SHADOWGRAM OFFICIAL ONLINE DARK SHADOWS NEWS:
SHADOWGRAM NEWS UPDATE # 326
GUEST EDITORIAL:
As Marcy told some of you at the recent Dark Shadows Festival in Tarrytown, NY, she was scheduled for surgery on July 2, 2014. She’s doing well, but is not able to do email at this time. So I’m “guest editor” for this ShadowGram Update.
Kathleen Resch
Hello, Dark Shadows Fan,
ShadowGram (SG), The Official Newsletter & News Source for Dark Shadows (DS), announces the following key breaking news in this Official DS News Online Update "bulletin."
--ROBERT COSTELLO, ORIGINAL DARK SHADOWS PRODUCER PASSES
--DARK SHADOWS WEEKEND 2014 REPORT & 2015 CRUISE UPDATE
ROBERT COSTELLO, ORIGINAL DARK SHADOWS PRODUCER PASSES
It is with great sadness that SG reports the death of ROBERT COSTELLO at age 93. Costello was hired by Dark Shadows creator/executive producer Dan Curtis in 1965 to serve as line producer on the daily Gothic series for ABC. Costello had worked with DS music composer Robert Cobert on earlier television productions and Cobert had recommended Costello to Curtis for the job.
Costello remained with DS until mid-1969 when he departed to produce the short-lived "Strange Paradise," another eerie daily serial which was shot in Canada and syndicated to stations in the U.S., lasting a total of 195 episodes over 9 months.
Prior to DS, Costello had produced numerous live television dramas including the "Armstrong Circle Theatre" and the initial season of "The Patty Duke Show." But "Dark Shadows" would ultimately be his most celebrated association as he helped develop the show's visual style by enlisting scenic designer Sy Tomashoff, with whom he'd also worked on "Armstrong" and collaborating with the rest of the technical team to establish special effects as DS became more involved with the supernatural world of ghosts, vampires and other spooky elements.
In the 1970s, Costello would go on to produce the acclaimed PBS mini-series "The Adams Chronicles" as well as episodes of the long-running soap operas "Ryan's Hope" and "Another World." During this period he also married Sybil Weinberger, who had served as the music supervisor on DS. Costello later taught a television course at New York University and appeared as a guest at Dark Shadows Festivals in the 1980s as well as taping a video interview for the MPI DS releases in the 1990s.
DARK SHADOWS WEEKEND 2014 REPORT & 2015 CRUISE UPDATE
Over two days in Tarrytown, New York, a thousand fans enjoyed meeting together with actors from the original Dark Shadows to celebrate its lasting appeal. On Saturday, June 28, activities began at noon on the grounds of the Lyndhurst Estate where the motion pictures "House Of Dark Shadows" (1970) and "Night of Dark Shadows" (1971) were filmed. Fan were able to tour the mansion, which features original furnishings dating back over a century as well as traverse the lushly landscaped, sprawling grounds over-looking the Hudson River. The Lyndhurst property features numerous structures including a massive greenhouse, bowling alley, laundry building, guest house, caretaker's cottage, servant's quarters, pool house and stables complex.
Autographs with guests David Selby, Kathryn Leigh Scott, Lara Parker, Christopher Pennock, Marie Wallace, James Storm and Sharon Smyth were held in the carriage house with special screenings and performances taking place in the adjacent courtyard, which was covered with an air-conditioned tent for the occasion. Among the highlights were David Selby singing and reciting his songs "Light & Shadows" with guitar accompaniment by James Storm and David's wife Chip on piano. All of the actors participated in a question-and-answer session and a charity auction of Dark Shadows collectibles was conducted to benefit Lyndhurst, a National Historic Trust site. Saturday evening finished with screenings of "House of Dark Shadows" and "Night of Dark Shadows." Later, at the neighboring DoubleTree Hotel, Sharon Smyth hosted a large group of fans with after-hours ghost stories and fun under the stars.
On Sunday, June 29, a Dark Shadows Luncheon began at 11:30 at the DoubleTree. Door prizes were awarded to lucky winners and following dessert, onstage appearances by the actors included a joyful musical trio song-and-dance by Lara Parker, Kathryn Leigh Scott and Marie Wallace. James Storm followed on guitar with a few country-folk selections, and Christopher Pennock offered a humorous rendition of one of his Dark Shadows comic book tales. David Selby gave a closing speech to the crowd before the afternoon autograph session began in the adjoining corridor. Late Sunday afternoon, many fans joined an optional Dark Shadows guided tour of the historic Sleepy Hollow Cemetery where portions of "House of Dark Shadows" had been shot.
For 2015, the official Dark Shadows event will be a special Caribbean Cruise with the Stars to Martinique and other islands with Lara Parker, Kathryn Leigh Scott, Jerry Lacy, Kathleen Cody and Marie Wallace, taking place January 10-17. New lower fares are available with a refundable deposit. Details can be found at
www.hartfordholidays.com/dsfmartinique2015 or by calling 1-800-828-4813 weekdays, Eastern Standard Time.
**** The huge Double SG # 122-#123 is the current Official DS Published Newsletter. The late Jonathan Frid (Barnabas) is remembered with photos, biographical information, and career highlights. He also is fondly and gently saluted by MARIE WALLACE (DS’ Eve, Jenny, Megan). Her unique perspective extends outside DS, as they were longtime friends. Jonathan directed a 1993 college stage production of “The Lion in Winter” in Milledgeville, Georgia, in which Marie starred. He earned a Masters in Fine Art in directing from the Yale School of Drama
The Double SG also features news and information direct from the DS cast / crew about their projects and activities, Dan Curtis Productions, the DS Festival, MPI, Big Finish Productions, Hermes Press, and others involved in DS today. There are photos, announcements, reports, publicity materials, media coverage, and updates for DS guest/fan gatherings, plus all the DS news and plans.
