I wouldn't call it walking distance.  I remember it being on a big strip-like road with no sidewalks, so walking more than to the next hotel down the strip is kind of problematic.

Sorry to hear the Festival info did not bother to explain this to people.  *rolls eyes*

And I'm really sorry I am not going to get to see you!  The whole thing just sounds like a mess.

Best wishes,

Steve

A few comments:

Anthony George did not get "star billing."  The only actors who received special billing on DS were Moltke and Joan Bennett.  In the final few months Jonathan Frid finally got the special billing he had deserved since 1967.  Everyone else on the series was just billed as name and role.

I agree with michael c--Burke's instincts about Barnabas WERE correct, and he had very good reasons for trying to get Vicki not to go to the Old House. 

As far as acting goes, I thought George wasn't right for the romantic stuff, but some of his antagonistic scenes with Barnabas were really well played, particularly the "I thrust, you parry" scene in the Blue Whale.  At least, that's how I see it.  If you don't like the actor from the get-go, the guy could cry real tears while delivering a Shakespeare sonnet and your reaction is just going to be "feh."  And frankly, if Roger Davis declaimed from the Bard, *my* reaction would be "feh."  I just happen to think George was better than most fans seems to feel.  I also love the scene where Burke and Miss Hoffman have a deliciously man-to-man talk in the drawing room over cigarettes.  Just grand stuff IMO.

The Burke character was, as michael c points out correctly, a holdover from Shadows' origins in the realm of paperback Gothic novels.  The aggressive, controlling, demanding mystery man who both intrigues and repels the heroine.  It's kind of frustrating to think that if Conard Fowkes hadn't asked DC for a pay raise, Frank might have been Vicki's love interest and Barnabas' rival in 1967 and we might have had a very different story.  I presume the Burke character was retained because he was established and for whatever reason a re-cast of Frank was not considered.

G.

I'm not going.  Have fun.

Maybe some day, there will again be a DS fan event that one could attend without having to resort to exotic ground transport miles away from any major transit depot.  One where fan vendors were welcomed, and where a convivial atmosphere of fannish appreciation reigned.  Sadly, I fear those days are gone forever.

g.

Happy 29, my dear! I hope your friends emailed you some fabulous naked Johnny Depp photos.  or whatever else makes you happy today.

Best,

G.

At some point in the 1966-67 episodes, there was mention of an Aunt Margaret, I believe, who lived in Boston.

There was clearly more to the Collins family beyond what was revealed in the canon episodes, although there are hints if you pay attention and think carefully.  (Of course, it's hard to deal with outright conflicts in continuity, such as Josette's original maiden name being La Freniere, if I'm remembering correctly.)

G.

Just speaking personally, I found Cooper a ghastly miscast as Josette.  I don't think the actress was at all to blame.  Her reason for being there is unclear until almost the very end and her only motivation seems to be to react to Bramwell's wild and woolly antics.  I also found her line readings really flat and wooden.  She really needed a voice coach for the role but obviously nothing like that was available in the world of DS.

I'm glad that some viewers did enjoy the portrayal.  I personally tend to fast forward through her scenes because I find her physically uncomfortable to watch--along the same lines as a certain hair-clutching "actor."

G.

I still think Johnny Depp is at his best when he's in full, fabulous drag, and apparently I'm not the only one who thinks so:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1kDSDoIu8y4&feature=related

As is well known around here, I'm not a fan of remakes, but Depp as Dr. Frank N. Furter would be something to see.

G.