To Chris, re Joel Crothers,

Back in the archives of the old Board, someone had posted this very interesting magazine interview that was done with Joel in 1969.  In the interview he gave several reasons for why he had left Dark Shadows.  I honestly think it was a combination of things, plus maybe he wanted a little more money and he got that with his next job.  I'm not sure about that.  Anyhow, it is a very interesting interview; among other things, he discusses the scripts he wrote while he was on the show.  I think this interview may be the only print source where that is documented.

If you email the Mysterious Benefactor, he may be able to locate the old scan of that article.  He's a busy man and I can't guarantee that he will have the tiime to look, but, if anybody could find, he could!  Alas, I failed to keep a copy of the original post.  You could also post a topic to the Current Chat board headlined Joel Crothers Interview (or similar) and see if any of the fans currently registered might have a copy they could share.

FWIW, I do think the character of Joe got more interesting towards the end, until he turned totally loony-tunes, I mean.  Some of his scenes with KLS after Joe's breakup with Maggie were among the best work both of them did in the series, IMNSHO.

Best,

Steve

April 2, 1971.  A date... that will live ... in INFAMY!

I still remember being shattered by the loss of DS.  It was my secret garden and I HATED being locked out.  It was a big thrill, though, when they brought it back when I was a senior in High School.  I still remember being fascinated and bewildered by those 1967 episodes.  The night of Julia's debut I vividly recall being mesmerized just as much as Maggie was!

Steve

Welcome aboard, Allen!  What was your handle when you were on the Dominion?

I live for music, but am afraid I don't know Lynyrd Skynyrd.  I'm sure Ringo knows all about them, though, he seems VERY informed about all the current bands.

Interesting that you're from Balto.  I'm from Havre de Grace myself, although I have lived in Boston since 1994 (and lived in Connecticut before that--and overseas before THAT).  Havre de Grace is a bizarre little town.  One of the librarians I used to work with always called it Kooksville.  You could really imagine the kind of strangeness that used to take place in Collinsport happening there.  When I lived there, it was a mouldering old port on the Chesapeake Bay with such timeworn establishments as the Chat 'n' Chew Lounge, Tim's Bar, This 'n' That (from Here 'n' There), Shocket's Bargains, etc.  There was an "eccentric" doctor who lived in a Victorian mansion on Union Ave. and wound up being strangled by his chauffeur one stormy night.  I could go on, but you get the picture.  In recent years it's gotten a lot more touristy and pricey, which seems strange.  Perhaps one of these years a pack of manitoux will hit town and massacre everyone whose bloodline doesn't bear a certain "taint."  

Sorry, I've been reading too many creepy stories by a certain young gent of my acquaintance ... Didn't you say that you and your wife are Avengers fans, too?  Ever watch Strange Paradise?

Best,

Steve

I can't believe you guys could forget one of her most important items of equipment:  the MEDALLION!  There's probably a little crib note too to help remind her how to go through the "find the center of the light" speech.

Besides the Medallion, I'm sure she had:

a packet of Marlboros (Julia's too butch for Virginia Slims)
a matchbook from the High Hat Lounge
a hankie plus some tissue
a tiny bottle of Chanel No. 5
Dr's choice of prophylactics (you KNOW Jules was always prepared)
a fold-up rain bonnet
a .45 revolver (she almost used it during the Cassandra storyline, remember?)

Showing yet again that I spend WAY too much time thinking about my Favorite Redhead,

Steve

Vicki is the only one of all of them who ever behaved like a governess, so she gets my vote.  I do feel sorry for Rachel whenever I watch those episodes.  I think she was a nice enough girl, but to describe her as uninformed would be a charitable act.  I know I would have packed my bags the first time Judith had that "little talk" about how "all hell breaks loose here every night, but we DON'T say anything about it!"

Vam, you're a librarian too??? We should start a club!

Best,

Steve

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