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« on: March 01, 2016, 03:13:59 AM »
Those memories of Humbert's performances are fascinating, Uncle Roger. I'm one of those who never watched any other soap operas unless you count STRANGE PARADISE which wasn't really very soapy and I was only able to watch it for about four months. Thankfully they did save that one so I have it all now.
I used to correspond with Ellen. She changed her name legally to Julia Collins. I read about the TV photos from ALL MY CHILDREN in a Grayson fan newsletter that came out at the time. A fan was kind enough to give me photocopies of it years ago. The photos weren't credited to Ellen, but to another fan, whose name escapes me. You could order prints of the photos through the club. So maybe they're out there somewhere. I imagine that nearly all this kind of thing was tossed in a garbage bag years ago. But I guess some really diligent fan may have kept it. I'm still trying to wrap my head around the fact that DS is now officially 50 years old, or at least, will be as of June.
Sometime today Lara Parker posted this lovely tribute to Mr. Astredo on FaceBeast:
It was with a heavy heart that I received the news yesterday of Humbert’s death. He was a fascinating man with a wicked gleam in his eye, vibrant panache, an infectious sense of humor, and his performances with his Errol Flynn good looks, so perfectly reflected and contributed to the mood and magnetism that was Dark Shadows. He was a dear friend and acting partner on the show, wonderful to work with, to joke with, to battle with, and so many people have told me that our scenes were the best ones I did. As the witch and the warlock, we had some mighty clashes. I have been in touch with him over the years, exchanging Christmas cards and emails, but I had no idea that he was in poor health. I still hoped that he would forgo his hermit ways and show up at our 50 year reunion this summer, or that I might talk him into making a Big Finish recording so that we could hear again his mellifluous voice. All of us in the cast mourn him, and will miss him terribly. (end of Lara's tribute)
G.