Happy Birthday to Emerald Rose!
Lovely, dom!

**** DARK SHADOWS 50th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION – FRIDAY TICKETS & SATURDAY/SUNDAY UPDATE
 
**** SHADOWGRAM PREMIERE ANNOUNCEMENT: REVISED TENTATIVE SCHEDULE FOR LATE FRIDAY-SATURDAY-SUNDAY
 
**** MESSAGE FROM SHADOWGRAM’S MARCY ROBIN
 
SHADOWGRAM OFFICIAL DARK SHADOWS NEWS ONLINE UPDATE # 381
May 7, 2016
 
Hello, Dark Shadows Fan,
 
ShadowGram (SG), The Official Newsletter & News Source for Dark Shadows (DS), provides the following news in this ShadowGram Official Dark Shadows News Online Update "Bulletin."
 
SHADOWGRAM UPDATE #181
May 6, 2016
 
***** DARK SHADOWS 50th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION - FRIDAY TICKETS & SATURDAY/SUNDAY UPDATE
 
The Dark Shadows Festival asks ShadowGram to announce the following:
 
As previously announced, the Saturday and Sunday hotel events for the Dark Shadows 50th Anniversary Celebration have sold out. 
 
However, a limited number of tickets remain for the events at the DoubleTree Hotel on Friday, June 24, from 6pm-Midnight for $15 per person.
 
As a special opportunity for fans who were unable to purchase full 3-day DS 50th passes, those who register now or who already are registered to attend only on Friday will also receive a complimentary pass to attend the DS activities at the DoubleTree on Saturday evening, June 25 (after 7pm-midnight) and Sunday afternoon, June 26 (after 3pm to closing at 6pm). 
 
The revised tentative Schedule of Events just for Friday evening, Saturday evening, and Sunday afternoon is included later in this Update.
 
The free passes for the Saturday evening and late Sunday afternoon activities will be given to those who have pre-paid for Friday evening events when they pick up their badges at the DS 50th Registration Table at the DoubleTree.
 
Please note: Fest Registration initially will open at approximately 3pm on Friday afternoon in the hotel lobby. Please be sure to bring your original registration payment receipt, The badge you receive gives you entry to Fest activities in the hotel.
 
Additionally, space remains available Friday morning, June 24, for a visit to neighboring Lyndhurst , the estate where the movies "House of DS" and "Night of DS" were filmed.
 
The Lyndhurst visit includes a tour of the elegant historic mansion for $20 per person. Lunch and snacks will be for sale in the café or you may bring a picnic lunch. Please note that Lyndhurst will now open at 11 a.m. for fans who wish to come before noon and is open until 5:00 p.m.  The DoubleTree Hotel is only a few hundred yards away on the same street (Broadway) in Tarrytown , so fans can walk or take a shuttle van from the DoubleTree Hotel. Fans also can drive and park at Lyndhurst .
 
----- For fans who wish to pay now for the Friday events ( Lyndhurst tour-$20, Friday evening at the DoubleTree Hotel-$15): 
 
Any payments for the Friday events MUST be sent along with a completed Order Form available at www.darkshadowsfestival.com
 
Payments are only by check or money order payable to Dark Shadows Festival. Please include a SAFSE (Self-Addressed Forever Stamp Envelope). The Fest can not accept credit cards or PayPal.
 
Interested fans are encouraged to take advantage of this special offer as soon as possible. Anyone who has already registered for Friday only will automatically receive the Free Saturday night and Sunday afternoon admission.
 
 
**** SHADOWGRAM PREMIERE ANNOUNCEMENT:
REVISED TENTATIVE SCHEDULE FOR LATE FRIDAY-SATURDAY-SUNDAY
 
Below is the revised tentative schedule only for Friday and the late Saturday and Sunday activities. Times are approximate and subject to change.
 
Please note that guest autograph / photo opportunity sessions and memorabilia sales will take place throughout each afternoon / evening until 6:00pm Sunday.
 
ShadowGram Official DS News Online Updates will continue to announce more exciting DS 50th news plus more DS news!
 
FRIDAY, June 24, 2016
11:00 am - 5:00pm - An Afternoon at Collinwood ( Lyndhurst Estate in Tarrytown )
(Tour of Lyndhurst Mansion - $20 per person)
3:00pm   Fest Celebration Registration opens at DoubleTree Hotel (Friday night - $15 per person)
6:00pm    DS 50th Anniversary opening ceremonies with guests Sharon Smyth & David Selby
6:15        Special DS Episode with Original Commercials as broadcast on ABC-TV
6:45        Jonathan Frid on The Dick Cavett Show (1968)
7:00        Special Guests: Kathleen Cody & James Storm
7:30        Special Guests: Marie Wallace & Christopher Pennock
8:00        Special Guests: Kathryn Leigh Scott & Jerry Lacy
8:30        Special Guests: Lara Parker & Roger Davis
9:00        Jonathan Frid hosts House of Dark Shadows (1986)
11:00      Night of Dark Shadows
12:45      Late Night Movie
 
THE FOLLOWING EVENTS ARE OPEN TO PURCHASERS OF FRIDAY NIGHT TICKETS AT NO ADDITIONAL CHARGE:
 
SATURDAY - June 25, 2016 - DS 50th Anniversary
7:00         Donna McKechnie In Performance
7:30         Dark Shadows In Remembrance
                The Collinsport Players
8:00         Dark Shadows Fans’ Costume / Presentation Gala
9:00         Dark Shadows At The Movies Retrospective
10:00       Ghost Stories with Sarah Collins
                & Short Film hosted by Sharon Smyth
11:00      Movie: The Last Case of August T. Harrison (with several DS cast members)
 
SUNDAY - June 26, 2016
3:00          Autograph Session/DS Memorabilia Sale
5:00          Optional No-Host Fan Field Trip to Sleepy Hollow Cemetery & Private Tour ($10 advance / $12 at door)
 
 
**** MESSAGE FROM SHADOWGRAM’S MARCY ROBIN
 
I really appreciate everyone’s understanding and patience (it’s been a long haul) since my emergency eye surgery in late March. I’m very grateful for so many messages of encouragement, support, and healing. I also applaud Kathy Resch, who’s kept on top of everything for me.
 
My eye surgeon is pleased with my progress, my vision gradually improves, and I hope to be “back on my daily life track” soon. Kathy has been handling my e- and postal- mail, the Updates, etc. while I recover. I look forward to again handling my correspondence, ShadowGram, and more, in the near future.
 
My doctors and I anticipate I’ll be fine for traveling to the Year #50 Celebration and be ready for my various Fest staff responsibilities all weekend, including the for-fun Fans’ Costume & Presentation Gala, and getting to see everybody too. Thank you all!

**** MPI CONTEST OFFERS WINNER 2 FREE DS FEST YEAR #50 CELEBRATION TICKETS
 
SHADOWGRAM OFFICIAL DARK SHADOWS NEWS ONLINE UPDATE # 380
May 6, 2016
 
Hello, Dark Shadows Fan,
 
ShadowGram (SG), The Official Newsletter & News Source for Dark Shadows (DS), provides the following news in this ShadowGram Official Dark Shadows News Online Update "Bulletin."
 
**** MPI CONTEST OFFERS WINNER 2 FREE DS FEST YEAR #50 CELEBRATION TICKETS
 
MPI asks ShadowGram to announce:
 
As most DS fans know, since 1989 MPI Home Video has been responsible for releasing all 1,225 original 1966-71 DS episodes on both VHS tape and DVD. Along the way, MPI also has issued many unique DS compilations and special programs including bloopers, featurettes, interviews, behind-the-scenes materials and related items, in addition to a vast range of official DS merchandise such as T-shirts, jackets, and an upcoming retro-styled lunchbox.
 
Now, to celebrate DS' Golden Anniversary, MPI is sponsoring a contest to win 2 tickets for the entire DS 50th Anniversary weekend in Tarrytown, New York, from Friday, June 24 through Sunday, June 26.
 
During the 3 days, over a dozen DS cast member guests will be available for autographs and photo opportunities. They also will participate in onstage audience Q&A sessions, dramatic readings, performances, and more. There will be a vast array of DS merchandise available for purchase, rare and special video screenings, a for-fun fan participation Costume & Presentation Gala, and much more.
 
The contest will allow the winner 2 admissions for the following Fest activities:
 
---- Friday, June 24: A daytime visit to the historic Lyndhurst Estate (Collinwood in the MGM DS movies) plus 2 admissions to the Friday evening Fest programming at the nearby Tarrytown Doubletree Hotel. 
 
---- Saturday (June 25) & Sunday (June 26):
Admission to all events at the DS cast reunion/fan convention at the Tarrytown DoubleTree Hotel all day Saturday. Also included: Attendance at the Sunday afternoon Luncheon with the Stars and being seated at a table with Lara Parker (Angelique).
 
---- Sunday (June 26):
2 tickets for the late Sunday afternoon visit to the nearby historic Sleepy Hollow Cemetery (where the movie HOUSE OF DS was filmed).
 
---- Complimentary hotel room for 3 nights.
 
---- To enter the contest, please go to the following link for instructions. The winner
will be announced on June 10 via email.
 
http://www.mpihomevideo.com/pages/dark-shadows-50th-anniversary
 
ShadowGram encourages fans to enter for this unique Celebration opportunity!

Happy Birthday to JoeNathan!       

Dan Curtis' Burnt Offerings will air early Sunday (3:30 a.m. EST; 12:30 a.m. PST) on TCM.  It stars Karen Black, Oliver Reed, and Bette Davis as "Aunt Elizabeth".

**** ORIGINAL MUSIC FROM DARK SHADOWS VINYL ALBUM REISSUE - NATIONAL RECORD STORE DAY EXCLUSIVE
 
**** DONNA McKECHNIE SPECIAL CABARET SHOW IN NEW YORK NEXT WEEK
 
**** A REUNION OF SORTS – A COMEDY BY JERRY LACY
 
**** DARK SHADOWS VINTAGE NEWSPAPER COMIC STRIPS
 
**** “CLICKABLE” SLEEPY HOLLOW CEMETERY TOUR LINK
 
SHADOWGRAM OFFICIAL DARK SHADOWS NEWS ONLINE UPDATE # 379
April 15, 2016
 
Hello, Dark Shadows Fan,
 
ShadowGram (SG), The Official Newsletter & News Source for Dark Shadows (DS), provides the following news in this ShadowGram Official Dark Shadows News Online Update "Bulletin."
 
**** GUEST EDITORIAL
 
Marcy Robin sends her thanks to everyone who sent her good wishes for her recovery from retinal detachment surgery.  She is still not able to read or respond to email as the surgery was done on her better eye.  She’s dealt with this problem since young adulthood.   The surgeries she experienced at that time in her life were experimental and caused scar tissue in one eye which makes it difficult for her to read out of that eye.  This surgery was performed on her better eye.  Her eye surgeon is considered to be one of the pre-eminent specialists for this type of surgery on the west coast of the United States.
 
The recovery process from the type of surgery she just had takes several weeks.
 
I’ll be doing the ShadowGram Updates and responding to her emails for the next few weeks. 
 
Kathy Resch
 
 
**** ORIGINAL MUSIC FROM DARK SHADOWS VINYL ALBUM REISSUE - NATIONAL RECORD STORE DAY EXCLUSIVE
 
As previously announced in SG Update, composer ROBER COBERT's classic 1969 "Dark Shadows" soundtrack album originally released on Philips Records, is being reissued on purple swirl extra-thick, high-grade vinyl for National Record Store Day this Saturday, April 16. The album will be available exclusively at independent record stores in limited quantity. Fans are encouraged to call or visit their local music retailers to purchase this collector's item which replicates the original album artwork including the mini-poster of Barnabas and Quentin inside. The album will also sport a unique 50th Anniversary sticker on the cover that commemorates Record Store Day as well.
 
Please note that some stores will also sell the album through the mail for those who do not have a local independent record outlet though it is likely the album will sell out on Record Store Day. The reissue is from Varese Sarabande, the company who has reissued the album on CD in the past as well as a special DS 30th Anniversary CD, a "Night Stalker & Other Classic Thrillers" CD of Cobert's spooky scores to Dan Curtis projects (including 1991 DS music highlights) and a selection of Cobert's vintage game show themes as well as the score to the TV mini-series "The Winds of War."
 
 
**** DONNA McKECHNIE SPECIAL CABARET SHOW IN NEW YORK NEXT WEEK
 
Tony-winning actress-singer-dancer DONNA McKECHNIE (DS' Amanda Harris/Olivia Corey) will star in a special musical stage show at Michael Feinstein's 54 Below nightclub in Manhattan from Sunday, April 17 through Friday, April 22 nightly except no show on Monday, April 18. "Donna McKechnie & Friends: A Visit With Kander & Ebb" begins at 7pm each night with doors opening at 5:15. The cover charge is $50-$60 with a $25 minimum for food and beverage. Fans may use a special discount code of KECH5 for a reduced rate. The cabaret show will spotlight the composers' best-loved songs including "All That Jazz" (from "Chicago"), "Cabaret" and "Maybe This Time" (from "Cabaret"), "New York, New York" (from "New York, New York") and other showtune favorites.
 
Donna is a vivacious veteran of many legendary Broadway shows such as "A Chorus Line," "Promises, Promises," "Company" and many others. This is a wonderful opportunity to see her in an intimate setting.
 
 
**** A REUNION OF SORTS – A COMEDY BY JERRY LACY
 
Town and Country Players presents:  “A Reunion Of Sorts” – A Comedy by Jerry Lacy.
 
Fridays and Saturdays, August 12, 13, 19, 20, 2016 at 8:00 pm
Sunday, August 14, 2016 at 2:00 pm
 
Town and Country Players, 4158 York Rd., Buckingham, PA
www.townandcountryplayers.org
(800) 838-3006
 
Plot:  Seventy somethings Nick and Ted have been pals for most of their lives.  Ted is happily married to Gwen, but Nick is divorced and worried that he will spend his final days alone and unloved. The sudden reappearance of a mutual girlfriend of thirty years ago, sends them into a tizzy, and reawakens their their youthful rivalry.  What happens when the gorgeous French beauty shows up at the front door?  The situation spirals out of control as the boys drink and argue, all while fending off the nosy next door neighbor who is spying on them.
 
About the playwright:  Jerry Lacy has been a professional actor for over 50 years, appearing On-Broadway (Play It Again, Sam with Woody Allen and Diane Keaton), Off-Broadway (Desire Under the Elms at Circle in the Square), and in regional and summer stock theatres all over the country. Film and television roles include Rev. Trask in Dark Shadows, Bogie in the film version of Play It Again, Sam, and many years on various daytime shows such as Love of Life, As the World Turns and The Young and the Restless. Lacy turned to writing as an additional artistic outlet several years ago, first selling scripts to various TV shows (Newhart and Parenthood), then switched to screen and stage plays as a more artistic endeavor. He is currently working on his sixth play for stage.
 
There will possibly be a party after opening night, and there will possibly be a talk after the Sunday matinee.  More information will be available closer to the performances.
 
 
**** DARK SHADOWS VINTAGE NEWSPAPER COMIC STRIPS
 
Hermes Press, who has published half-a-dozen high-quality volumes reprinting the original 1968-1976 DS Gold Key/Whitman Comics, is searching for a few missing 1971-1972 color DS Sunday newspaper comic strips for inclusion in a deluxe book reprinting the strips for the first time complete with all the panels included and in color - in addition to the shorter, daily strips that were black-and-white.
 
It is hoped a DS fan or collector can help locate these and lend to Hermes to make ultra-high resolution scans and return in addition to providing special acknowledgment in the book.
The following dates are missing and needed - please email shadowgram@aol.com if you can help with providing any of these color Sunday strips:
 
November 14, 1971; November 21, 1971; November 28, 1971; December 5, 1971; December 12, 1971:
December 19, 1971; December 26, 1971; January 2, 1972; January 9, 1972; January 16, 1972;
January 23, 1972; January 30, 1972; February 6, 1972; February 13, 1972; February 20, 1972:
February 27, 1972; March 5, 1972.
Thank you for any assistance to make this project possible!
 
 
**** SLEEPY HOLLOW CEMETERY TOUR LINK:
 
The link for the Sleepy Hollow Cemetery tour in the last update wasn’t “clickable”.  Here’s the link again, clickable this time:
 
Fans may attend the Sunday evening, June 26 DS afterglow visit to the legendary Sleepy Hollow Cemetery in Tarrytown, approximately 10 minutes from the DoubleTree Hotel. The cost for this private DS tour from 5:30 - 6:30 pm is $10 payable directly to Sleepy Hollow upon arrival at the cemetery or in advance at the special online link:
https://www.showclix.com/event/dark-shadows-private-tour2016

LOL, Gothick.  That happens to me sometimes too but is a normal thing, I'm sure.  {{hugs}}

I'm sure this film has been a part of the debate that Gothick spoke about concerning the earliest depictions in the media of silver and vampires.  (Thanks to Kosmo for telling me about this 1945 gem.)  The Vampire's Ghost is set in colonial Africa (where, unfortunately for the title character, the natives are knowledgeable about vampire lore), and the weapon in this case is a spear tip dipped in molten silver that causes crippling pain the 400-year-old vampire.  If you're interested, you can catch it here. There's a nod to the 1931 Dracula, and in a cool similarity to the Maggie kidnapping, the vampire chooses a mate, and with her in his thrall, implores her to "walk with me through the dark shadows of eternity."  The full movie clocks in at under an hour.