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

Hi Raineypark,

Love your post about the anachronisms in the current storyline btw--I foresee that as turning into a very long section.  The Countess' clothing is about 40 years out of date (maybe more, but those dresses were on their way OUT by 1770 for sure--why didn't they put her in a powdered wig?  Maybe the powder gave Grayson a sneezing fit!)  So there's lots to write about on that topic.

I've been a very erratic Festival attendee myself.  The main reason I keep going is because of my friends among the fans.  I do think there is some backbiting or cliquishness as Joe's friend mentioned, but I think if you don't hang out with certain groups of people who mainly keep to themselves, you'd never notice it.  I think this kind of thing was more noticeable back in the 1980s when an event that drew 200 people was big news.  They routinely get 1500 on Saturday alone in NYC and last year's not-previously-announced mail-registration only for Sat. was presumably to circumvent fire code violations due to the crowds who always show up for the New York Festivals.  I think the fandom has really grown now that the show has become a mainstay (and wisely so) on the Sci Fi Channel.  It clearly has an appeal that transcends time!  And DS fandom has a magic that transcends petty fannish squabbling.

So, I hope you encourage your friend to join you at a Festival.  I bet you'll have a great time.  

As for improving the Festivals--the actors I really loved on the show are all dead.  They used to do more skits (I will never forget a marvelous one act thing Marie Wallace did one year) but if the skits are non-DS the fans often don't have much interest.  I was so upset about people coming in and going out and talking during a wonderful performance David Selby did in NYC a few years ago.     There used to be a video room set up where they would screen episodes and rare videos of other projects the actors had appeared in.  Perhaps these features will appear again at future festivals.  I've been meaning for years to approach the Festival committee about doing a tribute to Grayson Hall featuring clips from my collection, but I haven't ever managed to find the time to write up a proposal.  It would be lovely to have one for Thayer David, as well, though presumably fan interest would be smaller in that.  He is one of my top favorite DS thespians ... I do appreciate it that a few others here have written appreciatively about his work, as well.  Jonathan Frid commented once at a Festival about how sweet Thayer was and how he was like everyone's favorite Uncle on set.

Gawd, that was a never ending post!

Cheers, Steve

Thanks for posting this info, Bridget.  I remember that book from my childhood.  Marvelous illos by Maurice Sendak the miraculous one.

Great project for Mr. Selby!  Perhaps a screening can be arranged at the next DS "Festival."

Best,

Steve

So they're starting with Barnabas' introduction?  I hope they start with the first episode of the week Barnabas was released from his coffin; otherwise they'll be stuck with an odd number of episodes at some point when/if they go back and release the pre-Barnabas weeks on DVD.

And let's hope they don't elect to go with the EDITED version of these weeks released on the first 8 or 9 original MPI videos ... you'll miss several of Buzz's scenes if they do that!

Glad I'm not a DVD junkie ... still happy with my DS videos ... let's hope MPI releases some DETAILED, ACCURATE info on this set so folks who pre-order don't wind up with a product that is not up to standard!

Steve