Dark Shadows Stars Face Dr. Mabuse

Three classic Dark Shadows actors have been reunited for the forthcoming independent film Dr. Mabuse, based on the classic character made famous in the films of Fritz Lang. Jerry Lacy (Reverend Trask) stars in the title role, with appearances from Kathryn Leigh Scott (Maggie Evans) and Lara Parker (Angelique).

"I've wanted to make a Dr. Mabuse film since I was 16 years old," says the film's writer and director, Ansel Faraj, who developed the project with the Dark Shadows cast in mind. "The whole time I was writing, I kept thinking 'Wouldn't Jerry Lacy be diabolical as Mabuse?', but I never thought I'd ever get him – it was just a pipe dream. The same thing happened with Madame Carrozza and Madame Von Harbau. As I was writing, I kept imagining Lara and Kathryn in the roles. Imagine my excitement when they all agreed to play these parts." 

Ansel has nothing but praise for his actors. "Jerry is unnerving as Mabuse – the way he uses his voice and his eyes... he's very threatening. Kathryn and Lara's characters are quite complex, but with just a glance or a gesture they convey so much. There's a lot more to them than meets the eye, and they both really nailed that. I think Dark Shadows fans are going to be excited to see Jerry, Kathryn, and Lara on screen together in these roles. It's been a great thrill to work on this movie with this cast."

We are pleased to share some exclusive backstage images of the Dark Shadows actors performing blue screen special effects shots. Shown are Jerry Lacy (Dr. Mabuse) and Lara Parker (Madame Carrozza); Kathryn Leigh Scott (Madame Von Harbau), Lara Parker and Nathan Wilson (Inspector Lohemann); And finally, Derek Mobraaten (Tom Smith) and Jerry Lacy. Click on the images for larger views. For more information about Dr. Mabuse, visit the production's official website. 

Images © Hollinsworth Productions

Dark Shadows News Bites

• NorthJersey.com recently profiled original Dark Shadows script writer Malcolm Marmorstein, who is still active and working on new projects at the age of 83. Malcolm discusses his time on the show and the introduction of Jonathan Frid as Barnabas Collins: "We started with different basic ground rules... I said, 'Jonathan, don't do anything – don't act, don't try to be scary. Just be a nice man, and that's the way you get your victims.'"
• Veteran artist Kenneth Bruce Bald, who drew the early 1970s Dark Shadows newspaper strip for its entire run, will be a guest at the Baltimore Comic-Con, taking place on September 8-9. For more information on the event, click here.
• The Dark Shadows Festival has announced that it is hoping to run a Dark Shadows cruise in 2013. The logistics are still being investigated and further details should follow when confirmed. Elsewhere, BroadwayWorld has published a gallery of images from the Festival's recent gathering in Tarrytown, which can be viewed by clicking here.
• And finally, a new collection of 1960s Dark Shadows comic books is released later this month. Dark Shadows: The Complete Original Series – Volume Four reprints over 200 pages of classic strips in hardcover with digitally-restored artwork and other content. To order the book at a discount price, click here.

Colleagues Pay Tribute To Richard D. Zanuck

Last week we reported the sad news that Richard D. Zanuck, the veteran producer who oversaw the recent Dark Shadows movie, died suddenly on Friday. Friends and colleagues across the industry have been quick to pay tribute, including those from Dark Shadows. Original series actress Kathryn Leigh Scott (Maggie Evans) shares a candid snapshot of Richard and Jonathan Frid (Barnabas Collins) taken at Pinewood Studios last summer, when she and Jonathan joined co-stars David Selby (Quentin Collins) and Lara Parker (Angelique) to film a cameo scene for the production.

"I am so sad to hear of Richard Zanuck's passing," Kathryn. "I've long admired him and the wonderful films he produced, but didn't meet him until Jonathan, David, Lara and I arrived at Pinewood to film our cameos for Dark Shadows. He was the first to greet us… and he was so warm and welcoming. We later exchanged a few emails regarding Return to Collinwood, and again he couldn't have been more gracious and encouraging. He responded immediately and his generous support made all the difference. He was so kind and caring, reaching out and including us in what would be the final film for both Mr. Frid and Mr. Zanuck."

"I'm in shock and heartbroken at the news of Richard Zanuck's passing," director Tim Burton said in a statement to The Hollywood Reporter. "He was like family to me – a mentor, friend and father figure. Richard was a completely unique and amazing individual and there will never be anyone else like him."

"Totally bummed about Richard Zanuck passing away," Jackie Earle Haley (Willie Loomis) said via Twitter. "I was lucky to hung out with him a bunch on the Dark Shadows set. He was a great guy." Screenwriter Seth Grahame-Smith posted: "I'm heartbroken, but so grateful that I got to know and work with Dick Zanuck. I loved him. I'll miss him dearly. Thoughts to his family."

Richard D. Zanuck: 1934-2012

The Los Angeles Times has reported that legendary film producer Richard D. Zanuck died of a heart attack earlier today. He was 77. His long career included numerous critical and commercial hits, including Jaws, The Road to Perdition and Driving Miss Daisy, for which he won an Oscar.

Over the past decade he enjoyed a particularly rewarding collaboration with director Tim Burton, which lasted through to the recent Dark Shadows feature film, his final completed project. Our condolences go out to Richard's family and friends.

Shadows Movies Blu-Ray Covers Revealed

Earlier this week, we reported that the two original Dark Shadows movies, House of Dark Shadows and Night of Dark Shadows are coming to DVD and Blu-Ray this October from Warner Home Entertainment. Here's an early look at the cover artwork, seen on a retail trade advertisement. Click on the image for a larger view.

Update: To pre-order both titles at discount prices, click on the hyperlinked titles: House of Dark Shadows DVD, House of Dark Shadows Blu-Ray, Night of Dark Shadows DVD, Night of Dark Shadows Blu-Ray.

October Release For Shadows Movies on Blu-Ray and DVD

Warner Home Video has announced that all three Dark Shadows feature films will be released this October in Blu-Ray and DVD format. First up, the recent Dark Shadows movie from Tim Burton reaches stores on October 2. The release is expected to include bonus content, though this has yet to be confirmed. 

October 30 sees the release of the two 1970s films produced with the original cast – House of Dark Shadows and Night of Dark Shadows – in both Blu-Ray and DVD format. It is not yet known if these titles will be available outside of the United States.

As we reported last year, it had been hoped that Night of Dark Shadows would be restored to its longer director's cut for this edition, but the studio has chosen to present the film as originally released in cinemas. Warners have confirmed that both classic movies will include a theatrical trailer as their sole bonus content. Look out for cover artwork and more information soon.

Update: To pre-order both titles at discount prices, click on the hyperlinked titles: House of Dark Shadows DVD, House of Dark Shadows Blu-Ray, Night of Dark Shadows DVD, Night of Dark Shadows Blu-Ray.

In other DVD news, the new edition of the Dark Shadows: The Complete Original Series box set is released tomorrow, collecting all 1,225 classic episodes in a coffin-shaped display case. To order it online at a discount price, click here.

Dark Shadows Takings Pass $225 Million

• Box Office Mojo reports that global takings for the new Dark Shadows movie passed the $225 million mark this weekend after seven weeks of box office rentals. To date, the film has taken $75.8 million in the United States, along with a further $151.6 million overseas. As of July 1, Dark Shadows' worldwide total stands at $227.4 million.
• The Canberra Times has interviewed Bella Heathcote (Victoria Winters) about filming Dark Shadows' ghostly special effects and her nervous first meeting with Johnny Depp: "He went to shake my hand and realised he was wearing prosthetic fingers, so he held out his elbow instead. It was so endearing and awkward and defused the whole situation."
• The Dark Shadows visual effects team is interviewed as part of an extensive article on website The Flickering Myth: "We are not a grandstanding effects film," explains supervisor Angus Bickerton. "That's one thing [director] Tim [Burton] tends to shy away from. Tim would rather you not know that there are any visual effects in the film at all... he wants it to feel like a film made in the 1970s. Tim has such a strong clear vision that’s not cluttered with a lot of fancy camerawork – that’s why he has a recognizable style." To read the full piece, click here.
• Elsewhere, CGSociety chats to Mark Breakspear of effects house Method Studios, who reveals how the town of Collinsport was created for the movie, with before-and-after video comparisons. To view the feature, click here.
• And finally, artist Alex Tuis has revealed some of his Dark Shadows concept artwork, featuring early make-up designs for the film's supernatural creatures. To view the gallery online, click here.

Movie Premiere Party Photographs

Last month the Dark Shadows Festival teamed up with Los Angeles' historic Vista Theatre to host a special fan party marking the premiere of the Tim Burton Dark Shadows movie. Nearly 500 fans joined guests from the original series to watch House of Dark Shadows and the new film on the big screen. Courtesy of our friends at the Vista, we are pleased to be able to share some photos from the event.

Shown are Lara Parker (Angelique), Kathryn Leigh Scott (Maggie Evans) and Nancy Barrett (Carolyn Stoddard); Nancy Barrett in conversation with original Dark Shadows scenic designer Sy Tomashoff; Lisa Richards (Sabrina Stuart) and Christopher Pennock (Jeb Hawkes) in high spirits signing autographs; And finally, Roger Davis (Jeff Clark) and other actors settling down to watch the film. Click on the images for larger views. 

Classic Shadows Round-Up

• Hulu has recently made 40 episodes of the original Dark Shadows available to view online, joining Netflix and Amazon Instant Video as official web-based outlets for viewing the show. The instalments begin with the arrival of Barnabas Collins and can be accessed by clicking here.
• The recent 39th Daytime Emmys paid tribute to departed Dark Shadows star Jonathan Frid (Barnabas Collins) as part of last Saturday's awards ceremony. Jonathan was included in the traditional In Memoriam montage, represented with a photograph from House of Dark Shadows.
•  David Selby (Quentin Collins) will appear in the west coast premiere of stage play Divine Rivalry, which runs from July 7-August 5 at San Diego's Old Globe Theatre. For more information and ticket prices, click here. David will also be lending his vocal talents to the new animated feature Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, which is due out in October.
• Dark Shadows featured once again on AMC's 1960s drama Mad Men, following a reference earlier this season. The show's season finale saw character Julia fired from her role on the soap opera after taping just three episodes. Dark Shadows is also featured on the show's accompanying 1960s Handbook blog, which can be read by clicking here.

New Dark Shadows Movie Portraits

Warner Bros. have released some unseen cast portraits from the Dark Shadows movie. Shown are Bella Heathcote as the ghost of Josette duPres; Johnny Depp as Barnabas Collins; director Tim Burton with Barnabas' umbrella; and Burton pictured with Helena Bonham Carter as Dr. Julia Hoffman. Click on the pictures for larger views.

 Images © Warner Bros. Entertainment Ltd.

Elizabeth Eis: 1943-2012

It was with sadness that we received news about the death of actress Elisabeth Eis, who passed away on January 6 at the age of 68. She had been suffering from Parkinson's disease. 

Elizabeth appeared in Dark Shadows throughout 1970 as Nelle Gunston, Buffie Harrington and Mildred Ward. It was as barmaid Buffie that she made her most memorable performances. Recorded at a time when many of the show's regular cast were absent filming the House of Dark Shadows movie, the reduced company gave Elizabeth a chance to shine. Her character's relationship with the maniacal John Yaeger was a high point of the parallel time sequence, and stands as one of Dark Shadows' most adult storylines.

Elsewhere, her credits included roles on Guiding Light and Mrs. Columbo, while on Broadway she appeared in Rosencrantz and Gildenstern are Dead. To read a tribute written by one of her classmates at Carnegie-Mellon, click here. Our condolences go out to all of Elizabeth's family and friends.

Dark Shadows Takings Reach $190 Million

The Dark Shadows movie has now been out for a month and the film's global takings have recently passed the $190 million mark. Box Office Mojo reports that, as of this weekend, the film has taken approximately $72.7 million within the US, with a further $120.5 million overseas.

While performance in the US has been respectable, if a little subdued, overseas Dark Shadows has enjoyed strong business in a number of territories. Key performers include the UK ($9.7 million), Australia ($9.4 million), Russia ($11.1 million), France ($14.2 million) and Japan ($18.6 million). The film should pass the $200 million mark this week, as a second wave of releases begins in South America. Elsewhere in the Dark Shadows world...

• The official making-of book for Dark Shadows has new release date, and will now reach stores on November 27. The Art of the Film is a lavish hardback, gathering unseen photographs and production artwork, and can be pre-ordered by clicking here.
• Website Dexigner goes behind the scenes of the opening titles for Dark Shadows, speaking to designer and frequent Tim Burton collaborator Richard Morrison: "We decided to keep things really simple and work with type to evoke the mood," he explains. "Together with the music score, we arrived at a very simple opening, but one that's quite unsettling, which captures the essence of the film."
• Rocker Alice Cooper is enjoying his new status as the ugliest woman ever encountered by Barnabas Collins. "As soon as Johnny Depp said that... it got a big laugh in the movie theatre," he tells MSN Entertainment. "I went, 'Boy, I just got stuck with a new one. That's gonna be the new catch line... We're going to get T-shirts made!"

Angelique Conquers The World!

Lara Parker's Dark Shadows novel Angelique's Descent has gone global, with the publication of six new international editions, which are available now. 

Shown below are covers for the French paperback, La Malediction D'Angelique (The Curse of Angelique) from Michel Lafon; A British e-book from Canvas Publishing; An Italian hardback, La Maledizione di Angelique (The Curse of Angelique) from Tre60; A Polish paperback, Mroczne Cienie: Narodziny Angelique (Gloomy Shadows: Birth of Angelique); A Brazilian paperback, Sombras da Noite: A Queda de Angelique (Shadows of the Night: The Fall of Angelique); And lastly, a Hungarian paperback, Angelique Hagyatéka (Angelique's Inheritance). Click on the images for larger views.

Wolf Moon Rising Synopsis Released

Tor Books have released a teaser synopsis for their new Dark Shadows original novel Wolf Moon Rising, which is written by Angelique actress Lara Parker. The book will be released in paperback this October:

When a portrait is lost that has maintained Quentin Collins’ youthful appearance for over a century – and has also kept his werewolf curse at bay – Quentin begins to dread the full moon.

Meanwhile, David, the sixteen-year-old heir to the Collins fortune, has fallen in love with Jacqueline, a young girl living at the Old House who is the reincarnation of Angelique. David and Jacqueline are swept back in time to the prohibition era of the Twenties, where David uncovers the dark secrets of the Collins family history.

Most threatening of all, Dr. Nathanial Blair, an expert in the paranormal, has come to Collinwood because he suspects they are harboring a vampire. Fortunately, Barnabas Collins has returned to his coffin after a disastrous flirtation with life as a human. Nevertheless, what Blair discovers places the entire Collins family in jeopardy. 

Wolf Moon Rising can be pre-ordered at a discount price by clicking here. To read our recent interview with Lara Parker about the book, click here.

New Dark Shadows Production Design Featurette

• Warner Bros have released a new video featurette for the Dark Shadows movie, this time exploring the film's production art, with contributions from director Tim Burton and production designer Rick Heinrichs. It can be viewed in the window above and eagle-eyed fans should look out for Brewster's department store and Braithwaite & Sons, as featured on the original Dark Shadows episodes.
• Danny Elfman's Dark Shadows: Original Score album entered the Starpulse album chart at number 35 for the period ending May 14, making it that week's highest-placed soundtrack release.
• Website VFX Snapshot go behind the scenes of visual effects house The Senate's work on Dark Shadows, which include the digital exterior of the Collinwood mansion, which fascinating before and after shots. To read the feature, click here.
• Meanwhile, FX Guide speaks to Dark Shadows visual effects supervisor Angus Bickerton, who discusses the film's retro-styled imagery and special effects work with more unseen images. To see more, click here.
• And finally, Dark Shadows screenwriter Seth Grahame Smith is interviewed by Harry Knowles of Ain't It Cool about vampires in movies. To view the chat online, click here.