Fans,

Kathryn Leigh Scott (TLATKLS) announced on her Facebook page yesterday (or maybe it was the day before) that she is offering two of her books in a special holiday package.  Unusually, KLS is also throwing in a one minute phone call to each purchaser to wish the individual a happy holiday.

http://kathrynleighscott.com/collections/seasonal-specials

The offer ends on Jan. 1, 2016.

G.

If the rights to the '04 pilot are owned by WB, it may indeed be a cold day in hell before the material ever sees the light of day.  I had tea with a friend yesterday who was telling me that Warners has become notorious for not allowing material of their to be streamed or available in digital formats.  They can be really tenacious about keeping under lock and key stuff they haven't licensed, for whatever reason.

I don't think it has to do with DCP at this point.

G.

Somebody, somewhere on the Book of Face, posted a photo of JGL doing a drag number, in something.

He looked very glam.  Sorry I do not have time to dig around and find particulars.

G.

Fans, this afternoon (because our office is closed for Veteran's Day), I was finally able to attend a screening in Boston of the new Gullermo del Toro film CRIMSON PEAK.

I think fans of DEPP SHADOWS should definitely check this out.  It avoids the kind of humor that ruined the Burton film IMO but with an equally loving (and at times, frankly insane) attention to Gothic detail and Gothic texture that are very appealing to fans of DS.

Jessica Chastain really steals the film, and her performance here would be so very worthy of an update of DS.  I think in part the performance and the character were intended as an homage to Barbara Steele's 1960s Italian horror roles, so there's another DS echo there.

Another thing is that the costumes in the movie are simply stunning, for those who enjoy Victorian fashion.  The movie seems to be set around 1905 or so although some details are inconsistent.  hmmm, that's not something we're used to seeing much is it?  Inconsistency in costuming and design? LOL.

G.

Fans of the 1991 series will be interested in this report.  It might be described as a mixture of good news and bad news.

http://www.collinsporthistoricalsociety.com/2015/11/dark-shadows-1991-dvds-restore-original.html

G.

I watched a trailer yesterday and it seems  really similar to CONSTANTINE which already has a big following and needed a new home... wonder why they didn't just buy CONSTANTINE?  I mean how many shows can there be with occult themes, smart-mouth Brit bloke with designer stubble, hip chick immune unlike every other female in a five mile radius to bloke's "charms," and sexy black angel on a life or death mission?

TV really is eating itself alive these days...

all that said... I wouldn't kick Mr. Lucifer out of bed for eating crackers.

G.

What a lame poll.  It would be more accurate to call Vanessa Ives on PENNY DREADFUL an occultist, though she was trained in certain arts by a Witch.

It looked mostly like a parade of ladies who spend more time researching hair care products than studying the art of magic.

YAWN.

G.

Philippe, that's an excellent photo!  I love the MASQUE OF THE RED DEATH.  Basil Rathbone recorded it for an LP series at some point (early 1960s?) and the recordings have been digitized.  I think it's on YT.

I might park on the sofa later tonight with a 1965 British B-movie, DEVILS OF DARKNESS.  I just watched it again a few months ago but I'm in the mood for it tonight.  There's a fun party scene where various "degenerate" types bop around an arty interior to the sounds of jazz while devil masks leer at everyone from the walls.

On Monday evening I attended a 35 mm screening of one of my favorite films BRIDE OF FRANKENSTEIN (1935), at Brookline's Coolidge Corner Theatre.  It was very well attended and a very fun evening.

Best,  G.