SHADOWGRAM NEWS UPDATE   # 327
August 21, 2014

Hello, Dark Shadows Fan,
 
ShadowGram (SG), The Official Newsletter & News Source for Dark Shadows (DS), announces the following key breaking news in this Official DS News Online Update "bulletin."
 
**** DAVID SELBY – NEW FILM OPENS IN LIMITED RELEASE & VOD
**** JERRY LACY – NEW FILM PREMIERES IN LOS ANGELES
**** CHRIS PENNOCK – NEW FILM ON YOUTUBE
**** PERSONAL NOTE FROM MARCY ROBIN
 
 
**** DAVID SELBY IN COMEDY-DRAMA “ARE YOU HERE”
 
David (Quentin) asks SG to “please spread the word” about the movie “Are You Here.” It opens Fri., Aug. 22 in limited release and Video On Demand (VOD). It marks the big-screen directorial debut of “Mad Men” creator Matthew Weiner.
 
Plot summary: A man learns he’s inherited a fortune from his estranged father. Accompanied by his womanizing weatherman best friend,  he returns home for the funeral - and to face legal challenges from his formidable sister. David says his character “Karl Stevens” is the sister’s attorney.
 
YouTube Link to the movie trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uMtNpu6xBvU
 
David also provides the following cities and theaters information:
 
--- Opening on VOD and these theaters this Friday, August 22n:
New York - AMC Empire 25
Los Angeles –Sunset 5 **
Los Angeles – Laemmle North Hollywood ***Chicago - AMC South Barrington 30
Philadelphia - AMC Loews Cherry Hill 24
Dallas - AMC Mesquite 30
Houston - AMC Studio 30
Detroit - AMC Livonia 20
Tampa - AMC Woodlands Square 20
Denver - AMC Westminster Promenade 24
Orlando - AMC Downtown Disney 24
 
Note:
** Q&A's following the showings on 8/22 @ 4:30pm, 7:45pm. 8/23 @ 4:30pm
*** Q&A following the showing on 8/24 @ @ 1:20pm
(David will not be at the Q&A sessions)
 
 
**** JERRY LACY OPENS IN INDEPENDENT FILM “SPIDORA”
 
Jerry (Tony Peterson, Rev. Trask, Lamar Trask, Gregory Trask) appears in the new movie “Spidora,” beginning its theatrical engagement 8-29/30/31 at the Los Feliz Cinema, 1822 N Vermont Ave., Hollywood, CA 90027. Showtimes are 12 noon &12:30pm.
 
 
**** CHRIS PENNOCK IN NEW YOUTUBE FILM “THE HAPPY HOME…”
 
Chris (Sebastian, Cyrus/John, Gabriel) stars in Theatre Fantastique’s “The Happy Home of The Murderous Mahones,” released on YouTube 8-15.  Summary: “A long married couple try to kill each other, but accidentally kill an innocent bystander. Now they must cover up the murder, while still plotting to kill each other.”
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9_aULpcIF5E'
 
Writer/director Ansel Faraj featured Chris and other DS stars in some of his previous films, including “Doctor Mabuse” and “Doctor Mabuse: Etiopomar.”
 
 
**** A PERSONAL MESSAGE FROM MARCY ROBIN
 
In correspondence and at the recent DS Festival Weekend, I mentioned I’ve had health difficulties with emergency / follow-up surgeries and long recovery periods for 4+ years. I’m grateful to everyone for their good wishes, understanding, and patience over that time.
 
Briefly, I probably was born near-sighted (myopia). Myopic eye interiors grow fast throughout life and mine did – extremely, which left me vulnerable to retina detachments.  Starting in my late teens and over the next 10+ years I had multiple surgeries, including new, barely-tested procedures.
 
These early procedures were successful though they left multiple scars inside both my eyes. The problem stabilized by my 30s and doctors often told me they were amazed that “you can see as well as you do!” I obsessively went for regular check-ups and thankfully I only needed minor glasses/contact lens prescription adjustments. Yet the strong possibility of recurrence always hung over me as my eyes changed with age.
 
In Spring 2010 I had a major retinal detachment in my left eye. My regular eye doctor immediately sent me to a pioneering eye-specialist surgeon he knew well, since medical school. To secure the detachment, the surgeon performed a procedure he’d helped develop. For maximum healing success, I had to stay totally face-down for a full week with very limited activity for weeks afterward. This did work, thankfully. However, another retinal tear recurred about a year later. We had to repeat the surgery, with increased post-op restrictions. Again, everything worked.
 
Three months ago in late May 2014, my left retina abruptly tore again. Surgery repaired the damage but a new, different retinal hole occurred. Less than 36 hours after I stepped off the plane back home from the Dark Shadows Festival Weekend, he did my 4th procedure in 2 years. I was back to being strictly face-down for a week. He used a slightly different process this time, which has required an even longer recovery period. My most recent check-up was good, but he awaits final assessment in October.
 
All these surgical repairs have been invasive, done entirely inside each eye.  During the recovery time for each surgery I have been unable to see well enough to read for weeks at a time, which has prevented me from working on ShadowGram or keeping up with email and other correspondence.
 
I’ve had superb support every step of the way from the beginning.  My constant thanks and admiration go to all my doctors, their staffs, and every person anywhere who was involved with the nursing care, equipment, medications, actual procedures, hospitals and similar facilities, paperwork, etc., as I’ve gone all this throughout my life.
 
My deepest thanks and appreciation also go to SO many loved ones, friends, co-fans, co-workers, and others who’ve sent me messages, emails, cards, prayers, and thoughts of healing and hope. You’ve been there for and with me in so many ways and I am blessed.
 
Though I’ve been reluctant to say anything about my eye problems all my life, I now feel comfortable about explaining my What and Why.
 
We ALL have health and various personal worries for ourselves and those around us. (I’ve had other unexpected medical issues too.) Yet we are not alone when others openly and kindly offer their help, support, prayers, care, love…and to Just Be There.
 
To all those facing any kind of health and personal difficulties – and others you care about who have challenges as well  – I send my own positive thoughts, encouragement, and prayers for healing, calm, focus, strength, and happiness. When we reach out to and receive from others, each person benefits in countless ways.
 
When people care and wish you well, it lifts your spirit, wraps your heart in love, and brightens your path to ease you along Life’s Way ahead.
 
Thank You All.
 
Marcy Robin
August 21, 2014

Trailer for Lifetime's "The Lottery" featuring '04 DS alums Marley Shelton and Martin Donovan.  The series premieres Sunday.

Hollywood Show, July 18-20 with guests Barbara Steele and Denise Nickerson


With thanks to Kosmo!

Lara Parker Still Captivates 'Dark Shadows' Fans Everywhere from the Huffington Post Entertainment Blog, written by Peter Mac

(LP's Facebook response:  "Very well-written article with many interesting facts. Needs pictures!"}

I'm guessing there are many other DS fans that are rooting for Julia Collins.  What an eye-catching name (it's her married name, teehee) for the winningest female in the history of Jeopardy! and, as of tonight's episode, the 3rd highest money winner in regular play.  Go, Jooooolia!