A DS Christmas Carol

Hi!

Just read the transcript of the webchat with Dan Curtis and I was blown away by his having wanted to present a production of A CHRISTMAS CAROL using the DS castmembers during the series' original run.  That would have been incredible.

Personally, I think Louis Edmonds would have made a perfect Scrooge, more so than Frid.  I like the idea of Thayer David as Marley's Ghost, and could see Frid, Hall, and Parker as the Ghosts of Christmases Past, Present, and Future.

The production would have been a real treat for all DS fans.  It's a shame that it never happened.

Regards,

John

that would have been a really cool production.
and a great treat for the Dark Shadows fans ...

jon

I think we can safely assume the role of poor, abused, long suffering Bob Cratchit  would have gone to John Karlen.  It would have been a walk in the park.....after all, even SCROOGE never took a cane to Bob Cratchit!!

Rainey  

I think we can safely assume the role of poor, abused, long suffering Bob Cratchit  would have gone to John Karlen.  It would have been a walk in the park.....after all, even SCROOGE never took a cane to Bob Cratchit!!

Hey Rainey, I would not be too sure about that selection. The "Bob Cratchit" character was a serious fellow as I recall from Dickens' title. Don't you think it is a role for Anthony George, Matthew Ryan, Don Briscoe, or David Selby?

I see Edmonds as Scrooge as well as Joel Crothers as young Scrooge and David Ford as the ever-jovial Fezziwig.

I wonder if they would have added some elements that were "distinctly dark shadows" to the story

I see Edmonds as Scrooge as well as Joel Crothers as young Scrooge and David Ford as the ever-jovial Fezziwig.

Yes, I can see David Ford as Fezziwig and Nancy Barrett or KLS as Belle. Another good character selection would be Craig Slocum or Michael Stroka as that pawn shop owner.

If I was gonna cast A Christmas Carol, using the original DS cast, this is how it would go (I'm basing it on the Alistair Sims film version):

Scrooge - Louis Edmonds
Cratchit  - John Karlen
Marley    - Jonathan Frid
Mrs. Cratchit - Terry Crawford
Tiny Tim--one of those annoying Leviathan brats!
Ghost of Christmas Past - Grayson Hall
Chost of Christmas Present - Joel Crothers
Ghost of Christmas Future - Diablos!
Belle - Lara Parker
Young Ebeneezer (at school) - David Henesy
Young Fan (his sister) - Denise Nickerson
Marley as a young man - Craig Slocum!
Mr. Fezziwig - Jerry Lacy
Mrs. Fezziwig - Clarice Blackburn
Old Belle - Joan Bennett (seen administering to the sick on Christmas Eve)
Housekeeper to Scrooge (who tears down bedcurtains) - Marie Wallace!
Pawn Shop Owner - Abe Vigoda
Fred, Scrooge's nephew - David Selby
Fred's Wife - Nancy Barrett
Two men who solicit Scrooge for charity on Christmas Eve ("are there no workhouse?!") - Roger Davis and Humbert Allen Astredo
Men at the stock exchange - Michael Stroka, Anthony George, David Ford
Boy who buys turkey - another annoying Leviathan brat!
Crazed hippie - Chris Pennock (oh, forgot--there's no character like that, right?)
Robotic toy seen in store window - Robert Rodan

Did I forget anyone?

Rod  

Did I forget anyone?

Well, yes, but I am thankful that you forgot the ones you did! Superb casting, it would have been great.

If I was gonna cast A Christmas Carol, using the original DS cast, this is how it would go (I'm basing it on the Alistair Sims film version):

I had never thought about seeing the DS cast working ensemble in something completely different.  I'd be interested in hearing more detail about Dan Curtis' proposed "Christmas Carol."  Was this to be for TV?  Was he seriously working on the idea?  What happened?

Note:  If the answers to these questions are in the web chat interview mentioned, could someone direct me to where I could read that interview?  Or do you need AOL or some type of membership somewhere?

Thanks!

i've only heard and i think it was mentioned at this year's FEST or at the Anniversary celebration. . DC said he'd wanted to do a CC sendup. . ??

Vlad,

The Dan Curtis transcript can be found at http://www.darkshadowsdvd.com/transcript3.asp
I'm afraid there's only a brief mention of the Christmas Carol idea though.  If I recall, Curtis also brought up the topic during the Paley Festival panel last year.  I got the impression that he had only toyed with the idea.

ProfStokes

If I recall, Curtis also brought up the topic during the Paley Festival panel last year.  I got the impression that he had only toyed with the idea.

Yes, it was mentioned by Mr. Curtis at the Paley Festival. I think he said it had something to do with time limitations as to the reason the idea never materialized.

It was an idea Curtis was kicking about around Winter 69, I think, as it was reported at the time in one of the fan newsletters.  Basically, the storyline would have been suspended for a week or so, and there would have been a DS version of "A Christmas Carol" filling the void, just in time for the festive season.

Pity it never happened -- I think it would have been amazing

Yes, it was mentioned by Mr. Curtis at the Paley Festival. I think he said it had something to do with time limitations as to the reason the idea never materialized.

This is what's in my notes from the Paley tribute:

"DC:  he had an idea never tried, never told anyone-- during Christmas holiday - were no ratings, show was booming along - wanted whole group to perform Dickens' 'Christmas Carol'."

That's all that was said about it.