Pilot Pt. 1 VO: Joanna Going Air: Jan. 13 1991
Hey guys. I wrote two pages (front and page) and am gonna try and condense as much as I can. I get really nostalgic watching DS '91 because like the original fans feel about Dark Shadows, I feel the same way about this version. It was my foray into the world of Dark Shadows and I was hooked from the first 5 minutes. I think in many ways in changed the course of my life and was a key factor in my coming out. Isn't it amazing how art can make such a mark on our lives?? Onto the review!
I absolutely love how Dark Shadows opens. It have a very cinematic feel to it. I for one am glad they opted to treat this like a movie by not having a traditional opening credits. I love how the camera pans down towards the train with the sun in low in sky. I also love the beautiful rays that bounce off the camera and cause that really neat looking ball of light. It makes for an amazing effect. Right off I am drawn into this mysterious world as the gorgeous Victoria Winters introduces herself and like her we enter into the world of Dark Shadows. We also are quickly introduced to Carloyn (complete with a leather '90's miniskirt) and a very 'cocky' attitude. We also met Mrs. Johnson, Elizabeth, and Daphne Collins. I too like many others always wondered how Daphne was related to the family?? I think Jean Simmons is a beautiful woman and I love her beautiful rich, thick English accent. I too wonder if she was reared in ENGLAND as Roger doesn't have the accent. I suspect if the show had continued we may have been privy to that information.
We see the camera pan down from a sign that says "COLLINSPORT" and to me this is when the score really begins to amp up. I am immediately drawn deeper into the show by the music.
Side Note: My first visual encounter with DS was this show. However, I used to listen to my mother's DS record she had left at my Grandmother's house. There was nothing but the record (no sleeve) left but the music was very scary and haunting to me. SO in a way I have to thank the original DS record for bringing DS to my attention. Once I saw the promos in TV GUIDE for DS '91 I set out to watch. My Joanna Going is one lovely woman and I think there was no other actress who could have played Victoria '91. Or maybe I am just parcel?? LOL
I noticed as Mrs. J tries to call Willie we see there are phone lines going "OUT" to the "School Room" "Gate" "Drawing Room" "Green House" and "Stable" My Collinwood is a vast estate indeed. The Drawing Room, The Foyer, and Grand Staircase are my favorite sets on the show. They are beautifully built, wonderfully decorated, and just BEYOND GRAND!!!
I notice that Willie is reading THE BOOK OF THE DEAD. Is this a fictional or real book?
Right off I really really like Maggie. I think Ely Pouget was an wonderful choice and I wish she had gotten more work over the years. I was so pleased to see her in an episode of Season 7 of Charmed. By the way MB you said at one time that Ely Pouget wasn't going to be in the show as much but the producers liked her so much they included more. Was Maggie just gonna be a kind of side character??
I for one was outright aggravated that Carolyn called Victoria "Vickie"! UGHHH!! First of all I thought that was rather rude. She could have said, "May I call you Vickie" I thought it was quite presumptuous on her part. Plus if anyone ever notices in my post I never refer to Victoria as Vickie because I feel that when you reduce Victoria to Vickie it ruins a EXQUSITE name to a common sounding name! I have always said if I am blessed with a daughter one day I will call her Victoria and defy anyone to call her Vickie and she will grow up knowing she isn't to be called Vickie!! No offense to anyone out there that uses Vickie. I just find Victoria more regal and if I remember correctly Barnabas '91 never calls her Vickie. Which I think is perfect. I cannot see a 18Th century man calling Victoria, Vickie!
Sorry for the !!
Great high shot of the Victoria, Carolyn, and Elizabeth as they excite the Foyer. A storm is brewing which is never a good sign. As Willie goes back and for between the lion and the dove there is a great LOW shot of a tomb that has COLLINS emblazoned on the side of it. Wonder which ancestor is interned in it? The possibilities were endless....
I kinda of wonder how bats got into the secret room and how they survived??
The staircase is my favorite. Now that is a GRAND STAIRCASE!! I wonder who the man is in the other portrait on the landing?? I also like the fact that no one really knows how many rooms there are in the house. Very cool. I think that was a great way to go as it opens up a lot more possibilities.
Joseph Gordon Levitt is a great little actor and I knew he would go very very far one day. I suggest Latter Days. If you are a gay man it will pull at your heartstrings and if you are gay friendly it will too. I also suggest his movie he did with Greg Araki called Mysterious Skin.
I suspect Barnabas really made a lot of money from those old jewels. I suspect this is where he attains his monies from at least for a while. I guess he could also invest in business ventures as long as he could conduct his work at night.
I absolutely love the shot of Barnabas walking towards Collinwood. Beautifully shot with all the elements in place. I also love when Barnabas gazes all around the Foyer and sees endless portraits hanging on the wall. GOOD LORD what high ceilings!!
I love the scene with Barnabas, Carolyn, Elizabeth and Roger. I also love the fact that the "ORIGINAL" Barnabas helped to elect John Adams "...along with Thomas Jefferson as his Vice President" I am gonna forgive their error because this is the world of Dark Shadows and they can make their own rules. I swear Carolyn looks as if she is sizing up her own cousin! LOL She is so slinky!! Also I read it here or some reviewer commented that Ben Cross was too tan to play Barnabas. However, I disagree. He had fed on Willie and drained poor ole Daphne almost to death hence the color back in his skin. If you will notice later on in the series, [spoiler]he is very pale before going to bite other victims.[/spoiler] My favorite scene of this first part is Barnabas telling the story of how Collinwood was assembled. He told it with such conviction and verve. I believed every word and it was a wonderfully written monologue perfectly executeted by Ben Cross. "Money is of no consequence" Barnabas tells his cousins as he says he wants to restore the Old House. I think to myself. IT MUST BE NICE!!!
"I can't believe it! Our family's first home in America come back to life"
Elizabeth "Yeeeeeeeeeeees"
Barnabas I absolutely loved how Ben Cross delivered that line. As David comes into the room he seem to almost be in a trance. GREAT closeup on Ben Cross as he looks upon Sarah's portrait. He has nice lips!
I love the closing scenes of Barnabas making his way toward The Old House. Great cinematography. I love the final shot as he says, "Father! I have come home"
B+ Only because I think this episode did a good job of laying the groundwork however I think it could have been improved in some areas. For example: A drunken Willie driving Victoria and the rushed plot. And also because I think better installments are to come which will warrant a higher score.
I again want to extend my thanks to our WONDERFUL mods for granting my wish, my hats off to you both!! I look forward to reliving this glorious series in the next few months!