The Dark Shadows Almanac: Millennium Edition

by David Selby

  It was during this search that the copies of two other syndicated episodes were upgraded for home video. A Spanish videotape copy was found of Episode 289, which had been rerun only in kinescope form. The English kinescope audio was merged with the Spanish video for a greatly enhanced picture.

  Also, a color videotape master was found for Episode 367, which had previously been rerun in kinescope form.

  Short descriptions of the formerly missing episodes follow:

  EPISODE 289

  Outside the Old House, Dr. Julia Hoffman spies on Barnabas Collins and sneaks into the basement after sunrise. She discovers Barnabas in his coffin.

  EPISODE 367

  In 1795, Victoria Winters is menaced by Abigail Collins, meets Jeremiah Collins and is interviewed by Joshua Collins to become the new governess.

  EPISODE 509

  Sam Evans befriends Adam, but Adam runs away when Professor Stokes arrives at Sam’s cottage. Stokes questions Victoria about her experiences in 1795.

  EPISODE 683

  The ghost of Beth Chavez appears to Chris Jennings and leads him to discover a child’s coffin which he and Barnabas Collins dig up.

  EPISODE 797

  Quentin Collins, Barnabas, and Magda hold a seance to contact Julianka’s spirit, hoping to find a way to remove the werewolf curse from Quentin.

  EPISODE 801/802

  Victor Fenn-Gibbon admits that he is Count Petofi. Quentin learns that Tim Shaw has Petofi’s severed hand. Jamison Collins is possessed by Petofi.

  EPISODE 805

  Barnabas locks up the possessed Jamison in an Old House basement cell. Gregory Trask informs Evan Hanley of his plan to take control of the Collins family.

  EPISODE 813

  Still possessed by Petofi, Jamison forces Nora Collins to give him the box she’s been hiding which contains the magical severed hand of Petofi’s.

  THE LOST EPISODE

  The final year of Dark Shadows, 1970-71, had not been seen anywhere in over twenty years when MPI began issuing those episodes on home video in 1992- 1993. While the videotapes were being duplicated for the MPI releases, it was learned that the master for Episode 1219 was missing. The episode had originally aired on February 25, 1971. Inside the storage case for that show was an unmarked reel of blank videotape from the ABC-TV library.

  Although videotape masters for other Dark Shadows had been lost over the years, there had always been filmed kinescope copies to replace them. Unfortunately, this was not possible with Episode 1219, because this episode originated after ABC-TV had ceased making kinescopes in the fall of 1970.

  Realizing that a lost episode would be traumatic for the fans, MPI decided to reconstruct Episode 1219 by using an audio recording and enlisting the services of Dark Shadows actress Lara Parker (Catherine Harridge).

  A reasonably clear audio copy of the lost show was provided by long-time Dark Shadows fan Wendy “Josette” Kemaghan. The opening voiceover, originally read by Keith Prentice (Morgan Collins), was incomplete on the audio tape, so it was rerecorded by Lara Parker.

  MPI added to the audio by editing together still-frame pictures of the characters from surrounding episodes. Each actor was depicted in the correct setting and with the correct wardrobe. In addition, Lara Parker summarized the episode with wrap-around host segments prior to each act.

  Footage from the closing scene of Episode 1218 and footage from the opening scene of Episode 1220 was also utilized in the Episode 1219 reconstruction as seen on the original broadcast of Episode 1219.

  An abridged version of the reconstructed lost episode has been shown on the Sci-Fi Channel, consisting only of Lara Parker’s host segments. The complete audio of Episode 1219 and the full still-frame assembly is only available on MPI Home Video Dark Shadows Volume 195.

  A BRIEF SUMMARY FOR LOST EPISODE 1219 FOLLOWS.

  Carrie Stokes admits to Daphne Harridge that she has seen a vision of Daphne’s grave. Bramwell Collins announces that he and Daphne have been married. Carrie brings Morgan Collins an old letter addressed to James Forsythe. A supernatural occurance causes the lights to go out and the letter goes up in flames. Catherine Harridge secretly reveals to Bramwell that she is pregnant with his child.

  A publicity photograph of Humbert Allen Astredo, as Nicholas Blair, with an experimental make-up beard never actually seen on the show.

  The Episodes That Never Here

  The following four preliminary scripts from 1968 were never produced. However, some of the material was utilized in actual produced episodes from this period. Note that Chris and Amy Jennings are referred to by their originally intended names of Bob and Molly.

  SUMMARY OF PRELIMINARY SCRIPT FOR EPISODE 628

  Cast: Eve, Angélique, Jeff, Adam

  Sets: Jeff’s Room, Angélique’s Crypt, Blair House

  Writer: Gordon Russell

  Voiceover: “The truth about a young man’s past hangs like a shroud over the great house at Collinwood. What had promised to be a bright and happy future for two young people is now nothing. The strange woman in this latest tragedy believes she will now finish what she has started. What she does not know is that her own destruction is being planned by someone else.”

  Teaser: Angélique rises, uses the mirror and sees Eve getting ready to go out. Adam forbids her to leave Blair House. When this doesn’t stop her, he threatens her.

  Act One: Continuation. When Eve realizes Adam meant what he’s saying, she changes strategy and cons him into believing that her love for him is finally beginning to show through. He is so happy about this that he agrees to let her go out for awhile. Angélique has watched it all and wears a smile of deep satisfaction. She couldn’t have engineered the thing better herself.

  ActTwo: Eve arrives at Jeff’s room. The mere sight of her angers him. She knows she’s ended it between Jeff and Vicki and says he might as well become resigned to it himself. She becomes puzzled and angry when he says he should be grateful to her for showing him the truth and keeping Vicki from making the greatest mistake of her life.

  Jeff gradually realizes that he is not in his own time, that he does not really exist in this time. He has no fear. Since he won’t be here long, no rules need apply. He realize he is capable of killing. He begins to strangle Eve.

  ActThree: Continuous action. There is little question but that Jeff has gone momentarily insane. He maintains the tight grip on Eve’s throat. He is unmoved by the terror in her eyes. She has struggled as long as she could find the strength. Now her arms have fallen to her sides. Her life is slipping away fast. There is a terribly pathetic look on her face. Then tears comes to her eyes. And it is the sight of these that causes something to snap in Jeff. He feels a sudden surge of pity for her, and then a glint of recognition comes into his eyes and he realizes what it is he’s doing. With a lightning swift movement, he pulls his hands away from her throat, and Eve gasps hungrily for the life that is still hers.

  Adam is alone and for once has a look of contentment about him. He is startled and frightened when Angélique suddenly materializes in the room. Adam warns her she shouldn’t be there. If Nicholas catches her she’s dead. Angélique knows that Nicholas is occupied with Maggie. She wants to talk about Eve. Does Adam have any idea where Eve is at this moment? Adam tells her where he thinks Eve is, and Angélique jars him by saying where she really is. Adam doesn’t believe her. Angélique says it will be easy enough to prove. She’ll take him there and show him.

  Jeff is still trying to get rid of Eve. He tells her there isn’t a chance for the two of them, because he’s leaving Collinsport for good. Eve begs him to take her with him. Jeff isn’t in the least interested. We pan to the window of Jeff’s room and see the faces of Angélique and Adam.

  SUMMARY OF PRELIMINARY SCRIPT FOR EPISODE 629

  (Partially used in produced Episode 627)

  Cast: Joe, Angélique, Adam, Julia, Bob Jennings, Nurse (U/5)

  Sets: Joe’s Hospital Room, Hospital Waiting Room, Limbo Woods,

  Ext.
Window Area of Jeff’s Room

  Writer: Gordon Russell

  Voiceover: “The aura of tranquility that surrounds the great house at Collinwood this night is in contrast to what is happening not far away. On the outskirts of Collinsport, outside the window of a rooming house, a woman bent on liberating herself from a supernatural state has taken the first step of a dangerous and evil plan—a plan which could bring death to all who become involved in it.”

  Teaser: Adam tells Angélique she was right. He’s in such a rage he’s ready to go inside Jeff’s room and kill him on the spot.

  Act One: Continuation. Angélique talks him out of it, then proceeds on the next step of her strategy—to poison his mind against Nicholas. She tells Eve’s history and why Nicholas chose her. She says Adam will never escape from Nicholas unless he sides with her. Adam is clearly confused and scared. He doesn’t know what to do. To add to his dilemma he notices Angélique staring at his neck. She is aware that the lust is upon her, and she knows she can’t at this point victimize Adam. She tells him to think over what she’s said and meet her here in the woods later tonight.

  Hospital room. Joe is in bed. A nurse comes in to collect an empty tray, then leaves. The door opens and a man walks in. Joe looks horror stricken, believing the man is Tom Jennings.

  Act Two: The nurse comes running in in response to Joe’s anguished cries. The man, Bob Jennings, is mystified by Joe’s reaction. He and the nurse finally calm Joe. The man, of course, is Tom’s brother, and he says he has come to Collinsport to investigate the circumstances of Tom’s death. He questions Joe, who turns out not to be very cooperative. At one point Joe hears the fluttering of wings outside the window and becomes terrified. Bob looks out the window and assures him it was only a bird. Bob asks Joe about Molly, and Joe tells him she is in Windcliff Sanitarium. Julia enters the room, takes one look at Jennings and screams. Jennings is further mystified. Julia recovers and asks Jennings to wait outside while she examines Joe. Before she leaves, Joe asks her to open the window.

  Waiting room. Jennings asks Julia why she screamed when she saw him. She can’t tell him the real reason. She responds by questioning him—why he’s here, where he come from, etc. As he answers her questions, she finds something strangely disturbing about him, something she’s unable to put her finger on. Angélique materializes in Joe’s room.

  Act Three: Joe sees her. She warns him not to scream. He asks why him, why didn’t she go to someone else. She tells him she needed him, not someone else. She zaps him.

  Julia says goodbye to Jennings, goes into Joe’s room, discovers fresh wounds on his neck.

  Angélique and Adam meet again in the woods. He’s made his decision and will go along with her. What must be done? First, says Angélique, Eve must be destroyed.

  SUMMARY OF PRELIMINARY SCRIPT FOR EPISODE 630

  Cast: .Elizabeth Collins Stoddard, Angélique, Jeff Clark,

  Nicholas, Adam, Eve

  Sets: Limbo woods, Jeff’s Room, Blair House, Eve’s Room

  Writer: Ron Sproat

  Voiceover: “In the dense, dark forest, not far from the great estate of Collinwood, the eerie light of a watchful moon slices down among the trees. It reveals the figure of a beautiful but unearthly woman, to whom the night alone can give protection—and even life. She waits now for one whose mind she must win, so she may instruct him in the ways of evil. If she prevails,this lonely night must end in death!”

  Teaser: Recap of #629. Angélique tells Adam that Eve must be destroyed.

  Act One: Adam argues with Angélique, who tries to further shake his faith in both Eve and Nicholas. Adam is confused, noncommittal.

  Adam returns to Blair House where Nicholas senses Adam is worried about something. Adam refuses to explain his nervousness to Nicholas. Nicholas then berates Eve for not keeping Adam happy.

  Act Two: Liz comes to Jeff’s room to return Vicki’s engagement ring. She is cold at first but warms to him as she senses he still loves Vicki.

  Nicholas receives a call from Maggie and agrees to drive her to Bangor. He instructs Adam to keep the house in order. Adam tells him that Eve has again left the house.

  Eve comes to visit Jeff Clark and discovers he is planning to leave. He refuses to tell her where he is going. Not able to get rid of her, he leaves her in his room while he goes to the cannery to pick up some belongings. Eve discovers his bus schedule and finds out when Jeff will be leaving.

  Act Three: Eve comes back to Blair House just after Nicholas has left. She too begins to pack. Adam tries to stop her. Enraged, she goes to Adam with a pair of scissors. Adam stops her in time and strangles her to death.

  Jeff, returning to his room, discovers the corpse of Eve.

  SUMMARY OF PRELIMINARY SCRIPT FOR EPISODE 631

  (Partially used in produced episode 627)

  Cast: Jeff, Eve, Angélique, Adam, Sheriff

  Sets: Jeff’s Room, Angélique’s Crypt

  Writer: Ron Sproat

  Voiceover: “Rhe night covers Collinsport in a darkness of seeming peace. But beneath that cover of darkness, the night has brought terror. One who would escape this terror returns for what he believes will be the last time to his room in a small boarding house ... He does not know that the only true escape—death—waits to make him her prisoner. Nor does he know that before this horrifying night will end, the elements themselves will clash ... And the fire of the greatest evil of all will flare. ”

  Teaser: Jeff returns to his room and finds Eve there—dead!

  Act One: Continuation. Jeff is panicked. He considers leaving as he had planned, but reconsiders and calls the sheriff.

  Adam comes to Angélique’s crypt. He tells her that he has killed Eve. Angélique is pleased at this but is horrified to hear that Adam, to get back at Jeff, has placed the corpse in his room. Angélique continues to poison Adam’s mind against Nicholas. They can’t kill him, she says, but they can ruin every plan he has.

  ActTwo: In a voiceover, Jeff considers what he can tell the sheriff. He finally decides he will have to tell as much of the truth as he can. The sheriff arrives, examines the body, and questions Jeff. Jeff’s story succeeds only in making the sheriff more and more suspicious, and his questions come faster and faster. By the end, he is just about convinced Jeff is the murderer.

  Act Three: Continuation. The sheriff informs Jeff that there will be more questions. He forbids Jeff to leave town. Jeff is to consider himself arraigned. The sheriff says he will take Jeff down to the station to book him. They leave.

  In Angélique’s crypt, Adam broods about his present and future loneliness. Angélique urges him to return to Blair House and act as if nothing had happened: leave things to her. Adam leaves. Angélique then incants, summoning her master, with the intention of getting him to get rid of Nicholas. At the end of her incantation, there is thunder and lightning, and flames burst forth from her coffin.

  INTERNATIONAL SHADOWS

  When the original Dark Shadows daytime series was produced, network soap operas did not yet commonly air in Europe or other foreign counties. However, the series was eventually seen in the following areas outside of the United States—many of which aired the Spanish dubbed version.

  The title of the series in Spanish, announced during the main title opening music, is Sombres Tenebrosas. With Dark Shadows’ phenomenal success in Latin America, Jonathan Frid made two promotional tours to Mexico in the 1970s to promote the Spanish-dubbed reruns. He even lived in Mexico for a time in the mid-1970s.

  Argentina

  Australia

  Barbados

  Brazil

  Chile

  Columbia

  Costa Rica

  Curacao

  Dominican Republic

  Eduador

  El Salvador

  Guatemala

  Honduras

  Jamaica

  Mexico

  Nicaragua

  Panama

  Paraguay

  Puerto Rico

  Suri
name

  Thailand

  Trinidad

  Tobago

  Uruguay

  Venezuela

  Shadows Oher Britain

  by Stuart Manning

  The road that brought Dark Shadows to British television proved to be a long and winding one, which in many ways brought the show full circle, some of its earliest music recordings having been made in London. Until 1995, Britain had never received the show, although it was submitted to the BBC in the 1970s for consideration. That did not stop it reaching its shores in a number of other forms.