Happy 50th Anniversary, Night of Dark Shadows

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Continuing to revisit the subtitles/closed captioning for Strack's dream voiceover:

...

Next the voiceover says -

- which the subtitles get correctly - but the closed captioning has -

- with "return" rather than "be returned" - and that is followed perfectly in both the subtitles and the closed captioning by -

- and who knows why "Amen" is pronounced with a soft A sound here, yet a hard A sound in the actual hanging scene? But there's probably some thinking behind it...

More to come...

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[Mysterious Benefactor]

Revisiting the conclusion of the subtitles/closed captioning for Strack's dream voiceover:

...

Picking up where we left off, the closed captioning have the next bit correct -

- but for some strange reason the subtitles add -

- the word "the" - and when it comes to the last bit, once again the closed captioning gets it correct -

- but the subtitles are way off -

]

 

End of voiceover.

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[Mysterious Benefactor]

...

- but the subtitles are way off -

]

 

...

Actually, that's only partly true because it's the subtitles for the Amazon version of the film that are way off there. Considering how the Blu-ray/DVD and VHS versions of the film use the same file respectively for the subtitles and closed captioning but they can display differently depending on what TV/video player one is using, meaning different screen placements and durations on screen, just for the fun of it the other day I decided to compare the Blu-ray's subtitles with Amazon's subtitles. I'd assumed they both used the same subtitles file so I wasn't expecting to see any differences. Well, my comparison proved once again that one should never assume. I only compared up to the point we currently are in this topic, and the vast majority of differences were simply that some lines of dialogue appeared on one line in one version while in the other they appeared on two - no biggie and nothing worth getting into in detail. But when I reached the end of Strack's dream voiceover I was quite surprised to see that only the Amazon subtitles were way off with the last line, while the Blu-ray subtitles were correct:

]

All this time I've been using the Amazon version for the subtitles because, as I said, I'd assumed they were the same as the Blu-ray, plus I have a downloaded copy of that version of the film on my PC, whereas I didn't have a copy of the Blu-ray version with subtitles until the other day when I decided to do the comparison. Now I'm really curious to see what other similar differences there might be, and I'll be checking for that as the slideshow progresses through this fourth run...

 

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Revisiting comments about how things may have been had Jerry Lacy played Trask in the film:

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It would have been interesting to see how Jerry Lacy would have chewed that, er, played that scene.

Indeed!

Though a part of me can't picture anyone other than Thayer David as the "good Reverend" (as Gabriel refers to him)...

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If Jerry Lacy had been playing the part, maybe Christopher Pennock would have delivered the "good reverend" line with a soupcon of sarcasm.

 

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Revisiting how Scene 46 is scripted:

Everything else about the dream sequences comes up in future sections of the script and will be dealt with then. So, we move on to ... Scene 46 ...:

...

CUT TO: 46     INT - MASTER BEDROOM - DAY                        46        It is the following morning.  Quentin is still        asleep.  Tracy has just finished dressing and        now stands looking down at him.  She smiles,        leans over, kisses him lightly.                              TRACY                  Quentin ...        He barely stirs.                  Come on.  It's your first day                  here.  Are you going to sleep                  it away?        Still no response.  She shakes him, still smiling.        Finally, he turns on his back, opens his eyes.        He stares at her, unsmiling, almost as if he didn't        remember her.                              TRACY                  Good morning!        At last Quentin smiles, reaches over and touches        her.

And that's when today's quote -

Page 15/Scene 46 - Quentin: 'Hi...wake me in two hours. I'm beat.'

- comes up.

And there are still no differences between the way DC's and Grayson Hall's scripts are written up to this point - but there is a notations in DC's script that we'll get into below...

And when it comes to any differences in the dialogue, we have no way of knowing at this point because the scene is not in the film as it currently stands.

And so far as any differences in the directions and descriptions go, again, we have no way of knowing at this point. However, there is a notation in DC's script that the scene would open on Tracy's face and then pan down with her.

...

  And so far as "today's quote" goes, it was September 8th this time around.

 

[Mysterious Benefactor]

Another post worth revisiting:

When I'd put together the recent Scene 46 graphics -

- I used a slight crop of this -

(Click here for a 700X532 version)

- rare still...

...

And you no doubt recall that still is #4 in the NoDS Editor's Portfolio.

 

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Continuing to revisit how Scene 46 is scripted:

Picking up where we left off with Scene 46:

He yawns, starts to turn over again.  She stops        him with a kiss.

And that's when yesterday's quote -

Page 15/Scene 46 - Tracy: 'Serves you right for wandering around last night without me.'

- comes up, followed by the script continuing with:

46     CONTD                                     CONTD   46                              QUENTIN                  For doing what?                              TRACY                  I woke up and you weren't here.                              QUENTIN                  You imagined it.

And that's when today's quote -

Page 16/Scene 46 - Tracy: 'We haven't been married that long. I know when you're not in my bed.'

- comes up.

And there are still no differences between the way DC's and Grayson Hall's scripts are written up to this point.

...

  And as far as "yesterday's" quote goes, it was September 9th this time around, and "today's" quote was September 10th.

Wrapping up Scene 46, beginning with yesterday's quote, Quentin's reply to Tracy:

Page 16/Scene 46 - Quentin: 'Well, I was and all night, dreaming very strange dreams.'

- which is followed by the script continuing with:

He struggles into a half-sitting position.

And that's when today's quote -

Page 16/Scene 46 - Tracy: 'I won't fight with you. Ever. Now get up.'

- comes up, followed in the script by:

She EXITS as the CAMERA TRUCKS IN TO HIS CLOSE-UP.        His eyes are very far away as he tries to remember        the "Dream".

End of scene.

And there are still no differences between the way DC's and Grayson Hall's scripts are written up to this point.

...

  And as far as "yesterday's" quote goes, it was September 11th this time around, and "today's" quote was September 12th.

 

[Mysterious Benefactor]

Revisiting an original NoDS graphic from 2009:

...

And as a side note, the following line -

NoDS: Scene #46 - Tracy: 'It's your first day here. Are you
going to sleep it away?'

- was included in the NoDS section of the Movies Quotes Slideshow because it's the entry for July 20th on the Fest's 1999 Movie Calendar of quotes.

 

[Mysterious Benefactor]

Revisiting a rare still regarding Scene 46:

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Here's a rare candid associated with Scene 46 -

(Click here for a 700X874 version)

- and the thing I find most interesting about it is the prominent braid in Tracy's hair, and if you look closely, you can even see the braid in the still I shared in Reply #795. And the reason why I find that most interesting is, given it takes place on the same morning, it means that in the sequence that takes place over upcoming Scenes 47-50 Tracy must also have the braid, though in no other portion of the film does it appear. A whim on hairdresser Edith Tilles' part? Who knows...

...

Another interesting thing is that as far as I can recall, one of the very few times I've ever seen the still published was when it accompanied a question published in one of the daytime magazines (I don't remember which) during The Rookies years when someone asked if Gerald S. O'Loughlin (though they misspelled his name as O'Laughlin) and Kate were once on daytime television. And I seem to recall only one other time when it accompanied an article about Kate during those same years. But I'm too lazy right now to try to track down either...

...

I did actually track down the article this time around and I was a bit off as far as the year goes because it was published in 1977 near the end of the first season of Charlie's Angels. The article was part of a spread featuring articles about all three CA actresses.

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Another interesting thing about the prominent braid in Tracy's hair is that I saw Scene 46 at the 2004 Tarrytown Fest (and even if I hadn't been there, I would know that at least Scene 46 had been recovered because, as some may recall, a member of the forum took a photo of that scene with their phone and posted it as part of their forum signature, but Darren made them remove it because it violated WB's copyright), but I can't honestly say I have any memory of there being a braid in Tracy's hair. But then, given the excitement that I was seeing recovered footage, I seriously doubt Tracy's hair was what I'd paid attention to...

And you'll probably recall that still is #45 in the NoDS Editor's Portfolio.

 

[Mysterious Benefactor]

The funny thing is that even if Darren Gross hadn't posted on his Restoration Web site that Scene 46 was recovered -

A selection of scenes cut from the 129-minute version that have been recovered:

...

Tracy wakes Quentin after their first night at Collinwood. She tells him that she woke up in the middle of the night to find Quentin gone. Quentin has no memory of leaving the room and he pulls Tracy to him for a passionate kiss.

- I would know it had been because, as I said, I saw it at the 2004 Tarrytown Fest...

 

[Mysterious Benefactor]

Another still definitely worth revisiting:

One last thing about Scene 46:

Apparently I have a photo of another still associated with the scene and I didn't even realize it until today. Though to clarify, I did know I have it, but I didn't realize the still is different from the one I posted in Reply #796. I came across the photo of the still on a site on the Internet (that I've been unable to find again - perhaps the posting no longer exists?) and I saved a copy thinking it was the same still as I posted in Reply #796 but it simply showed more of the background. It wasn't until today when I came across it on my computer while looking for a still I want to post in association of Scene 50 that I realized that it's different. And here it is:

(Click here for a 700X560 version)

Possibly needless to say, to my knowledge it has never been officially published anywhere...

...

If, as I've theorized, the order in which the stills are numbered in the NoDS Editor's Portfolio corresponds to the order in which their scenes were shot, then chances are Scene 46 was one of if not the first scene that was shot with Kate Jackson, and that could explain why Tracy sports the braid in her hair in that scene (and probably the sequence of Scenes 47 through 50) and not in any other. They may not have been sure at that early stage how they wanted Tracy's hair to look and decided to lose the braid after they saw it on film. Interesting how the braid seemed to be just fine for Kate's look on the daytime show - though of course, she had a period look on the show, whereas NoDS is a contemporary story..

 

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Revisiting how Scenes 47 through 49 are scripted:

A batch of scenes...

47     INT - GALLERY - DAY - LOW WIDE ANGLE              47        Tracy stands near the window sipping a cup of        coffee as she leafs through an old book.  CAMERA        starts a SLOW TRUCK IN ON HER.  As we get closer,        we see that she senses something.  She turns and        looks out the window. 48     EXT - GROUNDS - DAY - HER P.O.V.                  48        Standing amongst the trees, staring up at her,        is Gerard.  With him are two vicious-looking black        dogs, both straining at their leashes.  ZOOM IN TO        HIS CLOSE-UP. 49     TRACY - CLOSE-UP                                  49        as she reacts and turns away from his gaze.  It        is obvious that he has upset her.

End of scene.

And there are still no differences between the way DC's and Grayson Hall's scripts are written up to this point.

And as for what might be different when it comes to the directions and descriptions, again, we have no way of knowing at this point because those scenes do not appear in the film as it currently stands.

 

[Mysterious Benefactor]

Setting up the current scene:

50     CARLOTTA - MEDIUM ANGLE                           50        as she ENTERS the room carrying a tray with fresh        coffee she sees Tracy by the window. 50     CONTD                                     CONTD   50

And that's when today's quote -

Page 17/Scene 50 - Carlotta: 'Is anything wrong, Mrs. Collins?'

- comes up.

And there are still no differences between the way DC's and Grayson Hall's scripts are written up to this point, however, Grayson's script has extensive notes for this scene, and we'll get into all of them as the scene unfolds. But for now, the first notation is that Carlotta is happy because things are going so well.

And as for anything that might be different with the dialogue, we have no way of knowing at this point because the scene is not in the film as it currently stands.

And as for what might be different when it comes to the directions and descriptions, again, we have no way of knowing at this point because this scene does not appear in the film as it currently stands.

And as far as "today's quote" goes, it was September 13th this time around.

Picking up where we left off, beginning with:

TRACY - CARLOTTA

And that's when yesterday's quote -

Page 17/Scene 50 - Tracy: 'There's someone down there just staring up at me. Who is it, Carlotta?'

- comes up, followed by the script continuing with:

Carlotta puts down the tray and comes to Tracy.        TRUCK with her so that the two of them are framed        in the window.  In the B.G. we can see that        Gerard is no longer there, but Tracy does not        know this since her back is to the window.

And that's when today's first quote -

Page 17/Scene 50 - Carlotta: 'There's no one there.'

- comes up, followed by the script continuing with:

Tracy turns to look out.

And that's when today's second quote -

Page 17/Scene 50 - Tracy: 'There was a man. With two black dogs.'

- comes up.

And there are still no differences between the way DC's and Grayson Hall's scripts are written up to this point. Though, as previously mentioned, Grayson's script has extensive notes for this scene. However, it's best to wait until tomorrow's quote to get into a batch of them...

...

  And as far as "yesterday's quote" goes, it was September 14th this time around, and "today's" quotes were September 15th.

 

[Mysterious Benefactor]

Revisiting the still that inspired the graphic for Scene 50:

When I'd put together the recent Scene 50 graphics -

- I used a slight crop of this -

(Above) Gerard watches Tracy with his two doberman pinschers from under the gallery window in a newly recovered scene from NIGHT OF DARK SHADOWS. The dogs are played 'Flash Weiner' and 'Boy Powers.' (Photo courtesy Captain Art Haggerty who was the animal handler and can be seen as the bald henchman in the film.)

- rare still that was shared on Darren Gross' Restoration Web site in the Photo Gallery section...

...

 

[Mysterious Benefactor]

Wrapping up revisiting how Scene 50 is scripted:

Picking up with today's quote, Carlotta's explanation:

Page 17/Scene 50 - Carlotta: 'Oh, Gerard. Gerard Stiles. My nephew. He's the caretaker-handyman. He keeps the horses, too. I don't know what I'd do without him.'

And while there are still no differences between the way DC's and Grayson Hall's scripts are written up to this point, Grayson's script has extensive notes for this portion of the scene. She writes that Carlotta should intimidate Tracy even though she's also wondering what Gerard has done and whether or not he will screw things up - Carlotta must also stop Tracy's curiosity and be short with Tracy - plus she should lead Tracy from the window, sit her down, and serve her her coffee.

And as for anything that might be different with the dialogue, we have no way of knowing at this point because the scene isn't in the film as it currently stands.

And as for what might be different when it comes to the directions and descriptions, again, we have no way of knowing at this point because this scene doesn't appear in the film as it currently stands. But if Grayson's notes are an indication, if Carlotta actually sits Tracy down and serves her coffee, that would be different from what's in the script.

Also, I believe Carlotta's lines here are the only place in the script that we learn that Gerard is her nephew so, as the film stands now, that relationship is unknown. (Though many DS fans were probably aware of it before even seeing the film because it was mentioned in some of the publicity leading up to the release and possibly even after, as we'll see once some of that stuff gets posted...)

  And so far as "today's quote" goes, it was September 16th this time around.

Wrapping up the current scene:

They look at each other for a moment.                              TRACY                  Oh - I see -- Well, it was just                  that those dogs ...

And that's when today's quote -

Page 17/Scene 50 - Carlotta: 'Those dogs are very important to the security of the estate, madam ... now, is there anything I can get you?'

- comes up, followed by the script continuing with:

TRACY                       (embarrassed)                  Oh - no.  Nothing.  Everything                  ...Everything's just fine.

End of scene.

And there are still no differences between the way DC's and Grayson Hall's scripts are written up to this point, however, there are notations in both DC's and Grayson's script for this portion of the scene. First, in Grayson's script she writes that Carlotta has the subtext that she manages the estate so why does Tracy ask when she should leave it to Carlotta and Carlotta will take care of it. And with DC's script, he notes that when it comes to Tracy's last bits of dialogue, the camera is to pan to her as she looks away.

...

And with tomorrow's quote things will be getting back, albeit briefly, to material that is actually in the film...

  And as far as "today's quote," it was September 17th, which, of course, means that the reference to "tomorrow's quote" is to today's.