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| John Karlen and Jonathan Frid |
Both the 25th and 30th Dark Shadows anniversary specials are available on DVD, but they are strictly for DS fanatics. The specials consist of footage shot at the question and answer segments at Dark Shadows conventions, along with many clips from the show and comments from some of the actors. There are also cast appearances on such talk shows as AM Los Angeles and others. The actors seem genuinely impressed and gladdened that so many people remember the show even though it went off the air so many years before, and thanks to cable it has gotten a whole new generation of fans. There's a charming moment when a seven-year-old boy asks David Selby (Quentin Collins) a question about the werewolf to Selby's obvious pleasure. One of the definite highlights is when Louis Edmonds (Roger Collins) sings a jazz number and reveals a fine voice and a lot of Broadway-style charisma. Less memorable is Marie Wallace (Eve) telling off Roger Davis, whom she clearly doesn't like, for allegedly bumping her out of camera range on a regular basis. Davis attributes it all to intense emotion to hide the fact that he'd forgotten some of his lines. Who knows?
Verdict: For Dark Shadows completists. **1/2.
John Karlen...good old Willie Loomis. Also very memorable as Tyne Daley's sweet and supportive husband on Cagney & Lacey.
ReplyDeleteI have such affection for all these actors, and have all of Leigh-Scott's books. Too bad Tim Burton and Johnny Depp could not make something better out of their Dark Shadows--it is a travesty, unfunny and does not evoke the spirit of the series. And the so-called cameos of the original actors is a joke - they were extras in the party scene with no close-ups whatsoever, no "moments" for the fans of the series to recognize them...
Ah, well, maybe it will be remade again!! Barnabas and Josette 4ever!!
-Chris
It would be nice to see a respectful big-screen remake. Scott writes in one of her books at how disappointed everyone was by their "cameaos." Frid was especially angered, as well he should have been. But the movie was so abysmal that maybe, ultimately, they were glad not to be a big part of it!
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