Comic-Con Announces Classic Cast Movie Cameos

Friday's classic Dark Shadows panel at San Diego's Comic-Con revealed some exciting news for the upcoming Dark Shadows feature film, with the confirmation that four actors from the original series have filmed cameo appearances. Jonathan Frid (Barnabas Collins), Lara Parker (Angelique), David Selby (Quentin Collins) and Kathryn Leigh Scott (Maggie Evans) all recently flew to England and spent three days on set at Pinewood Studios.

At the panel, Lara and Kathryn were enthusiastic about the experience, revealing that actresses Helena Bonham Carter (Dr. Julia Hoffman) and Michelle Pfeiffer (Elizabeth Collins Stoddard) are hooked on watching the original episodes of the show on DVD. Speaking to the ShadowGram newsletter, Lara says: "We were treated like royalty... when Johnny [Depp] met Jonathan [Frid], he said, 'We wouldn't be here if not for you.'" ShadowGram has also confirmed that Danny Elfman's score for the film will include the original Dark Shadows theme tune by Robert Cobert.

At the same time, Jim Pierson (marketing director for Dan Curtis Productions and consulting producer on the new film) revealed that the original Dark Shadows movies, House of Dark Shadows and Night of Dark Shadows, are finally coming to DVD, following recent hints, and that Night of Dark Shadows will feature a full restoration of Dan Curtis' 129 minute director's cut.

Night of Dark Shadows was heavily edited for release and the original version was missing for many years, until archivist Darren Gross discovered the complete film elements in 1998. The recovered version lacks a full soundtrack, however, so several original actors have been enlisted in recent years to re-record lost dialogue. "While there are still T's to be crossed and I's to be dotted, it's looking very solid," says Darren. "I'm delighted that after all these years of work, it's looking like it will finally see the light of day. There's much work to be done yet, and I can't wait to get started."

Dark Shadows Movie Filming Continues

It's been a quiet week for news about the Dark Shadows movie, as principal photography reaches its tenth week. Following more work at the Collinwood exterior set in Surrey, the crew are now back filming at the production's Pinewood Studios base.

According to recent posts on Twitter from supporting artists and crew, in addition to night shooting earlier this week, work on crowd scenes took place earlier today. It's also been reported that actor Christopher Lee was on set yesterday, following recent rumours that he was set to appear in Dark Shadows.

Remember, to keep up with the latest news from the set on Twitter, be sure to follow the Dark Shadows News Page's feed, including daily trivia and site updates. Find out more by clicking here.

New Dark Shadows Comic Book Announced

Dynamic Comics have announced that they will be launching a monthly Dark Shadows comic book, featuring new stories following on from where the original show left off. Officially licensed by Dan Curtis Productions, the new series debuts in October, available online and from major comic stores. The scripts will be written by Dark Shadows News Page editor Stuart Manning, featuring interior artwork by Aaron Campbell and cover art by Campbell and acclaimed artist Francesco.

"I am so happy to work with someone of Stuart's expertise and calibre," says Dynamite Entertainment President and Publisher Nick Barrucci. "Aaron's fantastic work on Sherlock Holmes and Green Hornet: Year One and Francesco Francavilla's covers are truly a sight to behold!"

"We've really put together a great team," adds series editor Joe Rybandt. "Stuart is crafting a tale for fans old and new, and Aaron's incredible detail will find a perfect home with this title, capturing the mood and atmosphere of Dark Shadows perfectly. It's gonna be a truly Gothic affair." To read the full press release, posted on the Comic Book Resources website, click here.

News in Brief

• The Dark Shadows Companion has been re-released in audiobook format, making it available on CD for the first time. Featuring a history of the show on three discs, read by Kathryn Leigh Scott (Maggie), Lara Parker (Angelique), Roger Davis (Jeff) and Jonathan Frid (Barnabas), the set can be pre-ordered from Amazon by clicking here. Kathryn also recently sold the rights to her book The Bunny Years to the makers of NBC's new drama The Playboy Club; the show's writers will be using it as source material for future episodes. To tie in with the show's debut, a new edition of The Bunny Years hits stores in September and can be pre-ordered by clicking here.
• Nancy Barrett (Carolyn Stoddard) has been confirmed as a guest for next month's Dark Shadows Festival, taking place in New York City from August 19-21. For more information and registration details, visit the Festival's website.
• Kevin Williamson, creator of the CW's The Vampire Diaries, has acknowledged a creative debt in an interview with the Hollywood Reporter: "I always wanted to reboot Dark Shadows... That was the goal, to do a show like Dark Shadows. [The] Vampire Diaries is my version of that." To read more, click here.

Picture of the Week: Joan in Residence

Joan Bennett (Elizabeth Collins Stoddard) poses on the set for David's room at Collinwood in 1966. Speaking to St. Petersburg's Evening Independent in March 1972, she summed up the Dark Shadows experience: "The television show was fun, but it got to be monotonous... They [the writers] kept trying to think up scary ideas they hadn't thought of before. Finally, it was like the squeak went out of the toy."

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

New Audio Dramas For July

Big Finish Productions have unveiled covers and teaser synopses for July's Dark Shadows audio dramatic readings. The Poisoned Soul stars Nancy Barrett as Charity Trask and Roy Thinnes (1991 Roger Collins), while The Lost Girl stars Kathryn Leigh Scott as Josette

duPrés

alongside Rebecca Staab (1991 Daphne Collins). Both plays

can be ordered now on CD by clicking on the hyperlinked titles.

The Poisoned Soul

Evil haunts a school near Collinwood. A strange creature is attacking young girls, and the headmistress of Worthington Hall is forced to barricade her school against it. But Miss Charity Trask has problems of her own. She fears she's not in her right mind. She's seeing ghostly visions, and soon a strange spirit possesses her. Should she go against her every instinct and trust the voice in her head? Especially when it tells her that the poisoned soul is a lot closer than she realises...

The Lost Girl

Josette duPrés Collins gambled her soul, and lost it, in an ill-conceived bid to destroy her rival Angelique. Now the Dark Lord has sent his emissary to bring Josette to her place in Hell. Only a last-minute intervention can give her a final chance at redemption. But, as Josette struggles to win back her soul, she realizes that her guide's life, and soul, are inexorably intertwined with her own. And so, as the sands of time flow, Josette begins her final journey…

New Dark Shadows Movie Location Photos

The Dark Shadows movie crew are gearing up for more location filming at Bourne Woods, Surrey where, as previously reported, an exterior facade for the Collinwood mansion has been constructed. While Bourne Wood is a public park, we remind readers that the Dark Shadows area is closed off from the public and manned by on-set security. Courtesy of site reader Callum Hawkes, here are more photographs from the set, showing period cars lined up for the production, along with a crane rig.

Movie Update and New Set Photos

Site reader Callum Hawkes has sent in some new images of the Dark Shadows movie exterior set, located in Bourne Woods, Surrey. The facade, representing the Collinwood mansion, is currently being re-dressed ahead of further filming.

In other movie news, actress Chloe Moretz (Carolyn Stoddard) attended the London premiere of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part Two, where she spoke briefly about her Dark Shadows role: "I play Carolyn, Michelle Pfeiffer's daughter. It's great, it's been amazing. We've been shooting for two months now, it's going really well." To read more, click here.

Also, Vogue has interviewed fashion shoemaker Terry De Havilland, who reveals that is creating footwear for Dark Shadows: "I'm doing the shoes for Tim Burton's new film... designing for Michelle Pfeiffer and Helena Bonham Carter. Every time I see a gorgeous woman I just want to put a pair of shoes on her."

And finally, Johnny Depp may be set to revive another Dan Curtis Production, with Deadline reporting that his production company Infinitum Nihil has purchased the rights to The Night Stalker. Dark Shadows creator Dan Curtis brought the grizzled reporter Kolchak to television screens for two top-rated TV movies during the 1970s.

Paul Michael: 1926-2011

It was with sadness that we learned of the death of actor Paul Michael this weekend, who had a memorable stint on Dark Shadows as the vengeful gypsy king Johnny Romano in 1969. Paul died peacefully at his home in Woodland Hills, California on July 8 aged 84.

Born in Providence, Rhode Island, he began his career as an opera singer, graduating to roles in several Broadway musicals, including Zorba and Man of La Mancha. His television work included appearances on General Hospital, Hill Street Blues and Frasier. In addition to a brief part in House of Dark Shadows, he was also seen in the films Masque of the Red Death and Pennies From Heaven.

For more than 23 years, Paul was the partner of Happy Days actress Marion Ross, with the couple acting together onstage up until last year. He is survived by two sons. To read a tribute by Ross' son Jim, click here.

Christopher Lee For Dark Shadows Movie?

Another frequent Tim Burton collaborator looks set to appear in the forthcoming Dark Shadows feature film, with news that veteran British actor Christopher Lee has joined the cast. According to a recent posting by the administrator of Lee's official website: "He is working on the movie for sure. As for his role, I do not know."

Christopher Lee's long career includes numerous iconic roles, including Frankenstein and Dracula for the Hammer horror movies, plus appearances in The Lord of the Rings trilogy and George Lucas' Star Wars prequels. In recent years, he has worked on several projects for Tim Burton, including Sleepy Hollow and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Back in February, Burton presented him with British Academy of Film and Television Arts fellowship.

Picture of the Week: Steamy Shadows

David Selby (Quentin Collins) and Lara Parker (Angelique) get intimate in this deleted dream sequence from the 1971 feature film Night of Dark Shadows. "The ghost make-up was a kind of pearl white that had to be applied in stages, then powdered and rested," Lara revealed back in 1997. "I wasn't even supposed to move my face, because it would crack. I was meant to have a bigger part than I did... as it turned out, the part of the ghost was a very small one, even though it was quite flashy."

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

Classic Dark Shadows Panel For Comic-Con

Publisher Hermes Press is to host a special Dark Shadows panel at this year's San Diego Comic-Con, which takes place from July 21-24. The discussion is scheduled for Friday 22nd from 6.00-7.00pm in Room 4.

In attendance will be original series actresses Kathryn Leigh Scott (Maggie) and Lara Parker (Angelique), joined by Jim Pierson (marketing director for Dan Curtis Productions and creative consultant on the new Dark Shadows feature film). Kathryn and Lara will be signing merchandise at the Hermes Press booth on Friday from 1.00-6.00pm, with Kathryn also appearing on Saturday 23rd from 1.00-4.00pm. For more information, visit the official Comic-Con website.

Hermes Press has also unveiled final cover artwork for their upcoming reprint of the classic Dark Shadows Story Digest, which can be seen right. The book is set to debut at the event, and can also be pre-orded from Amazon at a discount price by clicking here.

Classic Dark Shadows Movie Locations

Site reader Kenneth Tomasi paid a trip to some of the locations featured in the feature film House of Dark Shadows earlier this year, and has sent in some photos of the sites as they look today, more than 40 years later. With a shoestring budget, director Dan Curtis relied entirely on existing locations for Dark Shadows' first big screen outing, rather than building studio sets. The Lyndhurst estate, a National Trust property in Tarrytown, New York served as the new version of Collinwood, with additional filming taking place in Connecticut.

Overlooking the Hudson river, Tarrytown's historic Lyndhurst estate and its grounds are open to the public all year round. For more information, visit the official Lyndhurst website.

The stables at Lyndhurst also featured in the film, having previously appeared in the early episodes of Dark Shadows as the Collinwood garages and caretaker's cottage. This archway is seen during the scene where Daphne Budd is attacked by Barnabas.

The Lyndhurst offices, also located on the grounds, were used as the cottage where novelists Claire and Alex Jenkins lived in Night of Dark Shadows.

The swimming pool at Lyndhurst was also seen in both films, most memorably in the sequence where Carolyn appears to David from beyond the grave in House of Dark Shadows.

The nearby Sleepy Hollow Cemetery was the site of the very first filming for the movie, doubling as the Eagle Hill Cemetery. This tomb was used for the Collins mausoleum, with the Collins family name added above the entrance.

The Three Bears restaurant in Westport, Connecticut, was the location for the Collinsport Inn. The diner remained in business until 2008, re-opening briefly under new management as Tiburon in 2009.

Also located in Connecticut, in nearby Norwalk, is the Lockwood-Mathews Mansion, which served as the backdrop for House of Dark Shadows' finale. With its interiors redressed heavily, it became the abandoned monastery on St. Eustace's island where Barnabas fled with the kidnapped Maggie Evans. For more information on the property, which is open to the public, visit its official website.

House of Dark Shadows is available as a digital download from Amazon.

Alice Cooper Confirms Dark Shadows Cameo

Rock star Alice Cooper has confirmed that he will be making a cameo appearance in the new Dark Shadows feature film, following widespread rumours over the past week. Appearing on BBC One chat show Lee Mack's All Star Cast (incidentally also filmed at Pinewood Studios), Cooper revealed that his part was set to go before the cameras on Friday July 1.

"It's called Dark Shadows... You didn't get this over here [in the UK] – this was like Coronation Street with vampires. And somehow it was a hit. Tim Burton saw this and said somehow we have to recreate this." Asked what role he would playing, Cooper said: "I don't know. I really don't know... We're shooting it Friday. I guess they should have told me by then."

Picture of the Week: Stuck on You

Here's a behind the scenes shot from 1968, featuring Jonathan Frid being made up by Vincent Loscalzo at the Dark Shadows studio. Barnabas' distinctive bangs were actually glued down with spirit gum, ensuring that the vampire's hairdo could withstand any supernatural assault. "The minute his make-up goes on, mentally he becomes Barnabas," Vincent told Flip magazine in 1969. "Jonathan really believes in the character he portrays."

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