Greetings,

thanks to a friendly tip from Darren and the MB (see NoDS thread), I've been reading the NoDS script published in the DS Movies book back in 1999.

When I first saw NoDS (on the CBS television broadcast around 1973, I think--the movie only played my town for one week, and it was when we were away on a trip), my "read" on the story was that Angelique really was a Witch. Her death certainly could be regarded as an injustice (not to mention being technically illegal--not to put too fine a point on it, in the events depicted in the complete script, she was lynched by a mob consisting of a stump preacher and some deluded local stable boys, under the direction of certain of the local gentry who had a score to settle with the lady).  I was surprised when I began to read online fandom back in the mid 90s to find that many fans' take on it was that Angelique, although a scheming adultress, was technically innocent of Witchcraft.

My current reading of Sam Hall's screenplay reinforces my original impression, that we're meant to understand that Angelique isn't just "witchy," but actually a Witch.  Many of the scenes that clarify her "uncanny" abilities of course fell victim to the cutting room floor.

I hope to go into more detail later on, but am just curious what other fans of NoDS think about the matter.

G.

Darren, I'm so sorry about the skeleton discovery sequence--it always seems to be the way with these things...

And MB, thanks for the tip about the Movies book.  I do own that book, but had never bothered to look at the screenplays very closely, since I'd already read the other draft of NoDS, for one.  And looking through hoDS, I'm shocked at the jejune, listless quality of much of the dialogue--the cut scene where Roger, Liz and Barn visit the OH for the first time, for instance.  VERY ho hum.  Makes me wonder just how much time Gordon & Sam had to crank out that script--not much, I gather.

I think I found the "piano scene."  I found a sequence that is a flashback to 1810 (and Lara wears the dress from the photo on the cover of the DS Music book--darn, am I sorry I never purchased that book!), with Parker, Selby, and Diana Millay.  Truly fabulous.  Since all 3 are alive and well, I don't see why we couldn't have a "staging" of that scene with the three reading their dialogue to the recovered footage.

I'll have to continue reading and see whether it was made more clear in this revised script the complicated idea GH explained in her notes about Carlotta not just keep the ghost alive, but actually experiencing Ang's orgasms when she was with Q!  I quite liked that idea... sooo kinky!

G.

For those who've been searching for it (I know I have), the Farewell Julia montage is visible on the Testing Page.

Good choice, MB, for one who spent so many of her days... and nights... in a laboratory!!

Beautiful work, as always, and you included several of my favorite scenes!  aren't you the clever one.

G.

Golly, I'll have to go back and look at Darren's site again.  For some reason or other, I thought that the discovery of Charles' skeleton *was* amongst the recovered footage.

I well remember opening the latest issue of Famous Monsters of Filmland back in '71 and seeing a full-page still of that scene in the magazine. Boy, was I puzzled when I finally got to see the movie and there was no sign of that scene!

G.

Hopefully it will die in development.

But, if it makes the goons at a certain film studio see the light about a restored DVD release of hoDS and NoDS, I'll manage to put up with a few weeks of teen Barn and teen Maggie.  Given the WB's track record, they'll never give the series enough time to build an audience.  Just have a look at what they did with the Tarzan series if you doubt my words.

It was a fiasco on every level--casting, scripting, production--and I believe they barely waited 2 months before pulling the plug.

G.

I well recall one DS actress complaining not just about RD being too "grabby" with her when they were running scenes together, but actually knocking her aside from view when they were on camera together!

For him, narcissism is truly an art form.

G.

Hi Wes,

From what I can recall hearing at the time (this was several years ago), the video of the House was the property of a fan.  I think the person in question was unable to attend the Festivals at the last minute so it was never shown.

If I ever hear more info about the program, I will post it here, of course.

Steve

My favorite Joanna screw-up is when she turns to Daphne and says:  "you and Daphne will go away together tonight!!" just because you love yourself SO much, my dear.  I've seen what you do with your hair when you think no one is watching ... (sorry, that was a brief trip into the psycho shadowland of the Gothick Zone).

I find Bramwell a really, really irritating character.  I suppose he was patterned after PT 1970 Quentin, who has to be one of the loudest, crashingest (?) boors of all time... and those clothes!  how do you make such a gorgeous man look as unattractive and, well, rube-like as possible?  With Bramwell, we've got the 1841 version of the mullet-do to endure.  ah well.

I believe the reason why JF was offscreen for a couple of weeks towards the end of 1840 was either because he asked for some time off for the holidays, OR because this is when they were re-negotiating whether or not he was going to stay on the show... I keep hearing these rumors that he had walked off the set one day and returned to come back unless he was allowed to play someone other than Barnabas.

G.