Terror at Collinwood

[PennyDreadful]

Terror at Collinwood Episode 94: “Dark Shadows Forever!” with Lorraine Treadwell, Rick Boissonneau, and Schuarah Sykes

Lorraine Treadwell, Rick Boissonneau, and Schuarah Sykes are original east coast Dark Shadows fans who attended and participated in many Dark Shadows Festivals and Collins Association events. In the course of attending the Festivals, they became good friends and have remained so for over 30 years. They visit the podcast to share stories about adventures and encounters with the likes of Joan Bennett, Michael Stroka, Diana Millay, Jonathan Frid, Lara Parker, Abe Vigoda, Marie Wallace, Christopher Pennock, David Selby, Nancy Barrett, Kathryn Leigh Scott, Terry Crawford, Denise Nickerson, James Storm, John Karlen, Roger Davis, Conrad Bain, Sy Tomashoff, Edith Tilles, Dick Smith, Adrian Paul, and photographer Ben Martin. Other topics include: the continued appeal of DS, the differences between Star Trek conventions and Dark Shadows conventions, Rick’s Haunted Room at the Collins Association Halloween parties where the DS actors reprised their Dark Shadows roles as part of this unique DS-themed Haunt, the Witch’s Dungeon classic movie museum, and the book, Dark Shadows: A View of Collinsport.
 
AUDIO VERSION:
 www.terroratcollinwood.com/episodes/terror-at-collinwood-episode-94-dark-shadows-forever-with-lorraine-treadwell-rick-boissonneau-and-schuarah-sykes
 
VIDEO VERSION:
https://youtu.be/LOgma4HzIQc

[PennyDreadful]

Terror at Collinwood Episode 95: Why Dark Shadows Ended with Mary O’Leary

In this must-listen/must-watch episode, Daytime Emmy and Saturn Award-winning producer and director Mary O’Leary returns to the podcast to shed light on the question that has haunted Dark Shadows fans since 1971 – WHY DID THE SHOW GET CANCELED? In addition to material she initially presented in her Jonathan Frid documentary, Mary shares information that has never been heard before, including the fact that ABC wanted to cancel another show instead of Dark Shadows. While there are still pieces of the puzzle missing, this episode helps to clear up some long-held misconceptions and may well offer the most compelling answers as to why the show met its demise. IMORTANT NOTE: The VIDEO version of this episode on YouTube features visual evidence in the form of rarely seen letters, articles, and more. Join us for this deep-dive whodunit episode that seeks to answer the question, “why was Dark Shadows canceled?”
 
AUDIO VERSION:
www.terroratcollinwood.com/episodes/terror-at-collinwood-episode-95-why-dark-shadows-ended-with-mary-oleary

VIDEO VERSION:
https://youtu.be/BovuCHnW5xs

[Mysterious Benefactor]

   This sounds like a must watch installment. And I definitely will as soon as I get the chance...

[Mysterious Benefactor]

Wow, what a fascinating installment - most definitely a must watch/listen for fans. It's great to finally see completely tangible proof of what was going on behind the scenes, situations that some fans have been in complete denial of, but which they'll have to believe now that it's being presented in black and white in actual letters.

Another thing: some fans of hoDS have been to say the least reluctant to believe how badly the film was reviewed by the mainstream entertainment press, something I've pointed out numerous times only to have those fans insist it wasn't true. So again, tangible proof in the form of actual reviews might finally help to make it clear to them that it is true.

And when it comes to the whole situation with Frid in the final months of the show and how some have said he said he didn't want to play Barnabas anymore, as the podcast rightly points out he never said that. Though what I'd heard was that what he said was that he didn't want to play Barnabas as a vampire. But with all the friction between DC and Frid back then, if that bit really is what he said, it doesn't always seem to get mentioned.

Very strange notion that they were actually trying to cast Barnabas' "brother." Maybe it was really a recast of Barnabas, maybe not. But who knows how Barnabas could have had a brother unless, like on Happy Days, where the eldest Cunningham child went upstairs and was never heard from or talked about again, Barnabas' brother did the same so that's why he never factored into 1795/96.    Or maybe Joshua had banished him for some reason, which is something I could easily see Joshua doing, and not only was everyone to act as if he never existed, he wouldn't have even been included in the family history. So, perhaps Barnabas' heretofore unknown brother was going to miraculously appear through some supernatural twist. Who knows?

It's also interesting to see tidbits of information that hasn't been widely known, like how Frid was guaranteed 26 eps in a 13 week cycle, and how he was paid $400 per ep.

And there are two things have always perplexed me, and those are things that Diana Millay and James Storm have said. Diana claimed on many occasions that during the last months of the show she was preparing to return as Laura, and James has said that he was having costume fittings to play a different character. The thing is, though, that in their remarks I don't remember if either ever pinned down the actual time frame when those things took place. Perhaps it was before it was decided to do 1841PT after 1840 and the storyline Diana and James were gearing up for was simply jettisoned when the show was canceled. But it would be interesting if even after it had been announced that the show had been canceled and the show was already working on 1841PT, they were still making plans for some sort of upcoming storyline should some sort of reprieve/uncancelation happen...

And two sidenotes:

Love the flash of the I Ching wands to go back and change things.

And, well, I am so jealous:



And finally, I just about fell out of my seat when I received a shout out regarding how the ratings probably didn't factor too much into the cancellation as some might think. That was very nice of you - though it's not like others haven't said the same thing. I just try to always point it out because of the fact that back in the day other shows with ratings lower than 12 million viewers weren't canceled. I mean, at the time All My Children was lower rated than DS was when it was cancelled, yet AMC wasn't canceled. According to research I've seen, the top soaps of the '70s saw about 10 million viewers, so if DS had not been canceled and had retained the 12 million, it would have been among those top soaps during the '70s...

[Uncle Roger]

Soaps frequently use of the plot device of forgotten or misplaced children. Blake and Alexis Carrington started the series with two children and ended it with four, three of them recast. I suppose that it wouldn't have been too convoluted for the show to justify the appearance of the long lost brother. I would think that Angelique (or someone) would have cast a spell of some sort to make everyone forget him. And, since Angelique's spells often went awry, she caused herself to forget as well.
I'd heard Diana Millay make that statement about returning to the show numerous times. I used to dismiss it as Diana being, well, Diana. Perhaps a Laura centered storyline was going to be the focus of the show while NODS was being filmed, just as the Alexis/Angelique story was the lead story during the making of HODS. I don't remember where I saw them but I do recall seeing wardrobe tests of James Storm in clothes that he didn't wear on screen as Gerard.
I may have this in a fanzine from the day but if the show had continued, it would have returned to the present. Kate Jackson would have been recast as Tracy (!), as Elizabeth's assistant/companion since the kids were no longer in need of a governess. Keith Prentice and Storm would also play new characters. One of them was going to be the villain but I don't remember which one. Louis Edmonds, who had his own issues with DC, was supposed to be leaving the show permanently so Roger probably would have been killed off. Though it might have been done differently than in Sam Hall's infamous article.

[PennyDreadful]

Thanks, MB! I was very happy to quote you, and the info helped to inform the ratings topic! Thanks for all the info you've shared over the years.

Re: James Storm's costume fitting - I asked him about this when he was on the podcast because I had a thought about it. Jim said the new character's costume that he was being fitted for was a "19th century costume" and he found out about the cancelation while he was being fitted for it. I'm fairly certain that the character was actually 1841 Parallel Time Gerard. He was only in two episodes, the first of which was taped on Feb. 1, 1971 and the second on Feb. 2, 1971. If Jim found out about the cancelation in mid-January of 1971, as did the other actors, it would have been before his first taping for PT Gerard. Adding to this, when he was at Remembrance weekend, he claimed to have only played one character in the show - Gerard. Thus, I think he's been conflating both characters, not realizing that they are distinct.

Re: the Angelique model, here are a couple of pics! You can get one at Rise 3D Models: https://rise3dprintingshop.com/products/exquisite-3d-printed-replica-of-angelique-bouchard-collins-night-of-the-dark-shadows?fbclid=IwY2xjawFKqDRleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHWotAg3vaZopGp7T_B0jMBURjqK-5uCfrvbsNanrz0yes5dAxqYzLHqsuQ_aem_NJmFSWiw6AapSAP0G8qd0A

I can't build or paint these so the brilliant Rick Pastore was kind enough to do it for me. He even made a little NoDS sign and added some moss and branches.

[Mysterious Benefactor]

Re: the Angelique model, here are a couple of pics! You can get one at Rise 3D Models:

Very interesting. I had no idea it's available.    Thanks for the link.

Odd that the description identifies the Angelique of the series even though the item itself is identified as being from NoDS. But hey, we know the difference. 

Time to get my credit card and order...

[Mysterious Benefactor]

I just heard from a friend who went to buy the Angelique model only to find out it's sold out. I wonder if that's because I bought the last one of if you posting the link here sent other unaware NoDS fans to flock to the Rise 3D site to get one too?

Although, presumably they can just run the program again and print some more...

[Mysterious Benefactor]

For some reason that's a bit puzzling, considering I've already bought it, I received a text today that the model is back in stock, though in only a low quantity. I suppose that means that anyone who may want one should order soon.

But something that's equally puzzling: the other day I read on the Rise 3D Web site that their items are made to order and they "do not keep items in physical inventory." So, how does one square an item being in stock but not in physical inventory? I suppose only they know for sure...

[PennyDreadful]

That is really strange, MB!
I'm glad you were able to get one!
I know they bring some to conventions as well because the first time I saw the Angelique model was at WonderFest.

Terror at Collinwood Episode 96: The Dark Shadows Podcast of Questions & Answers Volume 3

In the tradition of Dale Clark’s memorable fan publications, comes the Dark Shadows Podcast of Questions & Answers volume THREE! In this installment, Penny Dreadful addresses the following questions: How did Roxanne become a vampire in the unaltered 1840? Why isn’t Chris Jennings’ brother Tom also werewolf? Was Angelique really at Collinwood in the original run of 1897, as we see in a flashback? Is it an error that silver bullets can be used to destroy vampires on Dark Shadows? How can Barnabas be rendered unconscious in a car accident if he's a vampire? Why does Josette’s music box play two different themes? What happened to the blackmail money that Elizabeth Collins Stoddard deposited into a Swiss bank account for Jason McGuire? When the ghost of Sarah Collins says, “Those who were here before have come back, and they’re angry, and there’s someone in this house they want to destroy,” to whom is she referring? The episode ends with promotion for other Dark Shadows and horror-related podcasts, shows, books, and projects.
 
AUDIO VERSION:
www.terroratcollinwood.com/episodes/terror-at-collinwood-episode-96-the-dark-shadows-podcast-of-questions-amp-answers-volume-3
 
VIDEO VERSION:
https://youtu.be/VoqeP05BUJk

[Mysterious Benefactor]

I'm glad you were able to get one!

Well, unfortunately I haven't gotten it yet because they say it takes "6 to 8 weeks processing time from time of order." (Another thing that if it's "in stock," who knows why?) Plus, there's a notice at the top of every page of the Web site that says, "Possible delay in shipping due to family expansion *It's a Girl*" Before that notice, I was hoping to get it around mid-to-late October. Now, who knows? But hey, I've lived without it this long, so I can hold on until it actually gets here. 

[Mysterious Benefactor]

   I just received a text that my order has shipped and will supposedly arrive October 12th. I suppose I'll see...

[PennyDreadful]

Hope the model kit arrives by the 12th, MB!


Terror at Collinwood Episode 97: Kingdom of the Dead Big Finish Audio Drama with Eric Wallace & Stuart Manning

Kingdom of the Dead is a four-part, full cast Dark Shadows audio drama released by Big Finish in 2010. The story features new supernatural adversaries such as Seraph (David Warner) and Dr. Rankin (Lysette Anthony) as well as many established DS characters such as Barnabas (Andrew Collins), Angelique (Lara Parker), Quentin (David Selby), Maggie (Kathryn Leigh Scott), Willie (John Karlen), and more! Visiting the podcast to discuss this popular Big Finish audio release are its co-writers, Eric Wallace (The Flash, Eureka, Z Nation, Teen Wolf) and Stuart Manning (Big Finish Dark Shadows and Doctor Who audio dramas, Remembering Jon Pertwee, Doctor Who Magazine, Daytime Gothic). Listen to the creators of this epic DS story as they revisit the ins and outs of its plot and talk about what went into putting it together. Additional topics of conversation include: Creative influence of DS on Eric, followup thoughts on the end of DS as a TV series, Stuart clears up the misconception about "who kept the tapes". NOTE: The VIDEO version of this episode on YouTube includes many previously unseen photos of the Big Finish DS cast and crew. These were taken at the recording sessions during the making of Kingdom of the Dead. A few were also snapped during the recordings for London's Burning and The Night Whispers. Many thanks to Stuart Manning for sending these photos along. Pictures were taken by Eric Wallace, Darren Gross, and Stuart Manning.

AUDIO VERSION:
 www.terroratcollinwood.com/episodes/terror-at-collinwood-episode-97-kingdom-of-the-dead-big-finish-audio-drama-with-eric-wallace-amp-stuart-manning

VIDEO VERSION:
https://youtu.be/dRlZlXi5pvI

Be sure to subscribe to the TERROR AT COLLINWOOD YouTube Channel for video episodes and/or Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Podbean, IHeartRadio, Audible, etc. for the audio version of the show.

[Mysterious Benefactor]

Hope the model kit arrives by the 12th, MB!

Thanks. Fingers crossed. Though I just checked the tracking and it hasn't been updated since the label was created this morning. UPS still says they don't even have possession of the package yet. Hopefully that's just because they haven't had the chance to update the progress. But who knows?

[McTrooper]

Just listened to Terror at Collinwood Episode 43: Angelique's 55th Anniversary with Lara Parker.
Posted on page 5 in this thread.

Great interview