That's interesting MB.  In the original narrative as you know, Josette and Barnabas lived in the 1830s (actually, in the ORIGINAL narrative, Josette's surname was something like LaFreniere).  Presumably the Old House was built to replace--or considerably add onto--the original Collins homestead of the 17th century.

G.

I'm going to have to get out the DVDs and check, but I always thought the ring Stokes wore was a "Harvard class ring" (I'll check Google in a moment and see if I can find a link to a good image of one).  I always figured it was Thayer David's own ring since he attended Harvard (same class or adjoining as Frank O'Hara and Edward Gorey).  From what I recall, Count Petofi's ring is more of a "knuckle duster" with what looks like a ruby but is almost certainly glass or paste.

G.

I watched the new episode tonight and I really enjoyed it.  The series continues to riff upon some themes familiar to DARK SHADOWS fans but there are other themes as well involved... it's a very complicated story and I'm loving every minute of this ride.

I just wish I felt more optimistic about the series being renewed for next year... It's been an exceptionally delicious wintertide treat to enjoy.

G.

Did Vicki arrive in Depp Shadows in October as well?  I don't recall that being mentioned...

G.

Heavens, what an undertaking!  Making a 45 minute piece of film last an entire year sounds really radical, especially when you have access to so little visual material.  Perhaps an angel out there will be inspired by your project to supply you with more material for this.  I hope so.  (I alas have nothing beyond the Youtube clip I posted a few weeks ago.)

Happy New Year M. B., Midnite, dom, and all who contribute to making this such a special DS home for all of us.

cheers, GothEEEEEEK

According to this article, as of Jan. 1 Netflix will (possibly/probably) no longer have 400 episodes of DS available for streaming:

http://www.collinsporthistoricalsociety.com/2013/12/netflix-to-lose-dark-shadows-in-new-year.html

I seem to be one of the few who still rents actual DVDs from the service, and my perusal of the catalogue shows the entire series *of discs* still coming up available, though I'm sure that in some instance, there may be a wait because only certain warehouses probably hold certain discs.

Above article states that there are also a few hundred DS shows available on hulu, which probably means the "hulu plus" service.

Rights to streaming vs. rental rights seem to operate according to different rules and provisions.  I don't know anything about it.

G.

Curtis promoted the new series in several interviews in 1990 along the lines of "this time we've got money and we're going to do it right."

Some of us feel that the original series was as good as it was despite DC's input (which was often minimal-to-nonexistent).  I thought how the 1991 remake turned out demonstrated that pretty effectively--DC micromanaged every aspect, even tinkering with at least some of the scripts I believe.

In one of her recent video interviews, Barbara Steele complained that DS wasn't a happy memory for her because she clashed with DC over how the character of Julia should be played.  She wanted to make Julia more stylish and "eccentric" and DC insisted that every scene be played in deadly earnest.

Thankfully Steele was able to have a lot of fun with the character of Natalie--she dresses and speaks like the madam of a very high end French bordello.

Best, G.

The last time I checked all the episodes, or substantial numbers, were available for free viewing on hulu, Youtube, and possibly other outlets, and there's some channel that runs it a couple of times a year.

We've debated the series on several threads here in the past, but I guess you missed those discussions, Patti.

I think one thing that fans of this version like is the romanticism, particularly the fact that this time around, Vicki sincerely reciprocates Barnabas's attraction.  There are some Barnabas/Vicki scenes, really beautifully played by Ben Cross and Joanna Going (who IMO deserved to have more of a career) that have a very special quality if that's the kind of thing you wished you could have seen in the original.

I've already expounded several times about what I liked, and what I didn't like, and don't feel up to repeating it all now.

Holiday cheer, G.