Award-winning playwright and screenwriter John Logan created the Showtime series Penny Dreadful, and has written numerous plays, including Red, Never the Sinner, and Peter and Alice. In addition, the prolific Mr. Logan has written screenplays for major motion pictures such as The Aviator, Hugo, Gladiator, Sweeney Todd, and many others. John also happens to be a passionate Dark Shadows fan! He visits the podcast to talk Dark Shadows, Showtime’s Penny Dreadful, Universal Monsters, classic horror, DS collectibles, and much more! In the process, John discusses the impact DS has made on the terror and speculative fiction genre and how it inspires his own work as a creator. This is one episode you will not want to miss! Bonus question for you at the end: So, you want to live in Collinwood?

The Dream Curse storyline in Dark Shadows was inspired by an obscure 1957 horror novel called The Dreamers, written by Roger Manvell. Although this was revealed by writer Ron Sproat at the first DS Festival, many remain unaware of the book and its influence on the Dream Curse plot. Returning to the podcast are Amanda Desiree and Stephen R. Shutt, who are both writers and longtime fans of Dark Shadows and all things spooky. We spend the first half of this episode examining The Dreamers, comparing and contrasting the novel to the plot line in the show. In the second half of the episode, we have some fun interpreting the symbolism of the DS Dream Curse as we try to determine the greatest fear of each dreamer.

Dark Shadows certainly boasted a memorable and iconic roster of main characters, but there were also a plethora of outstanding supporting and minor characters in the series. These characters, and the actors who played them, brought something special to the show. In this episode of Terror at Collinwood, longtime fan Nick Caputo visits to discuss these noteworthy short-term characters. Nick is a writer, blogger, and Steve Ditko expert who brings his vast comics knowledge to the table during the discussion. Other topics include: Nick’s DS memories, collecting the bubblegum cards, buying comics, Steve Ditko, Roy Thomas, the DS and comics connection, DS Festivals, and more!

'Collinsport After Dark' is a new Youtube-based podcast hosted by theater technician, actor, educator, and longtime 'Dark Shadows' fan, Alan Gallant. Originally from Bangor, Maine, Alan talks about his childhood memories of DS, theatrical inspirations, and discusses the research that has gone into the subjects featured on Collinsport After Dark. Topics discussed in this episode include: how Alan researched gum card photos and music cues, a chat about various props used in the series, teen magazines, Alan’s favorite characters and storylines, and more. This episode starts with some words in honor of Marcy Robin, editor/publisher of ‘Shadowgram’, who passed away on December 22, 2023. The show concludes with information about many Dark Shadows and classic horror podcasts.

In the spirit of Dale Clark’s “Dark Shadows Book of Questions and Answers” series comes the first installment of Terror at Collinwood’s Dark Shadows PODCAST of Questions and Answers! In this episode, the following questions are addressed: How can it be that Josette’s maiden name was originally Lafreniere, and that she was said to have died in 1834, when we know this was not the case? Who was Abner Collins? How did Quentin end up sealed in his room in the unaltered version of 1897? How could Dr. Lang know about Dave Woodard? Is Barnabas a hero or a villain? Are the Leviathans aliens? Why was Amy called Molly at first? Listen, as Penny Dreadful unleashes a frenzied torrent of in-universe explanations, with references to everything from H.P. Lovecraft, to Marvel's Punisher, to the plays of William Shakespeare, and more!

The episode opens with the sad news of Lara Parker’s passing. Note: The interview with Stuart took place the week before. Please read my post Goodbye, Lara Parker on the Terror at Collinwood Blog — Stuart Manning returns to Terror at Collinwood to discuss the upcoming issue 2 of Daytime Gothic, a charity print fanzine devoted to Dark Shadows. Stuart is still accepting submissions for the new issue, so be sure to listen for details on how to send in your proposals. Other topics include: a chat about issue one and some of its contents, cast and crew involvement in the 'zine, the "Emergency Episode" of DS, and more. Stuart also offers some tantalizing hints about what to expect in issue two!

Writer, blogger, and podcaster Danny Horn visits Terror at Collinwood for a fun discussion about Dark Shadows, superheroes, and more! From 2013 to 2021, Danny undertook the Herculean task of examining Dark Shadows episode by episode, starting with the release of Barnabas, via his popular Dark Shadows Every Day blog. The blog also took side-trips into real-life events surrounding the show, looked at licensed media such as comics, novels, and audio dramas as well as the various DS remakes and reboots. Currently, Danny hosts the Superheroes Every Day podcast and maintains a corresponding blog through which he explores superhero films. Topics of discussion in this episode include: Superheroes Every Day, how Danny got into Dark Shadows, Muppets, Doctor Who, Dark Shadows Every Day, villains as main characters, fandom and ‘zines, watching DS in syndication during the 80’s, the Kaiju, serialized storytelling and genre TV as soap opera, Mark B. Perry's Dark Shadows Reincarnation, Muppets/DS crossover (?!), and much more!

The Dark Shadows Daybook Unbound is now available for download as an audiobook. Reader Mary D. Johnson joins Rondo Award-winning writer Patrick McCray in this episode to discuss what it’s like experiencing Dark Shadows for the first time in such a unique way. Assorted Daybook selections from the audiobook, as read by Mary, are included in the episode. Other topics include: themes in Dark Shadows, Roger Davis, why it makes sense that Vicki doesn't understand, how fans of DS are sometimes perceived by fans of other franchises, and more.

As a teenager, Elena Nacanther was one of the devoted Studio Kids who used to hang out at the ABC TV-16 studio during the original run of Dark Shadows. Along with her friend and fellow “Frid Girl” Valerie, Elena volunteered as Jonathan Frid’s personal assistant while Dark Shadows was on the air. Elena later went on to become a successful New York radio producer and director in the city’s #1 market. She remained friends with Jonathan for the rest of his life. Elena visits Terror at Collinwood to share her memories of Jonathan Frid and of being a studio kid in the late 60’s and early 70’s. Other topics of conversation include: Elena and Valerie becoming Jonathan Frid’s assistants, visiting the Collinwood set, Jonathan’s fan mail parties, surprising Grayson Hall, protesting the cancellation of DS, some insight into the reasons Bramwell Collins was created for the show, and much more! NOTE: The YouTube version of this episode features many rare photos from Elena’s personal collection!

Emmy Award-winning makeup artist Todd McIntosh has over 40 years of experience in the television and film industries, boasting such credits as Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Pushing Daisies, Dr. Strange, Dracula Dead and Loving It, Masters of the Universe, The Brady Bunch Movie, and many more. He was the Makeup Department Head on the 2004 WB Dark Shadows pilot and happens to be a huge fan of the original ABC series! In fact, Todd cites Dark Shadows as a major influence on his interests in makeup, monsters, and prosthetics during his formative years. He visits Terror at Collinwood to discuss a variety of topics, including his memories of watching DS, his early experiences as a professional makeup artist, his memories of working on Buffy the Vampire Slayer, memories of working with Mel Brooks, meeting DS cast members, interactions with Dick Smith, and of course his work on the 2004 WB Dark Shadows pilot. Along the way, Todd shares a great story involving some impromptu fangs and Dan Curtis. On August 17, 2023, Todd will be part of a special tribute to makeup legend Dick Smith, presented by the Academy Museum at the Ted Mann Theater in Los Angeles, where he will be introducing House of Dark Shadows to an enthusiastic audience!

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With their magic spells, curses, and arcane incantations, the witches, warlocks, and mages of Dark Shadows certainly left a strong and lasting impression upon fans of the show. One of those fans is Laramie Dean, a talented novelist (Black Forest) and playwright (Frankenstein Among the Dead, Dracula, The Gorgon Sisters). The delightful Laramie pays a visit to the podcast for a spirited discussion about Angelique, Nicholas, Judah, Bathia, Petofi, and other wielders of magic in the DS universe. The episode also includes: a geeky side lecture on the depiction of witches in horror films, and a substantial DS opening news segment that includes info about new books, appearances, podcasts, and more! The show ends with shoutouts to several Dark Shadows and DS-adjacent podcasts! ALSO: get thee to the Blue Whale jukebox and dig the terrifyingly tubular new surf rock version of the DS theme song, ‘Surfing the Shadows’, performed by Johnny D & The Moonlighters! It also happens to be the new opening theme for Terror at Collinwood!

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The final Dark Shadows storyline is set in a parallel universe in the year 1841 and features a set of new characters, which includes the son of Barnabas and Josette from a parallel band of time. Dismissed and derided by some fans, 1841 Parallel Time offers viewers a dark and brooding tale that takes inspiration from works by Emily Brontë and Shirley Jackson. Returning to the podcast to help examine the final DS segment is artist and writer (and designer of the Terror at Collinwood show logos!), Eric Marshall! Join us as we explore and discuss this unusual and underappreciated storyline.

Recorded within the haunted halls of Collinwood (Seaview Terrace/Carey Mansion), this episode features an impromptu “fan favorites” discussion with a group of passionate, longtime Dark Shadows fans. Topics include favorite characters, favorite storylines, favorite fandom memories, and favorite scenes. Will Matthew Morgan succeed in kicking us off Collins property? Tune in and find out! With guests: Joe Flanagan, Tweetie Jackie Blackburn, Jimmy Hutcheson, Virginia Fox Brekhus, Mair Bear, Joe Escobar, Guy Haines, Beth Caster, and Jeff Kenny.

The 1840 storyline is the penultimate Dark Shadows plot and the last one set in the show’s main timeband. Although it doesn’t receive as much adulation as the serial’s iconic 1795 and 1897 storylines, 1840 is filled with many delights. Featuring vivid new characters, shocking twists, as well as nods to previous DS stories and classic horror films, there is much to enjoy in the next-to-last DS storyline. Writers Amanda Desiree and Katherine “Creepy Cat” Kerestman visit the podcast to help shed some light on this sometimes-underappreciated DS segment.

Tim Burton's Dark Shadows would have been a very different film had John August’s original screenplay been used instead of Seth Grahame-Smith’s attempt at a comedic rewrite. This episode of Terror at Collinwood features the first half of a deep dive discussion about the never-before-seen, non-comedic John August script for the Burton/Depp Dark Shadows. Returning to the podcast to join the conversation are Patrick McCray, writer of The Dark Shadows Daybook and The Dark Shadows Daybook Unbound, and Madelyn Marks, admin of the Dark Shadows Discord server community. Join us for PART ONE of this very rare glimpse into what might have been!

A claustrophobic sense of doom pervades the Summer of 1970, the final present-day storyline on Dark Shadows. In it, Barnabas Collins and Dr. Julia Hoffman try to unravel the mystery behind the insidious and increasingly malignant hauntings at the great house in an effort to prevent the destruction of Collinwood and its inhabitants. Meanwhile, they must also deal with a mysterious new vampire who prowls the estate. Professor and writer David M. Wingrove and writer Stephen R. Shutt visit the Terror at Collinwood podcast to dissect and explore this oft-ignored and/or scorned storyline, examining its various literary inspirations along the way. Often seen as DS’ attempt to recapture the success of the 'Turn of the Screw'-inspired “ghosts of Quentin and Beth” storyline, Summer of 1970 pulls inspiration from several classic sources, including tales by Oliver Onions and M.R. James, with a nod to Sheridan Le Fanu.

It’s a ghoul-tide trip down memory lane in this Terror at Collinwood Christmas/Holiday special. I sit down with my family to discuss their memories of Dark Shadows. Other topics include: moving to America from Portugal, getting into 60’s pop culture, growing up in the 60’s, Dracula actors, binge watching in the 80’s before it was a thing, family interests in spooky stuff, and much more! Featuring, in order of appearance, interviews with my: aunt Agatha, mom Zezinha, uncle Valdemar, cousin Karen, cousin Elijah, dad Tony, sister Amy, and sister Maggie.

On November 22, 1967, the vengeful and powerful witch Angelique made her debut on Dark Shadows and became an instant hit with viewers, remaining an important part of the series for the remainder of its run. The character subsequently took her place alongside Barnabas, and later Quentin, as a pop culture icon, appearing on assorted products and in DS spinoff media. Visiting the podcast to commemorate her legendary character's 55th anniversary is Lara Parker, the talented actress who portrayed Angelique onscreen! Discussion topics include: Lara's thoughts on Angelique, memories of working on DS, Night of Dark Shadows, Lara's DS novels, what makes DS special, terror vs. horror, the allure of vampires, the fans, and much more!

Released in 1970, and directed by Dan Curtis, the MGM theatrical film House of Dark Shadows featured the TV series cast in a darker and more violent reimagining of the Introduction of Barnabas storyline from the show. The picture proved to be a hit for MGM, and while it is loved by many fans and disliked by others, it stands as a notable and compelling entry in vampire film history. Visiting the podcast to discuss House of Dark Shadows is prolific Hollywood conceptual designer and artist, Ricardo Delgado. Ricardo’s book Dracula of Transylvania and the upcoming Art of Dracula of Transylvania are also discussed. Other topics include Ricardo’s memories of watching Sombras Tenebrosas (Dark Shadows) as a child in Costa Rica, buying Famous Monsters of Filmland, reading Marvel’s Tomb of Dracula and Werewolf by Night comics, and much more!

What’s the perfect way to celebrate Halloween?... With Dark Shadows and Horror Hosts, of corpse! In this episode, Penny Dreadful summons many of her fellow television and internet horror movie hosts to share their memories and thoughts on DS. Hosted by Penny Dreadful and featuring (in order of appearance): Count Gore De Vol, Sally the Zombie Cheerleader, Dr. Gangrene, Doctor Sarcofiguy, Professor Anton Griffin, Undead Johnny, Marlena Midnite, Sicko-Psychotic, The Bone Jangler, Karlos Borloff, Dr. Dreck, Remo D, Bobby Gammonster, Scarlett Kaiju, The Host, Danvers, Stevie Gothling/Tim the Enchanter, Octavian Hallow, and Halloween Jack. You won’t want to miss this hex-clusive Halloween Horror Host celebration of Dark Shadows! Listen to the very end to hear a fascinating interview clip from a horror host who tried to audition for the original Dark Shadows in the early 70’s!