SHADOWGRAM
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Number 195. May 3, 2009.

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Hello, Dark Shadows Fan,

ShadowGram (SG), The Official Newsletter & News Source for Dark Shadows (DS), announces the following breaking news.

***" BEN CROSS IN NEW "STAR TREK" MOVIE

Ben (1991 DS Barnabas) plays "Ambassador Sarek," father of "Spock," in the highly-anticipated eleventh film in the franchise, titled simply "Star Trek." It opens nationwide and in many other countries this Friday, May 8.

I attended the "Star Trek" premiere at Manns Chinese Theater in Hollywood on April 30. The entire movie cast, including Ben, was there. His character is only in a few scenes but they crucially illustrate Spock's relationship with his Vulcan father and human (Terran) mother, and offer insights into Spock's own self-identity and life choices.

Please share with SG any publicity, reviews, articles, interviews, or other material about the "Star Trek" movie. Send all materials to SG's e- or postal- mail addresses below. You will be named as a Contributor in the next print issue, SG #115, and may receive a Contributor's Copy of the issue as well.

**** DS MERCHANDISE ON SALE – DIRECT FROM MPI

MPI asks SG to announce a limited-time sale for * all * its products, including "Deep Discounts On All Dark Shadows Merchandise!"

"20% off all products now through Sunday, May 10!"

There is a range of DS items – clothing, accessories, collectibles, and more – as well as all the original series' episodes on dvd.

Publicity: MPI is "your complete source for a unique collection of classic television shows, movies, documentaries, and more on DVD and Blu-ray.

"We are proud to announce the launch of the new MPIHOMEVIDEO.com website. With this new launch, we have made many improvements for our site visitors" to enjoy and utilize.

For more information, please visit www.mpihomevideo.com
Or contact:

MPI Media Group
16101 S. 108th Ave.
Orland Park, IL 60647
800-323-0442

**** DS FESTIVAL – DS RESURRECTED – HOTEL UPDATE

The 2009 DS Festival convention is August 14-16 at the Marriott Newark Airport Renaissance Hotel, 100 Spring St., Elizabeth, NJ 07021. (908) 436-4600.

SG Update # 194 premiere-announced the Renaissance Hotel has sold out its final block of special-rate rooms for the DS weekend.

These nearby hotels should have rooms available. Please directly contact each of the following hotels to make reservations at their locations.

.--- Hampton Inn Newark Airport, 1128-38 Spring St., Elizabeth, NJ 07207. (908) 355-0500 www.hamptoninn.com

--- Hilton Newark Airport , 1170 Spring Street, Elizabeth, NJ 07201. (908) 351-3900. www.hilton.com

SG reminds fans about the Fest's Roommate service. Fans looking for possible hotel roommates can contact Pam Jarman. She can put people in touch with each other and they then make their own hotel arrangements between them. Pam cannot make room reservations, handle travel planning, etc.

Email her at pljarman@hotmail.com or send a SASE (Self-Addressed Stamped Envelope) to Pam Jarman, P.O. Box 45674, Los Angeles, CA 90045.

Fans now can pre-register their daily or full-weekend memberships. Memberships at the same rates also will be available at the door. A tentative schedule of events will be sent to pre-registered members shortly before the convention.

It is recommended that fans planning to attend the traditional Banquet with the Stars should send in their non-refundable reservations/payments as soon as possible.
Banquet space is limited. Jonathan Frid's autograph – on a special commemorative Barnabas photograph – only will be available to pre-paid Banquet attendees

The Fest does not accept credit cards or PayPal. You must use the reservation form, which is found on the Fest website www.darkshadowsfestival.com or available by sending a SASE (Self-Addressed Stamped Envelope) to Dark Shadows Festival, P.O. Box 92, Maplewood, NJ 07040.

SG Update #192 and the latest print issue SG #114 had more information about guests, planned programming, hotel location, local attractions, and other details.

**** Subscription information for the ShadowGram Newsletter print issues follows. When your order arrives, I will send you the current SG #114 newsletter to begin / renew your subscription. The next SG #115 and subsequent issues will be sent to you and all postal-mail subscribers as they are published..

Thank you.

Marcy Robin
ShadowGram Editor / Publisher
P.O. Box 1766
Temple City, CA 91780-7766

Official ShadowGram Website: www.Shadowgram.com

Holzer served as technical advisor to Night of Dark Shadows.  From the April 29 NY Times Books section:

Hans Holzer, Ghost Hunter, Dies at 89

Depp's SBSP character, surf legend Jack Kahuna Laguna, debuts today in "SpongeBob vs. the Big One."  It can be seen at 8 p.m. Eastern/Pacific (7 p.m. Central) on Nickolodeon, on www.nick.com, and on DVD.  Enjoy!

West Coasters can still catch Ivana Milicevic as a Russian matchmaker who goes missing on tonight's Without a Trace called "Heartbeat" on CBS.

Vicki Winters is preggers!  The Mar. 27 issue of EW reports that Marley Shelton is expecting her first child, due in the Fall.  Hubby is producer Beau Flynn.

"The Bullseye" asks when "Susan Sullivan became old enough to play the horny old grandma," her role in the new series Castle.  I haven't seen the show because I heard it's just not good, but can you imagine DS' other former Playboy Bunny-- KLS-- in a similar role?  I think not.