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.

I've never heard of the show.  At first I thought you meant the video rental chain which I think is defunct?

Roughly when did it air originally?

G.

Sara Monster posted this older video of hers and I thought it was hysterical--and very appropriate to the season:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G7zsteBQllY

Poor Willie endlessly stuck with those lights...

G.

Does Depp's Barnyboo makeup include a fake nose?  We've already discussed the fake fingers, fingernails, ears and hair.  Looking at the screenshot that I think is about to switch, it suddenly occurred to me that his nose had been at the very least embellished.

I really wonder how long it took every day for Depp's transformation into Barn--I am guessing a minimum of two hours.  More likely closer to three.

G.

Hard to believe this was 31 years ago... December 1982:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rCEzY9ZE02o

The irony, probably lost on most, was that Joan's 1983 "Hollywood movie" was a telefilm with Parker Stevenson in which she played a bag lady. I'm still shocked every time I think about Joan's appearance in that production.  So far as I am aware it was her last time acting before the cameras.

G.

Curiouser and curiouser.  I have the feeling we haven't heard the last of this... but then, who knows.

Let's hope we're not all saying at some point down the line, "What might have been... can never be." (quoting the late great Sandor Rakosi)

G.