Win The Dark Shadows Movie On Blu-Ray!

The Dark Shadows movie is out on Blu-Ray and DVD in the United Kingdom today, and Warner Bros UK have released some special online content to mark the release, which can be viewed in the panel below. Courtesy of Warner, we have a copy of Dark Shadows on Blu-Ray to give away to one lucky reader. For your chance to win, just answer the following question:

What is the name of the rival cannery business Angelique runs in the film?

Send your answer with your name and postal address to webmaster@collinwood.net by October 28. This prize draw is open to UK residents only.

UK readers can order Dark Shadows on Blu-Ray by clicking here and on DVD by clicking here.

Angelique on Exhibit

As we reported yesterday, the Lyndhurst Estate in Tarrytown, New York is running a month of special Dark Shadows-themed tours. The historic property was used as a location in both 1970s Dark Shadows feature films. Actress Lara Parker (Angelique) has made a very special donation for the event, and has given the estate a full-size replica of her portrait from Night of Dark Shadows. 

Lara received the canvas as a gift after filming wrapped in 1971 and still has it after 40 years. The portrait can be seen at Lyndhurst throughout October, along with other Dark Shadows exhibits. For tour details, visit Lyndhurst's official website.

Both original Dark Shadows movies will be released on Blu-Ray and DVD for the first time later this month. For more information and to order online, click here.

October Events

• The Lyndhurst estate in Tarrytown, New York (Collinwood in the 1970s Dark Shadows spin-off movies) is hosting some special events this month. Lyndhurst After Dark is a series of nighttime tours with a Dark Shadows theme, raising vital funds for the upkeep of the house. In addition to special exhibits and atmospheric live music, actors Sharon Smyth (Sarah Collins) and Jim Fyfe (1991 Willie Loomis) will be appearing as guests on October 20 and October 27 respectively. For more information, click here.
• Newport, Rhode Island's Seaview Terrace, the original exterior location of Collinwood, is to host a special ballet version of Bram Stoker's Dracula, taking place from October 17-21. For more information and to reserve tickets online, click here.
• Actress Marie Wallace (Eve) is appearing on stage throughout October in The Last Romance. The production runs from October 18 to November 11 at the Seven Angels Theatre in Waterbury, Connecticut. The will also be a cast party on October 20. For more information and to book tickets online, click here.
• And finally, the Lockwood-Mathews Mansion, the Norwalk, Connecticut property which featured in the finale of House of Dark Shadows, is holding a Halloween Party on October 27, featuring spooky decor and music. Places are limited and ticket information can be found by clicking here.

John August Discusses Unused Shadows Script

Screenwriter John August has spoken for the first time about his unused Dark Shadows screenplay. August wrote the first draft of the film's script, before the assignment was taken over by Seth Grahame Smith. "It was before Twilight had come out and before True Blood," he tells ShockTilYouDrop. 

"They said, 'Let's make a big gothic, vampire drama.' I pitched that and I wrote a Godfather-like saga of the Collins family and Barnabas was at the centre of it all... but it played itself straight." Citing delays in production and the current proliferation of vampires in films for the change in direction, he concludes: "I think it's one of the best scripts I've written. But I totally get why, at the time they went off to make it, they didn't make that version."

Meanwhile, the Dark Shadows movie has just been released on DVD and Blu-Ray and is performing strongly in the US marketplace. PhillyBurbs reports that the film is currently the number one film home rental and number two retail title, behind The Avengers. Dark Shadows can be ordered on DVD by clicking here and special edition Blu-Ray by clicking here.

Dark Shadows Movie Deleted Scenes

Warner Bros. have released a selection of unseen deleted scenes from the recent Tim Burton Dark Shadows movie, ahead of its home video release next week. These segments will be included on the special edition Blu-Ray, along with a selection of behind-the-scenes featurettes and other bonus content.

The scenes can be viewed in the windows below. Dark Shadows can be pre-ordered on Blu-Ray at a discount price by clicking here and on DVD by clicking here.

Look Inside The Dark Shadows Movie Crew Book

Recently I was lucky enough to obtain a copy of the Dark Shadows movie cast and crew book. This hefty 200-page limited edition hardback was produced as a gift to people who worked on the film and was never made available to buy.

Only 1,000 copies were produced and mine is number number 398. It's a beautiful collection of of unseen backstage photography, with comments from cast and crew, including director Tim Burton and the big screen's Barnabas Collins, Johnny Depp.

Seen below are some glimpses from inside the book, including a wry little nod to this very blog. Click on the thumbnails for larger images. Don't forget, the Dark Shadows movie comes to Blu-Ray and DVD on October 2 and is available to buy now in Instant Video download format by clicking here.

 

Lara and Kathryn Hit Atlanta

As we recently reported, Dark Shadows actresses Kathryn Leigh Scott (Maggie Evans) and Lara Parker (Angelique) have been visiting Atlanta, Georgia this week to meet fans of the show. Lara and Kathryn took time out to discuss the show on NBC-11 Atlanta, video of which can be viewed below:

Dark Shadows Merchandise Updates

Angelique actress Lara Parker's Dark Shadows novel The Salem Branch has just been published in a new French translation by Michel Lafon. This follows on from the various international editions of Lara's first novel, Angelique's Descent, that were released earlier in the year. The French version has been retitled Reminiscences and the cover artwork can be seen right. To order the book online, click here. 

In other Dark Shadows publishing news, Big Finish Productions have confirmed some upcoming audio dramas on CD. Speak No Evil has just been released, with The Last Stop with Jerry Lacy (Tony Peterson) out later in September, Dreaming of the Water with Christopher Pennock (Sebastian Shaw) and Kathryn Leigh Scott (Maggie Evans) in October, with The Haunted Refrain following in November and A Collinwood Christmas in December. To order online, click on the hyperlinked titles.

Picture of the Week: Miss Emmy 1962

After a brief hiatus, Picture of the Week is back with a May 1962 shot of Diana Millay (Laura Collins) posing for Emmy Award publicity with Bob Newhart, in her official capacity as that year's Miss Emmy. 

Chosen to represent the awards on behalf of the Los Angeles Chapter of the Television Academy, Diana was duly dispatched with a photographer to seek out a backstage scoop. "Being a methodical, if not a method actress, Diana researched the Emmy statuette in the process of its manufacture," reported The Miami News, concluding that: "There's no doubt that the creation of the five-pound 'Golden Girl' never had a prettier observer."

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

Dark Shadows Movie Takings Pass $235 Million

• As it approaches the end of its initial cinema run, the Dark Shadows movie has grossed over $79 million within the United States. Box Office Mojo reports that domestic grosses for the film stand at approximately $79.7 million, with an additional $156.8 million from overseas territories, making a total of $236.5 million worldwide. As we reported previously, the film comes to DVD and Blu-Ray in October.
• The upcoming behind-the-scenes book for the Dark Shadows movie has been brought forward in the schedules and will now be released on October 26. Re-titled Dark Shadows: The Visual Companion, the final cover design is shown above. Featuring contributions from Johnny Depp, director Tim Burton and late producer Richard D. Zanuck, The Visual Companion can be pre-ordered at a discount price by clicking here. UK readers can also order the book from Amazon.co.uk by clicking here.
• Joel Harlow Designs have released a selection of concept images from Dark Shadows, showing early prosthetic make-up designs for Chloe Grace Moretz as Carolyn Stoddard, along with other unused ideas. To view the gallery online, click here.
• And finally, website Retail Jeweller has interviewed Stephen Einhorn about his work on Dark Shadows, which included Johnny Depp's Barnabas ring and Angelique's key pendant. "I had to make two different sized rings for Johnny," says Stephen. "Tim Burton and Johnny Depp liked the ring so much they wanted it to be worn throughout the film, one for his extended finger and one to wear over his gloves."

New Dark Shadows Costume Accessories

Costume company Elope have announced two new additions for their range of licensed Dark Shadows items. Following last year's Barnabas Collins cape, wig and ring, the company have confirmed that they are expanding their catalogue with a set of Barnabas fangs and a reproduction of the character's distinctive walking cane.

The Barnabas Collins fangs are out now and can be ordered online by clicking here. The walking cane, which will be made from wood with a metal alloy handle, is due out in January, with a suggested retail price of $32.95. It can be pre-ordered now by clicking here.

Actor Appearances

• Lisa Richards (Sabrina Stuart) is currently appearing in the play To Quiet The Quiet, which runs at Santa Monica's Elephant Stages until September 1. "Richards' multi-layered sojourn within the fractured psyche of life-rejected Kathy offers a tangible personification of a living tragedy," praises critic Julio Martinez of the Pacifica Radio Network. For more information and to purchase tickets, click here.
• David Selby (Quentin Collins) is to appear at New York's Paley Center for a premiere screening of Batman: The Dark Knight Returns. David voices Commissioner Gordon in the new animated feature. The event takes place on September 20 and more information can be found by clicking here.
• And finally, Lara Parker (Angelique) and Kathryn Leigh Scott (Maggie Evans) will be appearing in Atlanta at the Buckhead Barnes & Noble store on September 13 from 7.00pm to sign Dark Shadows books and meet fans. For more information, contact the store directly on (404) 261 7747.

Dark Shadows Movie Comes To Blu-Ray and DVD

The recent Dark Shadows movie from Tim Burton has been announced for home video release on October 2, just in time for Halloween, available on DVD and special edition Blu-Ray. Warner Bros. have confirmed the following bonus features for the Blu-Ray version:

• Becoming Barnabas Johnny Depp discusses his re-imagining of this iconic character.
• Welcome to Collinsport! Explore the detailed fishing village created for the film at Pinewood Studios.
• A Melee of Monstrous Proportions behind the scenes of the film's ambitious closing battle sequence.
• Angelique: A Witch Scorned Johnny Depp and Eva Green discuss their characters and the century-spanning passions that bind them.
• Reliving a Decade Strut through the Collinsport of the 1970s and discover the topsy-turvy world that Barnabas finds himself in.
• Dark Shadowy Secrets Behind the scenes with Tim Burton’s spectacular props and special effects wizards.
• The Collinses: Every Family Has Its Demons Explore the film's quirky characters, with Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter and the rest of the cast.
• Cooper Rocks Collinsport! Shock rock the night away with Alice Cooper, as Johnny Depp and the cast invite him to Collinwood.
• Vampires, Witches and Werewolves, Oh My! Tim Burton reveals how he adapted some of his favourite classic movie monsters for Dark Shadows.
• Deleted Scenes Dr. Hoffman and Elizabeth discuss Barnabas; David and Barnabas discuss dinosaurs; Carolyn and Victoria – Girl talk; The police warn Willie and Barnabas; Dr. Hoffman offers Victoria help.

The only additional content on the DVD edition will be The Collinses: Every Family Has Its Demons featurette. To pre-order Dark Shadows on Blu-Ray at a discount price, click here; To pre-order on DVD, click here. Shown below is cover artwork for both editions. Click on the thumbnails for a larger view.

Warner has also released high resolution cover artwork for the classic Dark Shadows movies House of Dark Shadows and Night of Dark Shadows, which as we recently reported, will come to BluRay and DVD in October. To pre-order House of Dark Shadows on Blu-Ray, click here; To order on DVD, click here. To pre-order Night of Dark Shadows on Blu-Ray, click here; To order on DVD, click here.

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.