Monday, September 24, 2012

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.









Thursday, September 20, 2012

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.
 

Saturday, September 15, 2012

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:

Saturday, September 8, 2012

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.

Monday, September 3, 2012

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.

Monday, August 27, 2012

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."

Sunday, August 26, 2012

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.

Friday, August 24, 2012

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.

Thursday, August 9, 2012

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.


Wednesday, August 8, 2012

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

Tuesday, August 7, 2012

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.

Monday, July 16, 2012

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."

Friday, July 13, 2012

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.

Wednesday, July 11, 2012

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.

Monday, July 9, 2012

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.