Mysterioso Darling, you *know* "Beyond Wicked" is going to be the title of my memoirs, don't you?  Shelve next to "Little Me" in the Blue section of your home bibliotheque.

When I first saw the "child" board display (hey, it's a Mother and Child Reunion!), I recalled how we were requested to collapse the menu display on the first page of the boards a couple of years ago in the interest of conserving bandwidth.  I don't really understand how bandwidth works but would figure that displaying all those board titles and links takes up a lot more BW than is necessary if I'm just checking the day's new posts.

I checked around and was surprised not to see any new instructions about this.  I didn't realize that the new thing is still in beta.  Seems a little strange that other systems admins who are using this haven't expressed concern over the BW issue.  Is that a red herring here?

It would just make *my* life a little less complicated not to have to navigate that big screen.

kiss kiss,  G.

Why hasn't anyone mentioned Humbert Allen Astredo?  Seems as if I recall reading that in 1969 or 1970, during one of his breaks from DS, he played an interior decorator on another soap.  Gods, what I would give to see him in action in such a role...

Just imagine the sinister sound "fuchsia," "peach," and "burgundy" would have rolling off that wicked tongue!

G.

Just a stab in the dark, but since the episodes we're currently "watching" were taped in the late Summer of 1968, I'd guess that accounts for Vicki's sleeveless look.  It was popular for summer dresses in the late Sixties.

Old fogey Gothick (if you want a fashion blast from the past, rent the Monterey Pop DVD--you'll find out just how garrrooovy the clothes were back in 1967, Summer of LOVE!)

OK, is it just me, or does Julia look as if she's having a very private, personal moment in today's montage?

I saw this yesterday and thought nothing of it, but today when the top page first loaded it hit me that the Physician to the Vampire appeared to have found something VERY special in the woods.  Maybe Tom was down there out of frame???

Also, a technical note--I've tried to figure out how to collapse the new index of the 9,999 chat boards available on Current Talk, and have found defeat upon the Field of Flanders.  Do I feel like an old lady.

Inconsolable,

G.

David Ford's marriage with Nancy Barrett was on the rocks in 1967-68.  I believe this has been discussed in public sources, but if this is an infringement on the Board regs of not discussing the actors personal lives, hope the Mods will delete this post.

I think Ford had another acting gig in 1968 which is why he suddenly disappeared as Andre.  A lot of the DS actors appear to have worked under verbal agreements rather than written contracts--a situation that is unimaginable in today's world.

Anyway, I always thought the personal dynamics of him and Nancy needing not to be working together on the same show were responsible for his appearances and disappearances, and eventually to his leaving altogether.

A fan who knew the people involved claimed that Nancy herself was going to leave at one point in '68, but Grayson talked her out of it one night over dinner.

G.

Just a reminder, folks--DVDs *are* subject to quality control issues, just like every other mass produced product.

Whenever I purchase a new DVD (or video, or CD, for that matter) I always play at least a little of it as promptly as possible, and I save the packaging and receipt(s) carefully until it's gotten the all-clear.  You really can't be too careful.

If you put something aside to "save" it for a rainy day or special viewing occasion, you may wind up holding onto past the date when a retailer will be willing to give you store credit or full refund for return.

just my 2 drachmae.

G.

I don't believe I ever saw the Dark Shadows game.  I did enjoy the Barnabas Collins game, although the novelty wore off quickly.

It would be fun to have a semi role-playing Dark Shadows game along the lines of Clue.  Players could be cursed as vampires or werewolves or get to be gypsies or witches.  I know what I'd want to be. *g*

G.

I absolutely adore 1966.  I love the really early months when Burke will stop at nothing to get back at the Collins family and Vicki is shrewd enough to question even Liz's motives (they get some wonderful scenes together, some of which are still ahead of you).  I love the 1966 Roger--Edmonds brought some wonderfully subtle shadings to the unfolding of Roger's depravity, and as Prof Stokes wrote, David is simply extraordinary to watch.  Some of this stuff is up there with the best of Twilight Zone in terms of storytelling that 's focused on some of the more unpleasant quirks of human emotional neurosis.

My favorite scenes of all are the big showdowns between Liz and Burke.  I thought Bennett did an amazing job with those scenes.  Sheer regal authority.

The Liz/Roger scenes are sheer delicious fun.  It's a lot of fun watching these two being so icy and disdainful and sometimes struggling to out-manipulate one another.  Of course, Liz almost invariably wins, but the outcome always has this edge to it.

It's almost unbelievable that somebody held onto the complete set of master tapes for these months, given that they seem never to have been considered for WorldVision syndication until Sci Fi's initial airing ca. 1992.

G.