Alice Cooper To Make Dark Shadows Cameo?

Johnny Depp made a surprise appearance in London's 100 Club at the weekend, playing as part of a set with cult rocker Alice Cooper. Since the gig, there have been widespread rumours that Cooper is set to cameo in the Dark Shadows feature film, sparked by a posting on his official website. To read the full article, click here. Interestingly, a recent Twitter post from a supporting artist on the film reported that Alice Cooper tracks were being used for dance rehearsals on set.

In other move news, the Bracknell Forest Standard has reported that Dark Shadows is set to film on location in Crowthorne, Berkshire at the Transport Research Laboratory (TRL). The property is an area of private woodland used for testing vehicle safety. To read the piece, click here.

Dark Shadows Celebrates 45 Years

Today marks 45 years to the day that Dark Shadows debuted on ABC-TV. Replacing cancelled teen soap Never Too Young, Art Wallace's opening episode saw governess Victoria Winters travel to the mysterious Collinwood mansion, where a household of troubled characters and an epic journey spanning nearly two centuries awaited her.

I recently wrote about the enduring power of Dark Shadows, so I'll try and avoid repeating myself. But how wonderful to consider that right now a new cast and crew are busy bringing the series to life all over again. They have big shoes to fill. However much of the original show thrived on luck and improvisation, no one should underestimate the sheer mass of talent assembled for the show, ranging from Oscar nominees to keen newcomers. This one's for them. So to all of the Dark Shadows cast and crew, happy anniversary!

Movie Filming Update

Work has been continuing on Tim Burton's Dark Shadows feature film, with six weeks of principal photography now in the can. It is understood that some filming has taken place on the Collinwood exterior set, erected in Surrey's Bourne Woods, though it should be emphasised that this is a closed set, not viewable by the public, and is monitored by on-site security during filming.

Chloe Moretz (Carolyn Stoddard) returns to the set this week, after a brief break in Los Angeles to attend the 2011 Saturn Awards, where she scooped a gong for Best Performance by a Younger Actor for Let Me In. Meanwhile, actor Gabriel Freilich has posted on Twitter that he begins filming on Dark Shadows this week; he was listed on IMDB as playing a hippie several weeks ago, though the posting was subsequently removed.

And don't forget, you can now follow this blog on Twitter. Dark Shadows movie producers GK Films tweeted earlier this week "@DarkShadowsNews covers everything Dark Shadows better than anyone." Follow us by clicking here.

Picture of the Week: 45 Years Ago This Week...

This week marks the 45th anniversary of Dark Shadows' network debut on ABC-TV, and here's one of the show's very first publicity stills, featuring David Henesy (David Collins), Alexandra Moltke (Victoria Winters and Louis Edmonds (Roger Collins). The picture was taken on location at Seaview Terrace, the Rhode Island estate used for the exterior of Collinwood, and was a particular favourite of Louis Edmonds, who kept a framed copy in his home.

If you would like to submit an image for Picture of the Week, email webmaster@collinwood.net

More Movie Set Photos

Site reader Mark Williams has written in to share some more images of the Dark Shadows movie set, taken last weekend. The Collinwood facade has been under construction at Bourne Woods, Surrey, for several weeks, with filming expected to begin soon. To see more of Mark's photography, visit his website by clicking here.

Movie Set Nears Completion

Work on the exterior set for the new Dark Shadows feature film at Bourne Woods, Surrey, is nearly finished, and courtesy of Aston5Man here's a new view of Collinwood. It seems likely that the upper storeys of the mansion will be added digitally in post production. To view more images, click here.

More news from the production continues to appear on the net. A recent article on the Herald Scotland website reports that the Scottish Association of Marine Science has supplied a large quantity of seaweed for set dressing on Dark Shadows; to read the full piece, click here. Meanwhile, actress Chloe Moretz has confirmed on her Twitter feed that she has at least temporarily finished filming her role as Carolyn Stoddard and returned to Los Angeles; It is not known if she will resume work on Dark Shadows at a later date.

Finally, IMDB continues to report crew appointments for the film. Joseph Bond is Dark Shadows' associate film editor, having previously worked on Alice in Wonderland and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Nick Davis and Cheryl Potter join him as apprentice and assistant editors respectively.

Picture of the Week: WHYN-TV Presents...

Be sure to tune in to WHYN-TV 40 for the debut of television's first continuing suspense drama Dark Shadows! Hopefully viewers didn't feel too short-changed when the opening episode failed to feature a gigantic disembodied head munching its way through the walls of Collinwood. Originally published in the Springfield Mass Union. Submitted by Roy Isbell.

If you would like to submit an image for Picture of the Week, email webmaster@collinwood.net

David Selby Celebrates Ford's Theatre

David Selby (Quentin) was a guest at last weekend's Ford's Theatre Gala dinner at the National Portrait Gallery in Washington, DC. He's pictured here with Congressman Ed Markey of Massachusetts and actor Avery Brooks.

As part of the event, David took part in a reading from Richard Hellesen's new play Necessary Sacrifices, examining two encounters between social reformer Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln. A full production is scheduled to open next January. To keep up with David's activities, visit his official website by clicking here.

Photo by Reflections Photography, Washington, DC, courtesy of Ford's Theatre

Helena Bonham Carter Talks Julia Hoffman

Helena Bonham Carter was recently interviewed by website IFC about her film Toast, a biopic of British chef Nigel Slater. During the conversation, she discussed her role as Dr. Julia Hoffman in the new Dark Shadows feature film, with the actress hinting at what's in store for Collinsport's resident medic:

"Filming's] only just started. We're gently getting into it and... the '70s [time period]. I just suddenly thought I know this period and funnily enough, the woman who made all the food for Toast... is doing all the food on Dark Shadows... She was cooking the breakfast because we have a few dinner scenes in this."

Asked about her psychotherapist mother, who often studies scripts for her, Carter suggests: "I'm definitely borrowing from her... being a psychotherapist, I've been brought up with that whole psychoanalytical terrain. But I'm not sure my mom will feel flattered to know that I'm basing the alcoholic psychiatrist on her... We'll see with Dr. Hoffman, but it's fun being a doctor. I get to hypnotize Johnny [Depp] and do all sorts of things to him." To read the full interview, click here.

Picture of the Week: Haunting Beauty Sought

One of the more offbeat promotional campaigns for the Night of Dark Shadows movie. Seems like a lot of effort to win a night at a Holiday Inn...

If you would like to submit an image for Picture of the Week, email webmaster@collinwood.net

Launch Party For Dark Passages

Kathryn Leigh Scott's (Maggie Evans) new novel Dark Passages is due out this summer and the Diesel bookstore in Brentwood, Los Angeles will be hosting a special publication party on August 7 at 3.00pm. For more information, visit the Diesel website.

Inspired by Kathryn's experiences on Dark Shadows, Dark Passages is a vampire story with a twist, mixing the supernatural with backstage rumblings on a daytime soap opera. It's released in August and can be pre-ordered from Amazon by clicking here. To read an interview with Kathryn discussing the book, click here.

Incidentally, Time Magazine Online recently named Kathryn one of the "Top Nine Most Successful Ex-Playboy Bunnies". Kathryn was working at the famed New York club when she landed her job on Dark Shadows. To read more, click here.

New Movie Set Photos

The exterior set for the new Dark Shadows feature film is fast approaching completion, and here are some new images taken earlier this week, courtesy of Grigorisgirl on Flickr. To see more pictures of the construction, click here. Filming has been continuing this week at Pinewood Studios, with scriptwriter, Seth Grahame-Smith, visiting the set.

Meanwhile, IMDB has announced more of the movie's key crew. Susie Figgis is Dark Shadows' casting director, having previously worked with Tim Burton on Sleepy Hollow and Alice in Wonderland. John Bush is set decorator, with credits including Vera Drake and The English Patient. And finally, Eunice Huthart is the film's stunt co-ordinator, with past projects including Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and V For Vendetta.

News in Brief

• The Ghouls Go West, a music album from retro rockers The Moon Rays, is now available on download from Amazon, including the track Dark Shadows Exotique – a loungy cover version of Robert Cobert's theme tune. To buy online, click here.
• Jessica Chastain (2004 Carolyn) is to star in the new Brad Pitt film Tree of Life, due out in July. For an added Dark Shadows connection, it features Joanna Going (1991 Victoria Winters). Jessica will also appear in The Fields, which coincidentally stars the newly-cast incarnation of Carolyn Stoddard, Chloe Moretz. Small world, eh?
• Hermes Press' second hardback collection of classic Dark Shadows comic strips is now available. Dark Shadows: The Complete Collection – Volume Two can be ordered from Amazon at a discount price by clicking here.
• The Dark Shadows Festival have updated their website with registration information for August's celebration in New York City. Chris Pennock (Jeb Hawkes) joins the previously announced guest list. For more information, click here.

Movie Actor News

UK newspaper The Guardian has interviewed actress Eva Green to promote the UK launch of Camelot, with the conversation broadening to include her role as Angelique in the new Dark Shadows feature film.

Eva reveals that her costume for the character includes a "bone-crushing corset", adding "I'm like 'Oh my God, I have to lose weight!' Tonight, I'll eat salad, no wine, that's it," she sighs. And, perhaps channeling a little of Angelique already, she adds: "I feel like I'm 1,000. I don't feel I'm young enough a lot of the time." To read the full article, click here.

In other movie news, Chloe Moretz, who will play Carolyn Stoddard scooped two gongs at last night's MTV Movie Awards for her role in Kick-Ass. Chloe won for Best Breakout Star and Best Badass Star.

Picture of the Week: Grayson's Finest Hour?

Here's a picture of Grayson Hall (Dr. Julia Hoffman) in one of her most celebrated roles, as Judith Fellowes in the 1964 film The Night of the Iguana. The performance netted her both Oscar and Golden Globe nominations. Co-star Richard Burton apparently told Grayson: "You, love, are unique... When the camera is on you, the rest of us might as well not be there at all." Grayson's life and career is chronicled in R.J. Jamison's biography Grayson Hall: A Hard Act to Follow.

If you would like to submit an image for Picture of the Week, email webmaster@collinwood.net

Movie News Update

With the Dark Shadows movie now into its third week of filming, more news continues to emerge from the production. The Essex County Standard reports that the Karen Lynn, a 1940s shrimping boat which has been moored locally for 17 years at Mersea Island, was recently purchased for use in the film. To read the full story, click here.

Variety recently reported that Peter Doyle will be working as Dark Shadows' colorist, in conjunction with Technicolor. His other work includes the Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter series. David Taylor is the film's unit manager, with past credits on Law & Order: UK and Captain America: The First Avenger. Don Lanning joins the make-up department as a concept artist and sculptor, having previously worked on Nip/Tuck and the recent Star Trek reboot.