Whispers” features Jonathan Frid in his final performance as Barnabas Collins. The casts often include familiar American and British actors from other genre TV shows and movies as well.
For more information on the complete series of all the DS audio dramas to date, visit the Big Finish DS website at:
http://www.bigfinish.com/hubs/v/dark-shadows
Fans also can order the CDs directly from www.darkshadowsfestival.com

Marcy Robin

(a response was removed, which bumped the above post back to most recent)

that's part of my point. that there are those who have "completely given up" on this great, active, well-moderated site because, why???, it has taken something of a positive approach to the film is absurd and highly indicative of the irrationality of much of the fanbase in this regard. I have noticed some regular posters jumping ship after the release and I don't understand why.

again, it's no harm, no foul. so some members and a couple of moderators enjoyed the film. so what? who's being harmed? there's enough other places on the internet to bitch about the film. here it's kept to a minimum but there's plenty of other things to post about.

Thanks for your support, michael c.  I read JtW's original post shortly after seeing this one by a dsboards member on another forum site that I think illustrates what you're saying:

...many of the posts on the Dark Shadows Forum expressed honest disappointment and disapproval, and were logical and well-reasoned arguments, not petty name-calling. The site owner doesn't want a negative reaction at all, certainly not one that makes sense.

[The post's context:  http://thelatarniaforums.yuku.com/reply/139449/Tim-Burtons-DARK-SHADOWS#reply-139449]

Well, certainly no one should come here if it's not to their liking, and I've read some highly imaginary reasons for not wanting to (the mods here fix polls to get the results we want, we're homophobic-- two of the more offensive accusations made against us that have no basis in fact whatsoever), and the above comment ranks not very far behind IMO.

MB, dom and I don't judge whether a fan agrees or disagrees with our assessment of the movie or any other aspect of DS, regardless of how long they've been here or where they fall between personal friend and totally anonymous, or long-standing contributor and newbie.  Opinions are never moderated nor judged.  We appreciate the same sentiment from others-- the mods should be entitled to our opinions as well-- though we know we won't always get it.

If everyone agreed here about everything, it would be kinda boring anyway.

and out come the strains of the "Dies irae" ("Day of Wrath," i.e., Judgment Day) from the finale of Hector Berlioz's Symphonie fantastique!

Sky Rumson's choice for frightening Carolyn at his home on Little Windward.  (Sky's favorite parts are probably the woodwinds. <groan!>)

SHADOWGRAM OFFICIAL ONLINE DARK SHADOWS NEWS UPDATE # 294

---

Sept. 8, 2013

---

Hello, Dark Shadows Fan,
ShadowGram (SG), The Official Newsletter & News Source for Dark Shadows (DS) announces the following breaking news in this Official Online News Update "bulletin."
**** UPDATING: JOHN KARLEN RELEASED FROM MEDICAL REHABILITATION
**** LARA PARKER – NEW DS NOVEL BOOK TOUR – FINAL APPEARANCES
***** JOHN KARLEN LEAVES CONVALESCENT CENTER
SG Updates # 292 and # 293 reported that JOHN (Willie, Carl, William H. Loomis, Desmond, Kendrick, NODS’ Alex) has been convalescing in a Los Angeles medical-rehabilitation facility for the past several weeks, dealing with various health issues.
 
John was discharged from the facility on Sept. 4 and now is living in a house in nearby Burbank, where he’s receiving nursing care as he continues to recover from diabetes-related complications.
 
In the days before he left the facility, he was visited again by DS’ David Selby (Quentin), Kathryn Leigh Scott (Maggie), and Jim Pierson (DS Festival director/Dan Curtis Productions rep).
 
SG joins his DS colleagues and fans everywhere in wishing John a quick and complete return to health.
 
 
**** REMINDER:
LARA PARKER IN FINAL 2 APPEARANCES FOR HER NEW DS NOVEL
 
Lara (Angelique) has spent 3 weeks traveling to various parts of the country on a book tour for her 3rd DS novel, “Wolf Moon Rising,” released on Aug. 20. She launched the tour that evening at the Barnes & Noble store at the trendy The Grove in Los Angeles.
 
At each of her 9 stops, she’s spent hours chatting casually with everyone who comes, signing autographs, posing for photos, and answering a wide variety of audience questions – always an interesting interaction.
 
She also reads the novel’s prologue, which sets up the 5 main characters whose stories and lives intertwine across the decades: Barnabas, Quentin, David Collins (age 16), Angelique – reincarnated as 16-year-old Jackie, whom David loves – and, in a trip through time to the Roaring 1920s – a young Elizabeth Collins.
 
Lara’s enjoyed meeting and talking with so many people, including DS fans of all ages, those interested in the story and genre, and those who enjoy listening to and speaking with authors. Reports indicate bookstore audience numbers have ranged up to 100+. At the multi-fandom Dragon Con in Atlanta over Labor Day weekend, Lara was joined by Kathryn Leigh Scott. Many people attended their several DS-related panel talks and other activities.
 
Lara emphasizes “Wolf Moon Rising” is dedicated to all the fans who’ve enjoyed “Dark Shadows” over the 45+ years since the daytime series first aired. These include original-broadcast viewers, many of whom were young children at the time. People also are rediscovering the series thanks to the DVD all-episodes coffin-box set from MPI. Others are drawn to the 1966-71 DS after seeing the 2012 “Dark Shadows” movie from Johnny Depp and Tim Burton. Internet fans watch via Netflix and Hulu.
 
SG adds that DS fans themselves – in any fandom – always are among the best sources of introduction: they share their own love of the show with others who may have forgotten, never have seen, or never were interested in it before.
 
Her first DS novel, “Angelique’s Descent,” was dedicated to her parents. Its sequel “The Salem Branch,” saluted her DS colleagues. Both books are available through retail and online booksellers.
 
This 3rd novel continues the stories, characters, and relationships already threaded through the first 2 books. For “Wolf Moon Rising,” Lara’s dedication appreciates fans everywhere, and that’s why she visits with fans at each of her tour appearances. She arrives early, before her presentation is scheduled to begin, and stays late, to give all an opportunity to talk to her about DS, writing, acting, and more.
 
SG shares Lara’s her own invitation, issued today:
 
“FINALLY . . . NEW YORK!!!
“Welcome to all my Dark Shadows friends! I'll be on the Upper East Side Barnes & Noble Monday night ((Sept. 9)), signing my new Dark Shadows novel WOLF MOON RISING. Please come over if you can. It's a Mini Dark Shadows festival for all of us who miss having one this year!
150 E 86 Street at 6 PM! See you there!”
 
Lara’s next and final tour appearance is a few miles from where the tour began, at the unique bookstore Dark Delicacies in Burbank, near Los Angeles.
 
Mon., Sept. 9 – 7:00 pm – Barnes & Noble - 150 E. 86 St. NYC, NY 10028. (212) 369-2180.
 
Sat., Sept. 14 – 2:00 pm – Dark Delicacies - 3512 W. Magnolia Blvd., Burbank, CA. (818) 556-6660/ 1-888-DARKDEL
 
SG encourages fans in the Manhattan and LA areas to come see her!

Marcy Robin