Happy 50th Anniversary, Night of Dark Shadows

[Mysterious Benefactor]

Revisiting another rare Quentin still associated with Scene 87:

And before we move on beyond Scene 87, here's a still not used for the slideshow. It was shared by the 2012 Fest Program and it's also a second solo still of Quentin for Scene 87:

(Click here for a 693X700 version)

One would presume solo stills of Alex, Claire and Tracy from Scene 87 might also exist - however, if they do exist, it seems as if those solo stills have yet to surface.../quote]

 

[Mysterious Benefactor]

Two posts related to Scene 87 worth revisiting:

Another scene I wish had been retained.  I love the whole "Scooby gang" flavor of the dialogue here.

  Indeed!  But we're all too familiar with DC's belief that when editing a film, the character oriented stuff is the first to go. 

 

[Mysterious Benefactor]

There are two slightly different ways that Scene 88 is setup, depending on whose script one is reading. Grayson's sets things up thusly, beginning at the bottom of page 37:

CUT TO: 88     INT - DINING ROOM - NIGHT - GROUP SHOT           88        Seen from the corridor as the CAMERA TRUCKS TOWARD        THEM.  They have finished dinner and are on their        coffee. 88     CONTD                                  CONTD    88

Whereas in DC's script he has handwritten at the top of page 38:

INT. CORRIDOR NIGHT  - TRUCKING         Camera truck toward dining         room - they have finished dinner 88     CONTD                                  CONTD    88

And in both cases that's when today's quote -

Page 38/Scene 88 - Alex (gesturing to Claire): 'Will you look at that dress? Gregory strikes again! He must think we're the manor folk -- honey, remember, we're broke.'

- comes up in the script.

And so far as anything being different with the dialogue, the descriptions, and the directions, as can be seen in this first capture -

- at first we simply see Claire, and this is where quite a bit of possibly improvised dialogue begins with Claire stating "I'm glad I'm not driving" - and as the camera pans to show Tracy and Alex, the next capture shows that as Tracy takes a sip of her wine -

- Alex makes his way toward Claire while he asks "All right, sweetheart, some wine?" - to which Claire responds "Just a touch", Alex repeats "Just a touch", and Tracy laughs as the camera, as can be seen in this next capture -

- has been moving in to reveal all four of them  - and after Alex asks "Now who would have thought we would have been here two years ago?", Claire replies "I would have" as -

she raises her hand in the air and looks to the heavens and then toward Tracy with a smile - to which Alex replies "You would, huh?" - and then Quentin remarks "Makes life interesting" - and after that what Alex actually says as -

- he takes Claire's dress in hand, as can be seen in today's capture, is "Will you take a look at this thing? Gregory strikes again!" - and as Claire basically ignores him, I love how she simply reaches for her wine glass -

-which is apparently more important to her, as Alex continues with "He must think we're the manor folk -- honey, remember, we are broke" - and after he says that he bends down to kiss the top of Claire's head -

- and then he follows that off screen with "A little more wine for the gentleman", meaning Quentin - to which Quentin mouths "Thank you" and audibly replies "A little wine" - and then when Carlotta enters the room, Alex says "Well, hello, Carlotta - how are you?" - to which at first she barely registers a reaction other than -

- looking none too pleased with him - but then I love how she manages to -

- come up with a slight smile.

End of improvising, but the scene certainly goes on...

And the handwritten opening description in DC's script makes no mention of the group being on their coffee - though, of course, they're actually drinking wine in the film. But apparently DC didn't care what they were drinking, only that they'd finished dinner. 

   And so far as "today's quote" goes, it was December 7th's this time around.

 

[Uncle Roger]

This scene gives us some interesting insights into Claire and Alex. Though they are presented as successful authors of a series of novels and have sold at least one novel for a film adaptation, Alex points out several times that they're broke. Which leads me to believe that they don't handle their money very well.

[Mysterious Benefactor]

   It's funny you bring up the subject of the Jemkins being broke because the next things I wanted to revisit are these posts about that very subject:

...

And when it comes to today's quote:

And speaking of observations, does it strike anyone else as odd that Alex claims that he and Claire "are broke"?

Page 38/Scene 88 - Alex (gesturing to Claire): 'Will you look at that dress?
Gregory strikes again! He must think we're the manor folk --
honey, remember, we're broke.'

I still wish there was an actual explanation in the film because:

Apparently they've written at least a few successful novels, one of which we learn at the end of the film is being made into a "major motion picture."

Plus, the blurb at the end of the film describes them as a "popular husband and wife novelist team."

Either they must have a terrible agent who negotiates terrible contracts for them or they must spend money like water. Or both. Who knows?    But if they are broke, no wonder they need to live rent free. 

However, it's also quite apparent that supposedly being broke doesn't stop them from driving from Maine to New York in the middle of the night on a whim that they might learn something about Charles Collins. 

Though what's perhaps more important about today's quote is that it's a MUST quote! 

...

Though one thing that didn't occur to me when I made that post is that the blurb about the Jenkins' accident is not in the script and was added to the film in post production. Given that, apparently whoever wrote it, if it wasn't Sam Hall (though if it was Sam Hall, well...  ), had no idea that Scene 88 establishes that the Jenkins are broke. Or they didn't associate being broke with the likelihood of the financial windfall having a major motion picture made from one of your novels would bring. But still, who knows? 

...

Perhaps Claire and Alex had the same literary agent who represented Lara Parker. That could explain everything.

   I suspect you may have been on to something there!! 

 

[Mysterious Benefactor]

Revisiting the start of the problems with the closed captioning and subtitles for the beginning of  Scene 88:

When it comes to Scene 88, not only is there quite a bit of possibly improvised dialogue to begin the scene, but the closed captioning and, to a lesser degree, the subtitles have all sorts of issues.

First up:

Interestingly, when it comes to the first improvised line from Scene 88, it appears on screen in both the subtitles and the closed captioning at the end of Scene 80 (and we'll recall that Scenes 74 through Scene 80 appear in the film after Scene 86 rather than before it) -

 - even though it doesn't come up in the film until Claire appears on screen -

- (and for some reason there's more glare than usual off of the TV screen for the closed captions) - and even though the next improvised lines are Alex asking "All right, sweetheart, some wine?" followed by Claire replying "Just a touch", the subtitles drop Alex saying "All right" -

- and the closed captioning oddly has -

- and doesn't even acknowledge Claire's reply.

Much more to come...

...

(ADMIN: Edited to replace TV video screen captures)

 

[Mysterious Benefactor]

Continuing to revisit the issues with the closed captioning and the subtitles for Scene 88.

...

Next up:

After Claire has replied "Just a touch," Alex repeats "Just a touch and then adds "Now who'd a thought we'd have been here two years ago?", though the subtitles have -

- but the closed captioning only has -

 - and to that Claire replies "I would have." to which Alex says, "You would, huh?", and the subtitles reflect that -

 - but the closed captioning only has -

- with Alex' line dropped - and while Quentin then remarks "Makes life interesting," and the subtitles reflect that -

- for some reason the closed captioning has -

- adding a word that's not there instead of dropping entire lines - and that last subtitle gets a jump on the next line in the scene but we won't deal with that until next time...

...

(ADMIN: Edited to replace TV video screen captures)

 

[Uncle Roger]

I guess that "broke" is a relative concept. I worked with somebody who would moan and groan about whether she'd have enough money at the end of the week to buy groceries. On the same day, she would talk about buying a trailer so she and her husband could drive around the country. She also wanted to get a 1 800 phone number installed so her relatives wouldn't have to pay for toll calls.

[Mysterious Benefactor]

   I know the type: "Oh, it's getting harder and harder to afford my yearly, month-long vacation to Cancun." Please!!    But Alex and Claire never struck me as that type. Though who knows? It's not like the film tells us everything about them...

 

[Mysterious Benefactor]

Revisiting more of the issues with the closed captioning and the subtitles for Scene 88.

I've finally gotten the chance to continue with the issues with the closed captioning and the subtitles for Scene 88.

Next up:

As I'd alluded to last time, the next thing Alex says is "Will you take a look at this thing?", which is reworked slightly from what is scripted, however, as can be seen in the previous post, the subtitles drop the "Will you," and the closed captioning not only also drop that, it only has -

- with even "thing" being dropped - and after that Alex then says "Gregory strikes again! He must think we're the manor folk," and the subtitles reflect that but the closed captioning completely ignores it - after which Alex says, "Honey, remember, we are broke," and surprisingly enough both the subtitles and the close captioning acknowledge that - and then Alex possibly improvises, "A little more wine for the gentleman," as he makes his way to Quentin and both the subtitles -

- and the closed captioning -

- also acknowledge that - however, as his first reply to that, Quentin mouths, "Thank you" -

- but neither the subtitles nor the closed captioning acknowledges that.

And there's even more to come...

...

(ADMIN: Edited to replace TV video screen captures)

 

[Mysterious Benefactor]

Continuing to revisit the issues with the closed captioning and the subtitles for Scene 88.

...

Next up:

After Quentin mouths his thank you, he possibly improvises aloud "A little wine," and both the subtitles -

- and the closed captioning -

- acknowledge it - and after that point as Carlotta enters the room Alex greets her with "Well, hello, Carlotta - how are you?", which both the subtitles -

- and the closed captioning -

- also acknowledge. (And if looks could kill, that look Carlotta gives Alex when he asks how she is would have certainly killed him! )

Things briefly go back to what's scripted after all this, but a shift in dialogue and more possible improvisation are coming...

...

(ADMIN: Edited to replace TV video screen captures)

 

[Mysterious Benefactor]

Revisiting posts about Carlotta and her expression when Alex greets her in Scene 88:

Ooh, Alex got the Carlotta death glare!  But only for a brief moment.  So he failed to turn to stone.

I suddenly want a TV show called "Cooking with Carlotta."  "Resist adding more old bay seasoning at this point... IF you can."

I suddenly want a TV show called "Cooking with Carlotta."  "Resist adding more old bay seasoning at this point... IF you can."

   Love it!!

 

[Mysterious Benefactor]

Revisiting more of how Scene 88 is scripted:

Continuing with Scene 88:

Quentin looks TOWARD CAMERA as if it were Carlotta,        who just entered the room.

And that's when today's quote -

Page 38/Scene 88 - Quentin: 'What's that?'

- comes up, followed by the script continuing with:

CARLOTTA        Having just ENTERED the room, she holds a gift-        wrapped package.                              TRACY O.S.                  It's our surprise.        WIDEN as Carlotta crosses to Quentin and gives him        the package.                              QUENTIN                  What is it?        He starts to rip the paper.

And as far as anything different in the dialogue goes, both of Quentin's lines are delivered exactly as written, but Tracy actually says "That's your surprise", which would seem to make more sense.

And as far as anything different with the descriptions and directions go, we don't actually see Quentin look toward camera as if it were Carlotta who entered the room because, as was already obvious with the last two captures in reply #188, we see Carlotta enter the room, and the camera shot remains at that angle - and before Quentin notices the package, he actually reaches for something on the table and begins to chew it before he asks what it is that Carlotta has - and after Tracy answers off screen that it's a surprise, without the indicated widening of the frame, Carlotta then moves from where she's been standing on screen all along and hands the package to Quentin as Alex sits and pours himself some wine - and Quentin doesn't so much as rip the paper as he lifts the top off the box.

And when it comes to DC's script, he has a notation between Quentin asking "What's that?" and Carlotta's scripted entrance -

QUENTIN            What's that? INT. DINING ROOM - NIGHT  CARLOTTA

- but as can be seen, he doesn't consider it a new scene - and in the film things are no longer shot through the dining room doorway but in the actual dining room beginning with Alex saying "A little more wine for the gentleman", as could be seen in reply #188's captures of Carlotta's entrance into the room.

And when it comes to Grayson's script, she has a notation for the point in the script where Carlotta enters (which just so happens to be in the same place that DC has his notation), but for the life of me I can't really decipher all of her handwriting. See if you can:

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

And Reply #188 from "And Now The Return of Another New Slideshow (Sort of) [**Now featuring alternate versions of scenes - see replies ..." was most recently revisited as Reply #2402 in this topic.

 

[Mysterious Benefactor]

And revisiting some posts related to Uncle Roger's excellent deciphering skills:

Let's see. I read it as Specific change around others. Taut tense unbending.

How does that sound to you, MB?

Actually, that sounds perfect and makes me wonder why I didn't see it myself?    It was mostly the "specific" that was giving me trouble.

Thanks! 

My years of having to decipher extremely creative penmanship from my OTB career sometimes pays off in unexpected ways. 

My years of having to decipher extremely creative penmanship from my OTB career sometimes pays off in unexpected ways. 

I see. Good to know! And if I have any other deciphering problems, you'll be the first I'll ask!!   

Just another part of my reasonably checkered past that has come in handy. 

 

[Mysterious Benefactor]

Revisiting even more of how Scene 88 is scripted:

And continuing with more of Scene 88, starting off with today's quote -

Page 38/Scene 88 - Tracy: 'Something you can't be without?'

- coming up in response to Quentin asking what his surprise is, followed by the script continuing with:

He draws out a riding habit.                            QUENTIN                You've got to be kidding.        Alex ROARS with laughter.                            TRACY                Gregory said I can return it.        Quentin starts to laugh and gets up crossing to        Tracy.

And when it comes to what is different in the dialogue, what Tracy actually says is "Well, it's something that you can't be without", and until it comes to the second syllable of the word "something", it's delivered off screen - and in the film it isn't Quentin who says "You've got to be kidding" but Alex, who actually says "You gotta be kidding" after he bursts out laughing - and in a bit more of unscripted dialogue, Claire replies with "Why, I think he'll look marvelous in them" (and I love the look she gives -

- Alex after she says it, as well as her dismissive hand gesture) - and then Tracy actually says "Gregory said I could take them back if..." before she gets cut off by Quentin, but more on that tomorrow...

And when it comes to what is different with the descriptions and directions, Quentin doesn't take out a full riding habit but simply a pair of riding breeches, and he stands after he does so - and he has a big smile on his face as he moves toward Tracy -

- as she says she can take them back, which means that he doesn't laugh nor get up after she's said it - and in the middle of Tracy saying she can take them back there's a notation in DC's script indicating that there was supposed to be a 2 shot of Alex and Claire, but obviously it's not in the film if it was shot.

And poor Gregory: he gets mentioned twice in this scene, yet as the film stands, no one in the audience has the vaguest idea who he is because his scene was never shot...

   And as far as "today's quote" goes, it was December 9th's this time around.