Night of Dark Shadows turns theater into a "day care center," 1971 newspaper review

The Shadows Once Again Are Dark

The Robesonian, Aug. 13, 1971

By LEE HAMILTON


When the ABC-TV series "Dark Shadows" left the airwaves back in April, it was a great disappointment to  the many fans left behind, but judging from a new release from Metro-Goldwyn Mayer, where television has left off, the flicks will continue.

The second of two movies based on the Dan Curtis video production, "Night of Dark Shadows" is currently  playing the Carolina Theatre here with many of the old familiar players seen in the TV episodes.

We've noticed that these film versions of the Collinwood story have a tendency to be a bit more gruesome than their television counterpart. This is understandable, however, in view of the current trend toward extreme realism in movie-making.

The story of the movie takes us once again to the ancient Maine manor house of Collinwood which has just been inherited by Quentin Collins, portrayed, as usually by David Selby, who brings his young wife, Tracy, played by Kate Jackson, to the mansion where he plans to settle down and pursue his profession as an artist.

It seems, however, that Quentin is the reincarnation of one Charles Collins, an ancestor of some 200 years standing who was in love with and loved by Angelique Collins, reputed to be a witch. This latter day Quentin
becomes enchanted by the ghost of Angelique, and things really begin to happen after that.

The supernaturalism in the flick is somewhat subdued, however, compared with, the first of the "Shadows" film versions — "House of Dark Shadows" which had that incorrigible vampire Barnabas Collins, the  high-flying Jonathan Frid role, as the featured boogy.

At our seeing of the film Wednesday afternoon, it would have appeared that nearly half  the youngsters in Lumberton were in the theatre — in fact — "day-care center" would have been a good word to describe the environment.

The 8 to 10 year olds were out in force and screamed at the slightest provocation. It was well reminiscent of the good old Saturday afternoon matinne days at the Carolina. In a somewhat different role was Grayson Hall, who instead of her usual characterization of Dr. Julia Hoffman, played the housekeeper Carlctta Drake in a very sinister but masterly fashion. If one is used to seeing iMiss Hall as a red-headed lady doctor (via color TV) then this sardonic brown-haired housekeeper was a definite surprise departure.

Other familiar faces in the Collinwood set up were Nancy Barrett, Christopher Pennock, James Storm and Thayer David.

Sotrm was noteworthy for his portrayal of the role of Gerard Styles, on the the TV series villains.