Dear folks, by the standard definitions of "canon," the ONLY canon for the Original DS universe are the actual aired episodes of the original series.  Stuff that was in the "Marilyn" Ross novels, the Gold Key comics, the feature films, or even Sam Hall's (in)famous TV guide article isn't canon.  It either refers to its own iteration of the DS universe (yet another layer of "parallel time, " perhaps?) or represents commentary from "interested parties."  Sadly, even the wonderful video of a fabulously coiffed and gowned Joan Bennett filmed by a fan in the 1980s telling us that Elizabeth was indeed Vicki's mother does not count as canon.  (From the clues dropped in the 1966 scripts,  a very different solution to Vicki's parentage is implied, though had Art Wallace continued to write for the show, who knows what final twist he might have introduced had the matter been resolved in an aired episode.)

The Depp movie, and its potential sequels, will establish the characters and story in their own unique universe.  The storyline and revelations of that world already present a very different history for the Collins family from the narrative, fraught as it was, established for the Collinses we knew in the Sixties. 

G.

I guess Miss Hopewell's storyline is the first of many in DS history to simply drop out of sight.  I thought the scene (which I really hope is on MY DVD!) implied that we would be seeing more of Miss Hopewell, but alas, it was not to be.

G.

I was thinking about the current relay of episodes earlier today and wondering:  "Hmmm.... episode 7 ... wonder whether Vicki's taken her coat off yet?"

I was amused just now to look through the Robservations slide show and see a scene with her and Burke where, sure enough, she's wearing the coat.  (Although I do think she had it off at some point in episode 6.)

Wonder whether anybody's ordered a "container of coffee" yet?

G.

I don't mind your comments, borgosi.  I myself have reservations about the project, but have been surprised at how many elements that actually tickle me (in a GOOD way) have come to light about it.  It is a 2011 Tim Burton/Johnny Depp feature film with more money undoubtedly set to be spent on it than was ever budgeted in all five years of the original series--and then some.  So, we know going in that it is going to be a very different animal from the Sixties series we all adore.  I personally think including Alice Cooper is kind of a stylish way of commenting upon the media image of the series back in the day--which had a weird disconnect, if you think about it, from how the shows actually played.  The media image in the Sixties was all about fangs, trippy Gothique scenes, groovy ghoulies, monster rallies.  The actual shows were much more about the chemistry of the actors together and the scripts that were sometimes incredible literate and layered, especially when compared with other 1960s daytime dramas.  So, Alice Cooper in the Blue Whale with scenesters rolling joints kind of comments on that element of the DS success story.  Do you know what I mean?

I'm actually rather fond of Dracula A.D. '72.  A funny fact about that movie is that the rock band in one of the early party sequences was actually a US midwestern born-again Christian rock band that someone at Hammer found--I guess they were touring in the UK.  There is a whole big article on them, and other aspects of the movie, in an issue of Little Shoppe of Horrors from a few years ago--check out the Little Shoppe website for info.

G.

Hi Dark Lady,  I think MB meant that Seaview itself has 65 rooms.  I have been there several times... there are a lot of rooms!

G.

Jean is fabulous in Life at the Top, which is also a treat for Avengers fans as it offers a juicy role for Honor Blackman.  Margaret Johnston, who we adore in Night of the Eagle aka Burn Witch Burn, is also on board.

And a very young Jean projects aching, anxious vulnerability in So long at the Fair.  Cathleen Nesbitt, rustling down the hallways endlessly in black bombazine with sinister flair, is something of a cross between Minerva Trask and housekeeper Hoffman on DS.  Excellent fare.  It was directed by Terence Fisher who went on to do a number of classic films at Hammer studios in the 1960s.

G.

Those shots on Chloe's site are really fantastic.  I have spotted even more architectural details from Seaview incorporated into this design.  Phenomenal!

Thanks, MB!

G.