Another week has gone by and we’re gathering once again for Sunday Salon to share our thoughts on the books we’ve read.
The temperatures in many parts of the U.S. (and world) are getting colder keeping us indoors and giving way to hopefully more time to read. Fill your favorite cup to the brim with the steaming beverage of your choice and get comfortable. Let’s share our thoughts on what we’ve read and/or listen to this week.
I only have one review to share as life has been a bit hectic this past week caring for the in-laws. Today’s review, however, was a trip down memory lane for me. Listening to this audio was a fun reminder of my youth and I hope it will spark some memories for you too.
Visiting a classic’s 25th anniversary collection 20 years later may seem a bit strange but when that classic is the timeless melodrama Dark Shadows, time has little meaning.
Pomegranate Press recently released the audio version of THE DARK SHADOWS COMPANION, a look back at the original television series on its 25th anniversary in 1991. The audio is read by four of the original case members: Jonathan Frid, Lara Parker, Roger Davis, and Kathryn Leigh Scott.
This is not a story from the Dark Shadows show, but THE story of how the 1960s cult series came to be. Listeners are taken back to when producer Dan Curtis first dreamed of a dark-haired girl and how that evolved into the wonderful and intriguing show.
Members of the cast share some of their personal memories, as well as recall moments of humor and dedication from the set. THE COMPANION gives a behind-the-scenes look at how the afternoon soap opera was brought to the screen each day. In addition, fans will learn how the actors and actresses that played their beloved characters came to have those parts.
The reading by Frid (vampire Barnabas Collins), Parker (Angelique the witch), David (Peter Bradford), and Scott (Barnabas’ lost-love Josette/Maggie Evans) adds a wonderful depth to the audio. Hearing their voices will conjure visions from the past for fans of the classic soap.
THE COMPANION gives a lot of history about the show, the characters, the two movie spin-offs, and why the actors played so many different characters. It looks at the fun and friendship the cast enjoyed, as well as the long hours of dedicated work they put in to make the show a hit.
For anyone who ever ran home after school to watch this intriguing and mysterious soap, THE DARK SHADOWS COMPANION is a must have (audio and book form). You might be surprised to learn who was watching the show and where Barnabas was invited.
Take a trip back to Collinswood, visit with the original cast members, and relive a part of your youth. Dark Shadows fans have known vampires were cool way before Twilight was ever a flicker.
The Dark Shadows Companion; Read by Jonathan Frid, Lara Parker, Roger Davis, and Kathryn Leigh Scott; Pmegranate Press, @2011, ISBN: 9780938817840, Abridged, 3 Discs, Listening Time: 3 Hours
FTC Full Disclosure - This audio book was sent to me by the publisher in hopes I would review it. However, receiving the complimentary copy did not influence my review.
Are you a fan of the original Dark Shadows show? Did you have a favorite character? What was on your reading list this week? Hope everyone has a great Sunday and thanks so much for stopping by.
Mason - Oh, what an interesting idea for a book! I can't say that I watched the original show very often, but this sounds like something that could draw one into the show again. Thanks for sharing it!
ReplyDeleteI watched Dark Shadows back in the day, although I haven't seen the show in ages.
ReplyDeleteI did watch the original Dark Shadows, and loved it. A couple years ago, my family watched a few seasons worth of it on dvd's from our library, and it was just as intriguing now as then.
ReplyDeleteOooh, Dark Shadows, loved it. I would love to revisit.
ReplyDelete"Dan Curtis first dreamed of a dark-haired girl and how that evolved..."
ReplyDeleteAnd that's really how most stories start.