Happy 50th Anniversary, Night of Dark Shadows

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Revisiting a post that speaks for itself:

With regard to Scenes 112 - 114, Darren Gross posted on his Restoration Web site:

The following is a list of scenes that are still lost and which are not present in the 129 min version recovered in 1999.

...

INT.FOYER. Alex talks to Tracy, exits. EXT.COLLINWOOD. Tracy tells Alex she’ll look in tower. RACK FOCUS- CARLOTTA watches from stairwell window.

And something that it seems I've continually neglected to mention most of the time is that when it comes to Scene 114 in Grayson's script she made the notation: I don't like them. How much do they know? What are they conspiring?

Well, when it comes to that first entry, it hardly comes as a surprised that Carlotta feels that way toward Alex and Tracy. Though I can just imagine what the expression on her face would have been like had we gotten to see it. But alas...

...

 

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Revisiting how the beginning of Scene 115 is scripted:

Moving on to today's new scene:

CUT TO: 115    INT - GALLERY - DAY                              115        Quentin is in the room when she ENTERS.

And that's when today's quote -

Page 54/Scene 115 - Quentin: 'You didn't tell Alex about...my attacking you last night.'

- comes up.

And when it comes to differences in the dialogue, the changes are written into DC's script because he has notations that when Tracy enters the room she says "Hello" to Quentin - and today's quote is completely crossed out in the script and replaced with Quentin replying "Hi. I want to thank you for not telling Alex everything."

And when it comes to differences in the directions and descriptions, even though DC has a notation that Tracy doesn't cross to Quentin until after he thanks her, what actually happens in that Tracy silently enters the room, smiles, crosses to where Quentin is sitting, kneels beside him, and then says hello - and as can be seen in today's capture -

- Quentin takes Tracy's hand in his when he thanks her.

   And when it comes to "today's quote," it is indeed today's, February 9th's, this time around.

 

[Mysterious Benefactor]

Revisiting the subtitles/closed captioning for the beginning of Scene 115:

... (with new screen captures) ...

When it comes to Scene 115, Tracy and Quentin exchange unscripted greetings after Tracy enters the Gallery and both the subtitles -

- and the closed captioning -

- reflect that - and something that's interesting is that DC's script has notations about those additions and more - first it has that when Tracy enters the room she says "Hello" to Quentin, and second Quentin's first scripted line, "You didn't tell Alex about...my attacking you last night," is completely crossed out and replaced with Quentin replying "Hi. I want to thank you for not telling Alex everything."

And both the subtitles and the closed captioning reflect that new line -

...

(ADMIN: Edited to replace TV video screen captures)

 

[Mysterious Benefactor]

Revisiting more of how the beginning of Scene 115 is scripted:

Continuing Scene 115 with today's quote, Tracy's response to Quentin remark -

Page 54/Scene 115 - Tracy: 'No...I couldn't...I just couldn't. You weren't yourself.'

- coming up.

And when it comes to differences in the dialogue, what Tracy actually says is "Well, I couldn't do that. You weren't yourself", and all but the addition of the "Well" is indicated in DC's script. So now, not only is Quentin keeping secrets, but so is Tracy - but more on that below...

And when it comes to differences in the directions and descriptions, DC's script has a notation that Tracy and Quentin kiss before she delivers today's line, but that doesn't actually happen in the film, quite possibly because they decided that a kiss there would only be compounding the lie more. However, as can be seen in the following capture -

- Tracy does kiss Quentin on the hand after she says he wasn't himself.

And the change in Quentin's line to saying he's thankful that Tracy didn' tell Alex everything got me to speculating as to whether or not Tracy did tell Alex everything. When I first saw NoDS I presumed she'd told him everything - but at that point I knew nothing about Scene 111 and Alex' fears that Tracy could be in danger. But if Tracy had told him about Quentin attacking her, wouldn't Alex' fears about her being in danger have played more forcefully in Scene 111 than they do, in either version of that scene? Now I suspect that perhaps Tracy did hold back at least on that account and Alex' fears for her were solely based on what he'd learned from his research.

When it comes to Quentin and Tracy, neither of them seem to be telling the entire truth to anyone, and that's the start of sending them down a road that will not end well...

   And as far as "today's quote" goes, it is indeed today's, February 10th's, this time around.

 

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(Click here for a 1000X1568 version)

More to come...

 

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Oops I forgot to revisit this regarding Scene 113:

...this still - which has been published on page 181 of DS Return To Collinwood

But that's not the only place it's been shared because it appeared as August's photo in the Fest's 1999 Movie Calendar -

(Click here for a 916X620 version)

- a version that shows more than the DSRTC version...

 

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(Click here for a 398X1241 version)

More to come...

 

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Revisiting a still related to Scene 115:

Here's the first of three stills I'm sharing that are associated with Scene 115:

(Click here for a 700X476 version)

This one was first shared on the back cover of the NoDS VHS' box, though this actual still shows much more...

 

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Some posts that are definitely worth revisiting:

It seems a bit odd to me that Tracy chooses to confide in Alex instead of Claire. I get the impression that she and Quentin haven't been married all that long and that Alex and Claire were Quentin's friends first. Not to be sexist but it would balance the movie a bit better if there was a corresponding scene with Quentin and Claire. As it is, Claire is the least defined of the four "good" characters and the film would not suffer if the character had been omitted. (Tough for me to write since I adore Nancy Barrett.)
Also, given Quentin's volatile nature during this part of the movie, it is sonewhat surprising that he doesn't become as aggressively jealous towards Alex as he had been with Gerard

I agree with you that having Claire more involved would have been much nicer. Just like you, I love Nancy's work. Though the sad thing is that when the script gave Claire material in which Tracy confides in her about Quentin (Scenes 81 & 82), DC decided that he wasn't even going to shoot them, much less include them in the film. Plus DC also left the scene of Quentin, Alex, Tracy and Claire discussing Angelique in the gallery (Scene 87) on the cutting room floor. So, sad to say, I have a strong impression that even if the script had had Claire more involved, DC wouldn't have used it, either by not shooting it or leaving it on the cutting room floor.

And as for Alex, it's established in the never shot Scene 82 that Alex and Quentin have always been really close, something Charles and Gabriel apparently never were, so that may be why Quentin never sees Alex as a rival. And as far as Alex vs. Gerard goes, all but one oblique reference to Gerard having been Angelique's ghost's lover before Quentin shows up never made it into the film. It would have been much clearer why Quentin singles out Gerard as Gabriel's counterpart if they had - not to mention it would have also been much clearer as to why Gerard goes after Tracy (as revenge for Quentin replacing him in Angelique's, uh, affections) -  but no! Character stuff is not where DC's priorities lied.

Character stuff is not where DC's priorities lied.

That speaks volumes.

As ill defined as Claire is in the final film, I still find her and Alex to be more interesting and engaging characters than Quentin and Tracy, which harms the film for me.
If Quentin had erupted in jealousy over Alex (When did you suddenly become such good friends with my wife), it would have established Quentin's problems earlier and perhaps led Tracy to be more proactive. As it is, she is somewhat unfocused as a "final girl".

Though the way the script and even the film plays, Quentin is unaware that Alex and Tracy are acting behind his back so he would have no reason to confront/question Alex. He thinks Tracy didn't tell Alex everything and that most of Alex' info came from his research. Apparently all Quentin knows is that while she was out riding Tracy witnessed Alex' near miss with the falling greenhouse roof and she told him about Quentin attacking Gerard.

And as for Quentin and Tracy themselves, I do enjoy them, but a large part of that could be that I find both actors engaging. But I can see why others may not engage with them to the same degree that I do because, as the DS Companion laments, there could be more scenes in the film of them being seen as a happy couple. But sadly, nearly all of those scenes were sacrificed because of the enforced cuts. But surprisingly enough, DC had originally left only one of them on the cutting room floor (Scene 46). If one day we ever do get to see a restored NoDS, it will be great to see all the happy couple stuff that was sacrificed...

 

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Revisiting more of how the beginning of Scene 115 is scripted:

Continuing Scene 115 with the script continuing with:

He looks at her.                       QUENTIN           I'm glad you didn't.  Thanks. Carlotta ENTERS with the ice tray.

And that's when today's quote -

Page 54/Scene 115 - Quentin: 'Carlotta. Good. I've decided not to use the tower as a studio anymore.'

- comes up.

And when it comes to differences in the dialogue, as is obvious, Quentin's lines about being glad and thanking Tracy, as well as saying "Good" after Carlotta enters were all dropped - and DC has a notation in his script that Quentin's line addressing Carlotta would begin with an "Oh..." before he says her name, but Quentin doesn't say that either.

And when it comes to differences in the directions and descriptions, Carlotta doesn't enter with an ice tray because what she actually does after she comes in is open the ice bucket, take out some ice cubes, and put them in a glass before Quentin addresses her. Getting a cocktail for herself after having witnessed Alex interfering? 

And speaking of Carlotta's attitude after she sees Tracy and Alex together and when she enters the Gallery, Grayson's script has a notation that Carlotta doesn't like how much they know and she wonders what they're conspiring?  But so far as the film goes the audience was never likely to pick up on that subtext because Scene 114 isn't even in any version of the film. And also, given that Scene 111 isn't in the film as it currently stands, the audience comes away thinking that Quentin made the decision to abandon working in the Tower Room all on his own.

   And so far as "today's quote" goes, it is indeed today's, February 11th's, this time around.

 

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(Click here for a 1240X2500 version)

More to come...

 

[Mysterious Benefactor]

Revisiting more of how Scene 115 is scripted:

Scene 115 continues in the script, beginning with Tracy's reaction to Quentin's decision not to use the tower:

TRACY      (delighted) Quentin!

And that's when today's quote -

Page 54/Scene 115 - Carlotta: 'You said you were painting so well there.'

- comes up.

And when it comes to differences in the dialogue, in the film Tracy doesn't actually say Quentin's name with delight because, as can be seen in the following capture -

- she simply makes a happy sound and turns to him with delight - and what Carlotta actually says is "But you said you were working so well there" - and what really interesting is that Grayson has a note that Carlotta is aiming that at Tracy more so than Quentin.

And when it comes to differences in the directions and descriptions, there aren't any in this section of the scene.

However, in Grayson's script she has notations that Carlotta wonders why Quentin has made the decision not to work in the Tower Room, she feels as if the world may break apart, she shows a trace of that reaction but then covers it up, and in that moment she decides to get rid of Tracy.

   And when it comes to "today's quote," it is indeed today's, January 12th's, this time around.

 

[Mysterious Benefactor]

Revisiting another still related to Scene 115:

Here's the second of three stills I'm sharing that are associated with Scene 115:

(Click here for a 700X476 version)

This one was first shared on page 182 of the DS Movie Book - and interestingly, while it and that version are the same on the left side, that version shows more at the top and this version shows more on the bottom and the right...

 

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Revisiting some posts dealing with this point in the slideshow:

Grayson looks divine in her green lacy dress in today's montage!

Patti

Grayson made notes in her script where she explains that when Carlotta touches the locket like that, it means something to do with Angelique's spirit--it might even be called an act of communion between Carlotta and the spirit.  The notes implied that this was the original base of Angelique's enhanced awareness of, and activity in the physical world.  This is what it means towards the end when John Karlen's character has a line implying that Carlotta was "keeping Angelique's spirit alive."  It's too bad that that line makes no sense at all in the film as chopped up for the final edit, unless you have really extraordinary powers of connecting seemingly random dots.

Great screen capture of this moment!

Grayson made notes in her script where she explains that when Carlotta touches the locket like that, it means something to do with Angelique's spirit--it might even be called an act of communion between Carlotta and the spirit.

Yes, a lot of those notes are fascinating - though in the scenes so far I don't recall getting into much of it (there was a brief reference to the locket back in Scene 33 when Carlotta explains Angelique's portrait:

and Grayson's script has a notation about the locket Carlotta is wearing, and as can be seen in the following capture (which is cropped and enlarged from the actual moment on screen) -

- Carlotta is indeed toying with it (though no one has yet to know the significance of that act)

). But if I recall correctly, some of those notes are actually on the cover page of Grayson's script rather than associated with specific scenes.

Great screen capture of this moment!

Grayson looks divine in her green lacy dress in today's montage!

Thanks.    I try to get the best moment for each quote.

 

[Mysterious Benefactor]

(Note that this time it's AD MAT NO. 204 paired with AD MAT NO. 201, whereas they appeared in different posts previously - but this time around AD MAT NO. 202 and AD MAT NO. 102 will not be shared. Why? An explanation and a theory will be forthcoming down the road...)

More to come...