Darling Luciaphil, thanks for these wonderful notes.  I love how you write about the series, and you always bring out details and observations that elude me.

I've never been a fan of Barnabas/Josette, and I think you are explaining why.  It's certainly not because of lack of skill and depth on the part of either Jonathan or Katie.  

Fascinating to read your exchanges with Nancy.  You both make such interesting points about the production.  I personally think it is a miracle that DS is as good as it is.  And there is no doubt that at many points through the history of the series, DS touched the stars in a way that was unique in television history.  I was watching an episode of the Count Petofi storyline of 1897.  Violet Welles wrote such marvelous dialogue for him, Thayer David delivered it all with such superb relish and wonderful bits of business.  All the other actors, Jonathan, David Selby, David H, Nini, were all spot on.  Fabulous.  Comparing this with the episodes of Days of Our Lives from 1966 I have seen--there IS no comparison.  

I think the biggest problem of DS overall was the fact that Dan Curtis was the de factor Head Writer.  So, whenever the writers attempted to bring some consistency into the storylines, DC would throw a spanner into the works with some kooky idea.  And then a lot of them he wasn't even around (which in my opinion was a good thing) because he was off pursuing some other project.  My personal opinion is that DS was axed because DC was finding it too much of a distraction and he wanted to spend more time with feature films, as he began to do immediately after it left the air.

Anyhow, great notes!  I look forward very much to the next installment.

Your fan,

Steve

Wow, Ringo, I'm really pleased, you are one of the few str8 guys I have met who doesn't slavishly follow every conceivable sports season!  

"March madness" is some sort of college basketball face-off.  I apologize if my silliness was unnecessarily obscure.  I was actually quite puzzled when my boss was telling me about it!

Love the snoop dogg comment, btw!  And I didn't post there, but I really enjoyed your Quentin magazine cover.  Someday I must email you off board to ask about what goes on with all those references to the pants.

Best,  Steve

Luciaphil darling,

Thanks for reminding me that this column exists!  I've enjoyed reading all your witty comments and distinctive observations about these shows, and now I'll remember to check this part of the boards for updates.

As regards costumes, I'd say Grayson had the most UNEVEN wardrobe of anyone.  Sometimes her outfits were, if not beautiful, very flattering to her coloring and looks.  I particularly love that electric blue dress that she wore several times in the winter of 1968-69.  There was another one with a roll-neck collar which she appeared in the final scene set in 1971.  That's counterbalanced by that unspeakable sweater set horror they stuck her in for the ENTIRE second half of the 1967 storyline, that hideously nubby orange horror that Stanley Simmons had the gall to pull out of the mothballs after Ramse Mostoller finally quit in 1970, that ghastly coat they made her wear during the Leviathan storyline (no successful professional woman in her right mind would have been seen dead in that thing), etc. etc.

Sorry to have gone on so.  Love the column, Luciaphil.

Best,  Steve

Haven't been keeping up with the shows as b'cast on Sci Fi (I have had almost NO time to enjoy videos lately), and I've hardly read every post here, but I am still surprised not to have seen a topic for the amazing scene between Louis and Joan where they discuss the death of their daughter, Sarah.  I believe the scene played at the beginning of the first episode yesterday (Wed.)  It's the one where Joan has the line about the little bird she heard singing at dawn.  The scene is absolutely heartbreaking--the expression of devastation on Joshua's face is still with me years after my viewing of it.  A wonderful moment between the two of them, and I defy anyone to watch this and claim Joan Bennett wasn't a great actress.

I remember somebody posting this as one of the most effective, memorable moments in the entire series.  I would definitely agree with that estimation.

In the post on the sources for the 1795 storyline, 2 other films that come to mind are "The Undead," a very cheaply made Roger Corman film of the Fifties, and "Berkeley Square" with Leslie Howard.

Best wishes,

Steve

Whenever I have watched these episodes, I always thought that, as a witch, Angelique was immune to anything as mundane as a gunshot wound.    One of the things I like about the 1795 storyline is that it seems that you are watching Angelique learn about her own powers as it goes along.  They even imply in one line, I believe, that the choking spell on Barnabas was the first spell she ever cast (though I would doubt that, her Maman had obviously taught the child a lot about spellcraft).

When Angelique does appear to die subsequently, it is at the hands of a creature of the supernatural, and as the apparent result of her own curse, as Barnabas gloatingly informs her.  But watch out kids, she may be back ...

Angelique's comin' ... look busy!

Steve

Bob,

Thanks for that touching paean.  Poor dear Ruby, gone but not forgotten.  I believe her ghost appears again in a later episode.  

Ever see the FAB appearance by the Stones when they performed this song on Ed Sullivan back in the day?  Brian Jones wears this gorgeously poofy hat and does things to a recorder that wouldn't be allowed on network TV today.  I loved Brian Jones.  What a genius ...

Steve

Since no other male fans have spoken up yet about Don the divine, I'll take the initiative.  He has a considerable following amongst the gay DS fans to this day.  One of my dearest friends and I take turns claiming Chris Jennings as our boyfriend whenever he, as it were, comes up.  His shirtless scenes are incredibly exciting.  I guess somebody realized how much his swimmer's physique spiced the show up because there are SEVERAL episodes where he comes in and rips his shirt off!  This was well before the period when all the soaps featured shirtless hunks parading around too.  Once again, DS was a pioneer for those other tired copycat soaps!

There is an interview with Don Briscoe from the early 90s available in the fan-published zine Fangs for the Memories.  He recalled being upset when Dan Curtis was directing the show one day and made him smoke a cigarette on camera--he felt it was setting a bad example for the young viewers of the show. He also recalled being in the cast of the Broadway production of Boys in the Band in 1969 as a career highlight.  At this time the original cast members were doing the film version.  

It's great to see Don remembered here.  

Steve