SHADOWGRAM OFFICIAL ONLINE DARK SHADOWS NEWS UPDATE # 293
August 23, 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 IN MEDICAL REHABILITATION
**** LARA PARKER – NEW DS NOVEL BOOK TOUR UNDERWAY
***** UPDATE: JOHN KARLEN IN REHAB CENTER
SG Update # 292 reported that JOHN (Willie, Carl, William H. Loomis, Desmond, Kendrick, NODS’ Alex) has been convalescing in a Los Angeles rehabilitation facility for the past several weeks, dealing with various health issues.
The Update noted some of his DS colleagues have had visits with him: David Selby (Quentin), Lara Parker (Angelique), Kathryn Leigh Scott (Maggie), and Jim Storm (Gerard). Robert Rodan (Adam) also recently visited him.
Today (Aug. 23), Jim Pierson (DS Festival director/Dan Curtis Productions rep) and myself (Marcy Robin, SG Editor/Publisher) spent time with him in his room at the center.
We had a lively conversation ranging over a variety of subjects. John discussed musical/acting performers he’s admired over the years. “No one can top” Bobby Darin for his multi-faceted singing talents, or Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers for their incomparable dancing skills, or Sammy Davis Jr. (an old friend of John’s) for his delightful abilities in singing, acting, comedy, and more.
He greeted us warmly and firmly shook hands with both of us when we were leaving. He’s thinner than he’s been in decades, but looks good and was very animated in conversation. He says his son Adam "is beautiful" (tapping his heart as he said it) for supporting him during this time. He continues to deal with mobility issues and diabetes-related complications, but remains upbeat and appreciative of all the get-well wishes he’s received from DS fans via cards and letters.
John hopes to be leaving the rehabilitation center in a few days to a new home where he will be looked after by a nurse while he pursues his desire to regain his health.
He also said he’s looking forward to attending the 2014 DS Festival next summer in Tarrytown, NY. (SG will announce confirmed details soon.) This would be his first DS event in nearly 4 years.
While reminiscing with us today, John recalled being part of the very first DS convention in 1977 when he appeared as our only DS guest during the ShadowCon part of StarCon in San Diego (see SG Update # 292). Over the decades, he’s has been a major part of DS Fest reunions in California, New York, and New Jersey. In recent years, he’s reprised his original characters of “Willie” and “Carl” in various new DS episodes done as audio dramas for Big Finish Productions, available on CD and via digital downloads online.
During his rehabilitation, John enjoys watching sports and old movies on television, in addition to partaking of take-out food he orders in place of what he says is the “inedible cuisine“ served at the center.
If you have not yet sent John a get-well message and would like to do so, please send it by postal-mail only (He has no computer or internet).
John Karlen
Studio City Rehabilitation Center, Room 10
11429 Ventura Blvd.
Studio City, CA 91604
SG thanks you for sharing your good wishes and healing thoughts with him!
**** LARA PARKER IN BOOKSTORE EVENTS FOR HER NEW DS NOVEL
SG Update # 291 detailed Lara’s appearances from now until mid-September as she travels the country to promote her 3rd DS novel, “Dark Shadows: Wolf Moon Rising.”
She launched the 3-week tour on the Aug. 20 official publication date with an autograph session, reading, and audience Q&A at the Barnes & Noble store at the trendy The Grove in Los Angeles. Among the attendees were her DS colleagues Kathryn Leigh Scott (Maggie) and Roger Davis (Jeff). Her husband, sons, daughter-in-law, and grandson Wesley also were there.
The enthusiastic crowd of 50+ welcomed her and enjoyed her reading. Interesting questions were posed about the human fascination with the Vampire: “We want to be immortal, to live forever, yet we are repulsed by death itself.” There is “a fascination with the idea that someone might rise from the dead,” in a way defeating it while also causing others to suffer and die.
Lara was at Mysterious Galaxy in San Diego the next night, Aug. 22, where approximately 20 people joined her for a reading, autographs, and photos.
Tonight (Aug. 23), she was at Borderlands Books in San Francisco.
SG here repeats the rest of her book tour appearances. I hope many of you can attend. Please share your photos, reports, any media coverage and publicity with SG. Send all materials to SG’s e- or postal- mail addresses, found in this Update.
Sun., Aug. 25 – 4:00 pm – Barnes & Noble - 7227 SW Bridgeport Road, Tigard, OR (Portland - Bridgeport area). (503) 431-7575.
Fri.-Sun., Aug. 30 – Sept. 1 – DragonCon convention (with Kathryn Leigh Scott) – Atlanta, GA 30303.
www.dragoncon.orgWed., Sept. 4 – 7:00 pm - Barnes & Noble, 2416 E. Colonial Dr., Orlando, FL 32803. (407) 894-6024.
Thurs, Sept. 5 – 6:00 pm – Booksellers at Laurelwood, 387 Perkins Extended, Memphis, TN 3811. (901) 683-9801.
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
FOR THE RECORD: SG apologizes for any confusion: In Update # 291, I inadvertently wrote Monday, Sept.14. It actually is a Saturday, as noted above.
Marcy Robin