Terror at Collinwood

[PennyDreadful]

Terror at Collinwood Episode 51: Vote Dan Curtis for Rondo Awards Monster Kid Hall of Fame!

The twenty-first annual Rondo Hatton Classic Horror Awards are upon us! A special category in the Rondos is the write-in for Monster Kid Hall of Fame, which honors those who’ve made a permanent mark on the world of classic horror appreciation. Many of the inductees are/were fans of the genre themselves. This award is a rare distinction indeed, and there are several notable recipients. Missing from the list, however, is Dark Shadows creator Dan Curtis! This episode of Terror at Collinwood includes a series of interview clips featuring Dan Curtis himself, along with writer Sam Hall and actress Lara Parker. The clips help illustrate why Curtis should be considered for Monster Kid Hall of Fame status. A known enthusiast of classic terror tales and motion pictures, Curtis certainly made prominent puncture marks on the genre with Dark Shadows. He also unleashed the iconic The Night Stalker and The Night Strangler, and he helmed adaptations of Dracula, Frankenstein, The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, The Turn of the Screw, and The Picture of Dorian Gray. He directed both Dark Shadows MGM feature films, the horror cult classics Burnt Offerings, Trilogy of Terror, Dead of Night, and many more! After his epic miniseries Winds of War and War and Remembrance, he returned to the world of the gothic with the 1991 Dark Shadows revival series, which featured horror legend Barbara Steele (who is also long past due for induction into the Monster Kid Hall of Fame). See the full ballot at https://rondoaward.com/ and email your votes to taraco@aol.com. Voting is open until Sunday at midnight, April 23, 2023. PS - And thanks to those who nominated Terror at Collinwood for Best Podcast and Penny Dreadful for Favorite Horror Host. It's an honor to be on the ballot, twice!

Video version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pcIZBd7K8Bc

Audio version: https://www.terroratcollinwood.com/episodes/terror-at-collinwood-episode-51-vote-dan-curtis-for-rondo-awards-monster-kid-hall-of-fame

Or, please subscribe and listen to TERROR AT COLLINWOOD via Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or through your favorite podcast app!

Rondo Awards ballot: https://rondoaward.com/rondoaward.com/blog/

[PennyDreadful]

Terror at Collinwood Episode 52: Dark Shadows - Monstrously Important, Frightfully Influential! with Mark Dawidziak

Mark Dawidziak is a noted television, film, and theatre critic, author, actor, and Journalism Hall of Fame inductee. He visits the podcast for an in-depth discussion about the pivotal influence of Barnabas Collins on vampire fiction, the importance of Dark Shadows to the horror genre, and the fact that DS often doesn’t get enough credit for the significant impact it continues to have on popular culture. Other topics include: Mark’s conversations with Dan Curtis, Mark’s childhood introduction to horror and DS, writing about Carl Kolchak, Dark Shadows and the cultural influence of the 60’s, Edgar Allan Poe, and much more!

Watch the VIDEO version of this episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YBmkHVYXzi0

Download or listen to the AUDIO version of this episode at the ‘Terror at Collinwood’ website: https://www.terroratcollinwood.com/episodes/terror-at-collinwood-episode-52-dark-shadows-monstrously-important-frightfully-influential-with-mark-dawidziak

Or subscribe and listen via Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Spotify, Stitcher, or through your favorite podcast app!

[PennyDreadful]

Terror at Collinwood Episode 53: The Unproduced John August DS Screenplay Discussion - PART 1
 
Tim Burton's ‘Dark Shadows' would have been a very different film had John August’s original screenplay been used instead of Seth Grahame-Smith’s attempt at a comedic rewrite. This episode of ‘Terror at Collinwood’ features the first half of a deep dive discussion about the never-before-seen, non-comedic John August script for the Burton/Depp ‘Dark Shadows’. Returning to the podcast to join the conversation are Patrick McCray, writer of ‘The Dark Shadows Daybook’ and ‘The Dark Shadows Daybook Unbound’, and Madelyn Marks, admin of the ‘Dark Shadows’ Discord server community. Join us for PART ONE of this very rare glimpse into what might have been!
 
Watch the YouTube VIDEO version of the episode here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J8MQ4M7pY7k
 
Listen to the AUDIO version of the episode here:
https://www.terroratcollinwood.com/episodes/terror-at-collinwood-episode-53-the-unproduced-john-august-ds-screenplay-discussion-part-1
 
Please rate and review the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Amazon Music. Be sure to like, and comment on YouTube. And, most importantly, be sure TELL YOUR FIENDISH FRIENDS about ‘Terror at Collinwood’!

[dom]

Wow, I am looking forward to this!!

[PennyDreadful]

Part TWO has arrived...

Terror at Collinwood Episode 54: The Unproduced John August DS Screenplay Discussion - PART 2

Join us to learn “what might have been” in PART TWO of this exclusive examination of John August’s original, unproduced dramatic screenplay for the Tim Burton/Johnny Depp Dark Shadows film. Madelyn Marks, admin of the Dark Shadows Discord server community, and Patrick McCray, writer of ‘The Dark Shadows Daybook’ and ‘The Dark Shadows Daybook Unbound’, sit down with Penny Dreadful for an in-depth discussion about the second half of August’s elusive script, which has never been seen by the public.

Download or listen to the AUDIO version here:
https://www.terroratcollinwood.com/episodes/terror-at-collinwood-episode-54-the-unproduced-john-august-ds-screenplay-discussion-part-2

Or watch the VIDEO version of this episode on YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6dQ-riSPEqs

Subscribe to Terror at Collinwood at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or via your favorite podcast app

[Gothick]

It was fascinating to listen to your detailed commentary upon this screenplay, with excellent comments from Madelyn and Patrick, too.

I never expected the John August screenplay to turn out to have been an even bigger trainwreck than what was eventually filmed from that other writer (Seth Grahame-Smith).

I liked Patrick's theory that August was dictating this whilst drinking and as it went on, he just became less and less coherent. It seems a feasible explanation for just how little any of this made sense.

G.

[PennyDreadful]

Terror at Collinwood Episode 55: Stories from the Shadows - Fandom Memories with Guy Haines, Bob Issel, and Nina Ogle

Returning to ‘Terror at Collinwood’ are Guy Haines, Bob Issel, and Nina Ogle, who all became enamored with ‘Dark Shadows’ when it originally aired in the 1960’s and early 1970’s. They’ve remained steadfast fans of the show, becoming heavily involved in DS fan events and activities over the years. Listen as these three fandom all-stars share many fascinating stories including: how they discovered DS and its fan community, memories of ShadowCon and the Dark Shadows Festivals, meetings and interactions with actors such as Jonathan Frid, Kathryn Leigh Scott, Louis Edmonds, Nancy Barrett, and Joan Bennett, visiting Charles Randolph Grean’s house, parties at Seaview Terrace, creating fan collectibles based on the Ben Cooper Barnabas Collins Halloween costume, trips to Essex, Connecticut to visit “the Evans Cottage”, and much more!

SPECIAL THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO VOTED DAN CURTIS AND PENNY DREADFUL INTO THE RONDO HATTON CLASSIC HORROR AWARDS MONSTER KID HALL OF FAME!!!

Download or listen to the AUDIO version here: https://www.terroratcollinwood.com/episodes/terror-at-collinwood-episode-55-stories-from-the-shadows-fandom-memories-with-guy-haines-bob-issel-and-nina-ogle

Or watch the VIDEO VERSION of this episode, featuring many photos courtesy of Bob Issel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ukMJUK_v-1Q

SUBSCRIBE to TERROR AT COLLINWOOD at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Podbean, YouTube, or via your favorite podcast app!

[Bob_the_Bartender]

Hi, Penny,

Congratulations on your induction into the Rondo Hatton Classic Horror Awards Monster Kid Hall of Fame. I remember seeing the late Rondo Hatton as “The Hoxton Creeper,” in the Sherlock Holmes film, “The Pearl of Death.” Mr. Hatton would have been great on DS as a either a Leviathan or one of Judah Zachary’s zombie pirates, that trashed the great house of Collinwood! 

I especially enjoyed your discussion on DS with Guy Haines, Bob Issel and Nina Ogle. Their memories of watching DS as kids and their recollections of both attending and volunteering at the Dark Shadows Festivals were terrific. I also enjoyed hearing them relate their personal interactions with several of the DS actors.

I have seen several of the excellent videos that Guy Haines recorded at several of the DS Festivals. And, I believe that Bob Issel used to post here on the Dark Shadows Forums. I agree with Guy, Bob and Nina that it would be great if a possible new DS series also helped to bring back the Dark Shadows Festivals on a regular
basis.

I look forward to watching your next insightful DS discussion on your superb podcast.

Bob

[PennyDreadful]

Hi, Penny,

Congratulations on your induction into the Rondo Hatton Classic Horror Awards Monster Kid Hall of Fame. I remember seeing the late Rondo Hatton as “The Hoxton Creeper,” in the Sherlock Holmes film, “The Pearl of Death.” Mr. Hatton would have been great on DS as a either a Leviathan or one of Judah Zachary’s zombie pirates, that trashed the great house of Collinwood! 

I especially enjoyed your discussion on DS with Guy Haines, Bob Issel and Nina Ogle. Their memories of watching DS as kids and their recollections of both attending and volunteering at the Dark Shadows Festivals were terrific. I also enjoyed hearing them relate their personal interactions with several of the DS actors.

I have seen several of the excellent videos that Guy Haines recorded at several of the DS Festivals. And, I believe that Bob Issel used to post here on the Dark Shadows Forums. I agree with Guy, Bob and Nina that it would be great if a possible new DS series also helped to bring back the Dark Shadows Festivals on a regular
basis.

I look forward to watching your next insightful DS discussion on your superb podcast.

Bob

Thank you so much, Bob! I was encouraging fans to vote for Dan Curtis, who also got voted into the Rondo Monster Kid Hall of Fame, but was certainly not expecting to get voted in too. I was hoping I could make it out to WonderFest for the awards ceremony, but it's less than 4 weeks away, so it's looking iffy. If not, I'll submit a video. I'm still gobsmacked by the whole thing.

Those would have been such perfect DS roles for Rondo Hatton! I could easily see him as a robed Leviathan or as a zombie pirate. A Rondo Hatton and Tor Johnson zombie teamup would've been fun too.

Thanks also for the kind words about the podcast. I loved hearing from Guy, Nina, and Bob and honestly could have just let kept listening to them for a couple more hours, at least! Guy definitely will be back on at some point to talk about his trip to Seaview with Jonathan Frid and other DS-themed adventures.

[Bob_the_Bartender]

Penny,

Yes, Tor Johnson would have been great on DS; he was a former wrestler, who appeared in some of director Ed Wood’s finest (read lousiest) films like “Bride of the Monster” and  “Plan 9 From Outer Space,” widely regarded as the “Citizen Kane of Truly Lousy Films.” I particularly liked Mr. Johnson as “Lobo,” the mute servant, along with the immortal Bela Lugosi in “Bride of the Monster.”

I believe you mentioned the late, great John Zacherle on one of your podcasts. I well remember Mr. Zacherle, who dressed up just like Lon Chaney in the original “Phantom of the Opera, when he hosted, usually, truly dreadful 1950s horror and sci-fi films on WPIX-Channel 11 in NYC back during the early 1960s.

Mr. Zacherle used to literally interject himself into these cinematic stinkers like “Frankenstein’s Daughter.” One time, in sci-fi film about a giant octopus terrorizing a Southern California beach community, there was a scene where a young woman in a rowboat tries unsuccessfully to pull up the boat’s rope and anchor (with the octopus pulling down on the anchor). However, instead of the octopus, we see Zacherle, wearing a 1920s men’s bathing
suit, and pulling DOWN on the rope and anchor. It was very funny!

I think watching John Zacherle, satirizing those old, classic horror and sci-fi films “prepared” me to appreciate
and enjoy all of the off-the-wall things that we all saw on DS several years later. 


I suspect that young kids across America watched horror movie, tv hosts similar to John Zacherle, and these classic horror tv show hosts inspired all those kids to become devoted DS viewers several years later. 

[Uncle Roger]

I would see Zacherley whenever I went to Chiller Theater. He was quite a character. I have pictures of him with Johnny Ramone of The Ramones. And a couple of pictures of him reuniting with fellow WPIX alumni Chuck McCann.

[Bob_the_Bartender]

I would see Zacherley whenever I went to Chiller Theater. He was quite a character. I have pictures of him with Johnny Ramone of The Ramones. And a couple of pictures of him reuniting with fellow WPIX alumni Chuck McCann.

John Zacherley (or Zacherle) was quite a guy, in addition to hosting horror movie shows, he was the emcee at many rock & roll concerts. I remember seeing Mr. Zacherley at a concert, where he introduced the Canadian rock band, Lighthouse. He also graduated from the University of Pennsylvania and served as a US Army officer in North Africa and Europe during World War II. And, like DS’s own Ezra Braithwaite, Mr. Zacherley lived to the
ripe old age of 98.

Chuck McCann was another great NYC tv host on Channel 11. Mr. McCann hosted an afternoon show, featuring the legendary comedy team of Laurel & Hardy. Chuck McCann, being a big man physically, would often dress up like Oliver Hardy and do a great impression of him with another actor portraying Stanley Laurel. When the NYC newspapers went on strike, Mr. McCann would dress up like the little Italian boy, Dondi, detective Dick Tracy and even Little Orphan Annie and read each day’s comic strips to all the kids that were missing their favorite comic strip characters during the newspaper strike.

In addition to John Zacherley, there were many other terrific horror hosts across America. Vampira was another of the early tv horror hosts in Los Angeles during the 1950s. Vampira (actress Maila Nurmi) also appeared in the “legendary” film, “Plan 9 From Outer Space.”

I remember former Saturday Night Live performer Dennis Miller speaking of a tv horror host in the Pittsburgh area he watched as a kid on tv. Dennis Miller said this host wore one of the worst toupees he ever saw. I can’t remember the guy’s name. Maybe our DS cousin, Josette, remembers who that Pittsburgh-based tv horror host was?

Of course, there have been other excellent tv horror hosts since the 1950s/1960s, including Elvira, Mistress of the Dark on Los Angeles tv and the irrepressible Svengoolie, who started out in Chicago and is now seen
nationally on MeTV on Saturday night. I believe Svengoolie aired Grayson Hall’s “Gargoyles” not long ago.

I wonder if David Collins and Amy Jennings watched a similar tv horror host on Saturday nights at Collinwood back during the late 1960s? Although, after their own personal adventures in the great house, watching old horror and sci-fi films on tv must have seemed pretty tame. 

[Uncle Roger]

I do have a signed 8x10 photo of Chuck McCann as Little Orphan Annie in my collection. Maybe the sun won't come up tomorrow. 😉😉😉
After one of my Chiller visits, I was showing my pictures from the event to my coworkers. One of the girls named Cherry looked at some of the photos rather intently. And she asked that was Zacherley in the pictures. After I confirmed it, she looked at me and said, "You know, I used to f**k him."
By the way, Cherry was none other than Cherry Vanilla, who was part of the Andy Warhol crowd in the 1960's. She was on the verge of becoming really famous several times but apparently settled for infamous.

[Mysterious Benefactor]

Didn't Zacherly host the party celebrating DS return to NYC in syndication that WNBC held when they brought DS to the NY area in 1982? Or am I getting my horror hosts confused?

[Uncle Roger]

It was indeed Zacherley.