ShadowGram Online Dark Shadows News Updates List Marcy Robin's Cyberspace "Dark Shadows" News Update List An Internet Publication of SHADOWGRAM < ShadowGram@aol.com > Number 138. August 7, 2005 ********************************************* Hello, Dark Shadows Fan, ShadowGram (SG), The Official Newsletter & News Source for Dark Shadows (DS), announces the following breaking news. ---- DARK SHADOWS FESTIVAL "HOLLYWOOD WEEKEND" REPORT The Dark Shadows Festival's first-ever Hollywood Weekend gathering was held July 29-31 in the heart of TinselTown at the Renaissance Hollywood Hotel. Approximately 1,000 DS fans from across the country plus Italy, England, and Canada met with a dozen of the series' stars and creative personnel. The weekend kicked off with a Friday trip for 200+ fans to the Greystone Mansion in Beverly Hills. The impressive building and its extensive hilltop grounds were used as "Collinwood" in the 1991 primetime DS series and the 2004 DS pilot. Throughout the weekend, we were joined by guests David Selby (Quentin), Nancy Barrett (Carolyn & others), Lara Parker (Angelique & others), John Karlen (Willie & others), Jerry Lacy (Rev. Trask & others), Kathryn Leigh Scott (Maggie & others), Marie Wallace (Eve & others), Robert Rodan (Adam), Diana Millay (Laura), Chris Pennock (Jeb Hawkes & others), Robert Cobert (Music Composer), and Sy Tomashoff (Scenic Designer). All participated in audience Q&A and autograph sessions. Kathleen Cody, Geoffrey Scott, and Jim Storm were unable to attend as planned. Saturday highlights included a video memorial for DS actors Don Briscoe (Chris/Tom & others), Anthony George (Burke Devlin) and Dana Elcar (Sheriff Patterson), all of whom passed away recently. There also was a video tribute to Dennis Patrick (Jason McGuire & Paul Stoddard), who was a regular Festival attendee until his 2002 death. Music composer Robert Cobert participated in an audience Q&A session before the memorabilia charity auction. The benefit auction raised funds for the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research. The Blue Whale neon sign prop from the 1991 primetime DS series was the top auction item, selling for the high bid of $1,200.00. Author Brian Kellow discussed his new book "The Bennetts - An Acting Family," which focuses heavily on the life and career of DS' Hollywood film star Joan Bennett. Joan's eldest daughter, Diana Anderson, also spoke, as did actress June Lockhart, a Bennett family friend who read selections from the biography. Seven of the original DS actors - David, Lara, Jerry, John, Marie, Kathryn, and Nancy - performed the new drama "Vengeance At Collinwood" (written and directed by Jamison Selby) on stage with sound effects producer Tony Palermo. Constructed in the form of a radio drama, the story centered on Reverend Trask's attempts to seek revenge on Angelique and the Collins family. The 2004 DS pilot for the WB was shown in an exclusive one-time-only screening. This contemporary interpretation of the basic characters and the story of Barnabas' release from the coffin was not picked up by the network. More information, exclusive photos, and other details about the pilot are found in the SGs #101 - #103 print issues. More than 20 fans dressed in elaborate apparel for the Saturday night Costume & Presentation Gala, showcasing their DS and horror creativity in song, performance, and interpreting a variety of costumes and characters. Sunday welcomed DS scenic designer Sy Tomashoff for a Q&A session with the audience. Chris Pennock read from the latest edition of his biographical comic book series. Diana Millay offered recollections along with highlight clips from some of her Hollywood film and TV appearances of the 1950s and 1960s, such as "Bonanza" and "Street of Sinners." Marie Wallace shared anecdotes about being on DS and debuted her new biography "On Stage & In Shadows." The memoir is now available through amazon.com, iUniverse.com, Bamm.com (Books a Million), and 800-AUTHORS. Price is $17.95 + p/h. ISBN # 0-595-35877-2. Nancy Barrett, accompanied by musical director and pianist Steven Silverstein, capped the weekend with "Oh, To Be A Movie Star!" This amusing musical revue featured a collection of popular standards about a young woman who yearns to be a Big Movie Star. Nancy added some clever DS touches, such as a rendition of "I Wanna Dance With You" and a salute to a fave celebrity. Some songs were specifically styled for the appreciative DS crowd. The Sunday night Banquet gave nearly 400 fans the opportunity to share a full dinner with 8 of the stars while enjoying door prizes and a special video montage of several DS actors in vintage commercials and game/talk show guest appearances. **** ANNOUNCING: --- DARK SHADOWS 40TH ANNIVERSARY GATHERING - 2006 The Dark Shadows 40th Anniversary Celebration will take place August 25, 26 & 27, 2006 at the New York Marriott Hotel at the Brooklyn Bridge in Brooklyn, NY. This is the same location, newly renovated, where the successful 2003 DS Festival Weekend was held. It is too early for a guest list, programming plans, or hotel reservations. Please watch for more announcements, ongoing developments, guest and programming details - they will be in the upcoming ShadowGram print newsletters, on this SG Updates List, and on the Fest website. ---- THE FOLLOWING ARE NOW AVAILABLE IN VERY LIMITED QUANTITIES - FIRST-COME-FIRST-SERVED *** JAMISON SELBY's original script for the 2003 DS sequel drama "Return to Collinwood" was presented in radio play format by 11 of the DS actors at the 2003 Fest in NY. It is available on CD from MPI, but the script has only been offered at the Fest. A few of these scripts are now available in very limited supply on a first-come-first-served basis only. Price is $20.00 (includes postage). Please send a Self-Addressed Stamped Envelope with your order. Make check or money order payable to Marcy Robin, P.O. Box 1766, Temple City, CA 91780-7766. *** Brian Kellow's biography "The Bennetts - An Acting Family" follows Joan's entire family, covering her work on DS and ending with her death in 1990. A very limited supply of this 500+-page hardcover book is available now by mail-order on a first-come-first-served basis only, at the special reduced price of $24.00 + $4.00 p/h. (This total $28.00 price is far less than its regular $39.95 list price when purchased in stores.) Make check or money order payable to Marcy Robin, P.O. Box 1766, Temple City, CA 91780-7766. All of the news in this Update plus the latest developments will be updated and expanded in the upcoming SG #105 print issue of the ShadowGram Official DS Newsletter, available by postal-mail. Subscription information follows. ---- FEST WEEKEND -LOST & FOUND: Please notify SG if you left a black lace over-blouse at the Banquet on Sunday night. Please briefly describe it with size. ---- NOTE: Everyone who attended the Hollywood Weekend is invited to please share their photos and reports with ShadowGram as soon as possible, so they can be enjoyed by fans of all ages in virtually every state and around the world who were unable to join us in person. I thank those of you who already have sent me your pictures and comments. Thanks also to those who tell me they'll be sending theirs very soon. Each photo and every attendee has a unique view and experience, so each one helps present the full picture of the entire Weekend. A complimentary SG Contributor's Copy is given in thanks for major contributions. *** To be added to the online list to receive future e-mail updates for Fest events and news, please e-mail your request to ShadowGram@aol.com or write with a SASE to Marcy Robin / ShadowGram, P.O. Box 1766, Temple City, CA 91780-7766. Thank you. Marcy Robin ShadowGram Editor / Publisher Marcy Robin, P.O. Box 1766, Temple City, CA 91780-7766 E-mail: ShadowGram@aol.com ***************************************************************** SHADOWGRAM (SG) is the * Official * "Dark Shadows" Newsletter. Much of its news is provided by the show's personnel and those involved in the 1966-71 TV series, 1991 TV series, and 2004 WB pilot. Established in 1979, SG works directly with individuals, companies, and others involved in DS' creation, distribution, promotion, merchandise, etc. Regular SG print issues are published throughout the year, with free bonus complimentary breaking-news published updates as needed. Brief Update bulletins are posted on this ShadowGram Online "Dark Shadows" News Updates List / Marcy Robin's ShadowGram "Dark Shadows" Cyberspace News Updates List. These posts are sent via e-mail between regularly-published issues to quickly notify fans of time-sensitive developments. Each e-mail Update is expanded and detailed in the subscription postal-mail print issues. You also can receive this identical SG Online Update by joining the ShadowGram Group at yahoogroups SG postal-mail print issues are immediately available: --- US & Canada First Class subscriptions: $12.00 for 4 issues, $24.00 for 8 issues. ---Overseas Air Mail subscriptions: US $20.00 for 4 issues, US $40.00 for 8 issues. Please send print issue subscription payment to: Marcy Robin, P.O. Box 1766, Temple City, CA 91780-7766. Online subscription payment via Paypal to: ShadowGram@aol.com For more information on the newsletter, please write with a SASE (Self-A ddressed Stamped Envelope) to the above postal-address or e-mail ShadowGram@aol.com Whenever your e-mail address changes, please notify me immediately. Please include your old and your new e-mail addresses. If you do not wish to receive this online "ShadowGram / Marcy Robin's Cyberspace Dark Shadows News Update List," please notify me via return e-mail. Thank you.