SHADOWGRAM OFFICIAL ONLINE DARK SHADOWS NEWS UPDATE # 294

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Sept. 8, 2013

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Hello, Dark Shadows Fan,
ShadowGram (SG), The Official Newsletter & News Source for Dark Shadows (DS) announces the following breaking news in this Official Online News Update "bulletin."
**** UPDATING: JOHN KARLEN RELEASED FROM MEDICAL REHABILITATION
**** LARA PARKER – NEW DS NOVEL BOOK TOUR – FINAL APPEARANCES
***** JOHN KARLEN LEAVES CONVALESCENT CENTER
SG Updates # 292 and # 293 reported that JOHN (Willie, Carl, William H. Loomis, Desmond, Kendrick, NODS’ Alex) has been convalescing in a Los Angeles medical-rehabilitation facility for the past several weeks, dealing with various health issues.
 
John was discharged from the facility on Sept. 4 and now is living in a house in nearby Burbank, where he’s receiving nursing care as he continues to recover from diabetes-related complications.
 
In the days before he left the facility, he was visited again by DS’ David Selby (Quentin), Kathryn Leigh Scott (Maggie), and Jim Pierson (DS Festival director/Dan Curtis Productions rep).
 
SG joins his DS colleagues and fans everywhere in wishing John a quick and complete return to health.
 
 
**** REMINDER:
LARA PARKER IN FINAL 2 APPEARANCES FOR HER NEW DS NOVEL
 
Lara (Angelique) has spent 3 weeks traveling to various parts of the country on a book tour for her 3rd DS novel, “Wolf Moon Rising,” released on Aug. 20. She launched the tour that evening at the Barnes & Noble store at the trendy The Grove in Los Angeles.
 
At each of her 9 stops, she’s spent hours chatting casually with everyone who comes, signing autographs, posing for photos, and answering a wide variety of audience questions – always an interesting interaction.
 
She also reads the novel’s prologue, which sets up the 5 main characters whose stories and lives intertwine across the decades: Barnabas, Quentin, David Collins (age 16), Angelique – reincarnated as 16-year-old Jackie, whom David loves – and, in a trip through time to the Roaring 1920s – a young Elizabeth Collins.
 
Lara’s enjoyed meeting and talking with so many people, including DS fans of all ages, those interested in the story and genre, and those who enjoy listening to and speaking with authors. Reports indicate bookstore audience numbers have ranged up to 100+. At the multi-fandom Dragon Con in Atlanta over Labor Day weekend, Lara was joined by Kathryn Leigh Scott. Many people attended their several DS-related panel talks and other activities.
 
Lara emphasizes “Wolf Moon Rising” is dedicated to all the fans who’ve enjoyed “Dark Shadows” over the 45+ years since the daytime series first aired. These include original-broadcast viewers, many of whom were young children at the time. People also are rediscovering the series thanks to the DVD all-episodes coffin-box set from MPI. Others are drawn to the 1966-71 DS after seeing the 2012 “Dark Shadows” movie from Johnny Depp and Tim Burton. Internet fans watch via Netflix and Hulu.
 
SG adds that DS fans themselves – in any fandom – always are among the best sources of introduction: they share their own love of the show with others who may have forgotten, never have seen, or never were interested in it before.
 
Her first DS novel, “Angelique’s Descent,” was dedicated to her parents. Its sequel “The Salem Branch,” saluted her DS colleagues. Both books are available through retail and online booksellers.
 
This 3rd novel continues the stories, characters, and relationships already threaded through the first 2 books. For “Wolf Moon Rising,” Lara’s dedication appreciates fans everywhere, and that’s why she visits with fans at each of her tour appearances. She arrives early, before her presentation is scheduled to begin, and stays late, to give all an opportunity to talk to her about DS, writing, acting, and more.
 
SG shares Lara’s her own invitation, issued today:
 
“FINALLY . . . NEW YORK!!!
“Welcome to all my Dark Shadows friends! I'll be on the Upper East Side Barnes & Noble Monday night ((Sept. 9)), signing my new Dark Shadows novel WOLF MOON RISING. Please come over if you can. It's a Mini Dark Shadows festival for all of us who miss having one this year!
150 E 86 Street at 6 PM! See you there!”
 
Lara’s next and final tour appearance is a few miles from where the tour began, at the unique bookstore Dark Delicacies in Burbank, near Los Angeles.
 
Mon., Sept. 9 – 7:00 pm – Barnes & Noble - 150 E. 86 St. NYC, NY 10028. (212) 369-2180.
 
Sat., Sept. 14 – 2:00 pm – Dark Delicacies - 3512 W. Magnolia Blvd., Burbank, CA. (818) 556-6660/ 1-888-DARKDEL
 
SG encourages fans in the Manhattan and LA areas to come see her!

Marcy Robin

SHADOWGRAM OFFICIAL ONLINE DARK SHADOWS NEWS UPDATE # 292

August 8, 2013

Hello, Dark Shadows Fan,

ShadowGram (SG), The Official Newsletter & News Source for Dark Shadows (DS) announces the following breaking news in this Official Online News Update "bulletin."

**** JOHN KARLEN IN MEDICAL REHABILITATION – GET-WELL CARDS & LETTERS ARE ENCOURAGED
**** DARK SHADOWS HALLOWEEN CRUISE WITH THE STARS UPDATE
**** CHRIS PENNOCK: 2 FILM ROLES & A REAL-LIFE SITUATION
**** MARSHA MASON STARS IN CLASSIC PLAY
**** KAREN BLACK SUCCUMBS TO CANCER

***** JOHN KARLEN RECOVERING IN REHAB CENTER
John (Willie, Carl, William H. Loomis, Desmond, Kendrick, NODS' Alex) has been convalescing in a Los Angeles rehabilitation facility for the past several weeks, dealing with various health and mobility issues related to diabetes.

A number of DS cast members have paid visits to John.
Kathryn Leigh Scott (Maggie) reports he was upbeat and looks good. Jim Storm (Gerard) had a nice long visit and felt his humor and will are intact. Lara Parker (Angelique) told me, "He's 80 years old and appreciated" that she came. "He was glad to see me and was very sweet. He was in good spirits."
David Selby (Quentin) and Jim Pierson (DS Festival director/Dan Curtis Productions rep) spent time with John late last week and said that his attitude was good and positive. John told them he's "missed seeing the fans the past couple of years" at the DS Festival events. John's been a regular Festival guest, most recently in Burbank, CA, in 2010. He says he hopes "to be well enough to attend" the Festival next summer at Lyndhurst Estate in Tarrytown, NY (where he and other DS TV cast members filmed the 1971 movie, "Night of Dark Shadows"). (SG will announce event details as we finalize plans.)

He's thinner and walks cautiously, but indications are he is improved, and it is hoped he'll soon be released from the rehabilitation center.

John is a beloved and longtime participant at DS events; in fact, he was the first DS person to attend a fan convention. He was our only guest at the first ShadowCon, held as a part of the larger StarCon convention in San Diego in 1977. ShadowCon was created and organized by Jean (Peacock) Graham, Kathy Resch, and Marcy Robin.

John says he greatly appreciates hearing from fans while he's in rehab.

You are invited and encouraged to send John get-well cards and letters. He has no computer or internet access, so postal-mail messages are most welcome.
You can write to John at:

John Karlen
Studio City Rehabilitation Center, Room 10
11429 Ventura Blvd.
Studio City, CA 91604

SG thanks you for sharing your good wishes and healing thoughts with him!

**** DS HALLOWEEN CRUISE WITH THE STARS – SPACES STILL AVAILABLE
From Oct. 27-Nov. 3, Lara Parker, Kathryn Leigh Scott, and Marie Wallace will sail with DS fans for the first-ever DARK SHADOWS cruise. The voyage leaves from the New York City area and travels to Bermuda for a lovely island visit. Along the way, Lara, Kathryn, and Marie will host DS-related activities on the ship, including discussions, dramatic readings, Q&A sessions, autographs, video and film screenings, cocktails, book and photo sales and signings, plus a tribute to Jonathan Frid and a Halloween party - in addition to including meals and other fun activities on board. Halloween itself will be spent at Kings Wharf, Bermuda.
There still is time for fans to attend this historical DS event, but reservations must be confirmed: BY AUGUST 11.
To make a reservation and for full details, call now: 1-800-828-4813.
Or go to: http://www.hartfordholidays.com/DarkShadowsHalloweenCruise/Home.html

**** CHRIS PENNOCK: BUSY FILMING – AND EVACUATING
Chris (Jeb Hawkes) filmed "Dr. Mabuse 2 - Etiopomar" in June and July, joining 3 DS colleagues in the independent psychological thriller. Jerry Lacy (Trask), Lara Parker, and Kathryn Leigh Scott reprised their roles from DM1. Jerry again plays the sinister title character. Writer/director Ansel Faraj plans a Summer 2014 release. Chris says DM2 has "a new ending climax that will blow your mind!"
The first "Doctor Mabuse" film world-premiered at the DS Festival's "DS Island Weekend" in Coronado, CA, in April. Plans call for its DVD release this fall.
http://www.doctormabuse-themovie.com/doctor-mabuse-2013.html
Chris then shot the independent film "The Forest Fire" in Los Angeles. Publicity: It is "an ensemble piece of individual tragedies intertwined into a personal and beautiful apocalypse." http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/the-forest-fire
Chris lives in Idyllwild, in the mountains of the San Bernadino National Forest, southeast of Los Angeles, about 50 miles from Palm Springs. In mid-July, a real fire threatened: A serious, lightning-strike wildfire ravaged the vicinity, ripping through dry, rugged terrain. For over a week it spread rapidly, destroying some structures and forcing evacuations. Chris, his wife Lynn, their dog Boris, and some of their cats were evacuated for 5 days but thankfully returned home safely on July 21. The ashy, burned landscape not far from their home will heal in Nature's way.

**** MARSHA MASON STARS IN COMEDY PLAY IN PENNSYLVANIA
Marsha (Vampire Audrey) stars in the comedy "The Allergist's Wife," being staged at the Bucks County Playhouse, 8-15/9-1. Publicity: "A middle-aged Upper West Side ((Manhattan)) doctor's wife (has) plunged into a midlife crisis on an epic scale, (but then her) life suddenly gets a lift when a former childhood friend reappears" in "a show filled with passion and humor."
The Bucks County Playhouse is located at 70 S. Main St., New Hope, PA . Phone: 215-862-2121. The box office is open 7 days a week 12pm-5pm.

**** KAREN BLACK – ACTRESS IN DAN CURTIS PRODUCTIONS – PASSES AWAY
Though Karen was never on DS, she has close ties to Dan Curtis (DS Creator/Director/Producer): his 1975 classic, iconic TV anthology "Trilogy of Terror" and his 1976 theatrical movie "Burnt Offerings." She spoke about working with him at the DS 40th Anniversary Halloween Party at the Vista Theater in Los Angeles (Los Feliz) 10-26-06, where she and other attending DS personnel (plus Barbara Steele) placed their handprints in cement in the theater forecourt.
She died today, Aug, 8, after battling spreading cancer in her spine. She was hospitalized in June and underwent traditional medical treatments. She then was moved to a nursing facility and alternate, holistic methods were used, improving her attitude and sensitivities and extending her life several weeks.

Marcy Robin

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