How odd that someone was calling that company about hoDS.  Was Dark Shadows ever shown Down Under?   Maybe somebody was looking for a print to show at some fantasy/horror fest?  Were you around when those people wanted to screen a print of it at their drive in theatre, and they were unable to get hold of one?  That was very sad.

This is totally OT, but I wonder whether you have ever run into anyone interested in restoring the 2 Vincent Price Dr Phibes films (AIP productions from the early 70s).  The second one was slashed to ribbons similarly to NoDS--I read at the time that Vincent Price was disgusted because he had to re-loop some of his scenes as the existing dialogue made no sense because of the cuts!  

The movies were slashed a SECOND time due to the fact that AIP failed to pay licensing fees (or whatever they're called) for certain pieces of music used in the soundtrack scores.  So far as I know, the ONLY prints in current circulation of these movies are missing scenes that were still present in TV showings of the 1980s.  

It's a sad situation.  I can no longer enjoy watching these movies because every time I watch them I started ranting and raving about the *&@! cuts.  The last time AMC ran Dr. Phibes rises again was particularly offensive--the underscore for the first sequence in the film was practically inaudible, and bore NO relationship to what was going on onscreen!

What is it about early 70s horror films?  The only available print of Vault of Horror is similarly incomprehensible, though I have read that a complete print was released on Laserdisc in Japan.

Steve

Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts about the ending of the 1795 storyline, Luciaphil.  For me, the highlight is the scene between Barnabas and Joshua.  The stuff with poor Vicki is almost interminable, especially that scene with Peter Bradford.  Remember the passages in KLS' hoDS diary in response to DC's threat to make Roger Davis her boyfriend on the series?

Onward to 1968!  You know we love Roger & the harpoon.

Steve

Beautifully stated and argued with wonderful clarity, my dear.  I'd suggest you go in for the bar if clarity and integrity did not appear to be the OPPOSITE of the qualities demanded of that profession today.  

I really must screen these episodes soon.  I draw a blank on Ben's scene with Naomi, but it sounds classic.  Can't wait.

Fascinated by your comments about Nathan.  I suppose I read him as a scoundrel from the get-go given how his early scenes with Vicki were played.  I'll watch him with a different eye (OK, here's the time to confess that I often treat him as shameless eye candy when he's onscreen) next time I go through these tapes.

Thanks again for a great little essay on these shows!  And I'm flattered by the dedication (blushing & bowing head)

Steve

Henry dolling,

I think Bathia was calling for "Silas!", eighteenth century Collinsport pizza delivery boy.  (His story was written by the same author as "Johnny Tremaine," only Thayer David played the Sebastian Cabot role.)

After all, exorcism is hungry work, especially when those darned demons keep spitting pre-digested pea soup in your face.

Looking forward to your next wonderful post!

Gothick

Last night I was watching the episode where Garth Blackwood has escaped Charles Tate's botched attempt at knot-tying (obviously Tate was never a boy scout) and is railing at Petofi.  I swear Roger Davis was about to crack up in that scene.  You could see him biting his lip and looking away.  The camera was not on John Harkins (who played Blackwood) and I had the feeling that his hat was askew. Or one of those eyebrows they had pasted on him. Those eyebrows looked like painted dead caterpillars. They were the most horrifying thing about Garth Blackwood!

I also think that Jonathan Frid or Peter Turgeon was about to burst out laughing in the climactic scene where Dr. Woodard tells Barnabas, "Last night I saw your sister Sarah!"  I'm referring to the cliffhanger of that episode; the next day when they restaged the scene, it went smoothly and came out as intended.

Steve

This is exciting news, Darren!  Let's hope the firm is willing to check their print.  It would be a tremendous find if it has the sequences you are trying to locate.

My big regret is that the Barnabas/Julia "walk" sequence is probably gone for good, since that was presumably trashed before any prints were struck from the master at MGM.

At least we have the stills.  The reconstruction of this sequence on Michael Miozza's DS films website is a must for Barnabas/Julia fans.

Gothick

Hi Luciaphil,

I wonder whether this was the thing for which I was interviewed at the 1997 Festival in NYC.  It was supposed to be broadcast on NPR.  Friends of mine who heard the final version did say that none of my snippets got used (not surprising, I wasn't terribly articulate as I recall that evening).

I would love to hear these, though.  I understand there's one point in one of the pieces where one of them says, "Now Grayson Hall--SHE shoulda become a star!" and the other goes "Right on!"  Or words to that effect.

Incidentally, your summary of the Thing that wouldn't die plot was a hoot!  I wish you'd done the whole movie. I thought I had seen it but maybe not.

Best,

Steve

Hi Jon, Congrats on your new acquisition!  That's one item I have yet to see.  I heard from friends that a segment involving Nancy Barrett hosting a tour of the Seaview Mansion (Collinwood on the show) did not play on most DVD players.  Did you have any problems with that?

Best wishes,

Gothick