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Thursday, February 3, 2011

Early Design Influence: Dark Shadows

When I was a very young, tow-headed boy, the afternoon soap opera Dark Shadows used to scare the living crap out of me.  Vampires, witches, ghosts, werewolves, blood curses and floating, severed hands all made appearances in this campy, schlock-fest.  But the star of the show for me was the creepy, Gothic sets.  We grew up in a cozy, little house on a lake but I forever daydreamed of living in a spooky mansion on a cliff next to the crashing sea!  One of my favorite interiors on the show, and one that left an indelible impression on my young mind was the elegantly-appointed  boudoir of the ill-fated Josette duPres-Collins.

                  Kathryn Leigh Scott serving Regency realness :

I so wanted to live in a room with the haunting  portrait of Josette Collins hanging over the fireplace!  Candleabras burning.  Crystal chandeliers tinkling overhead.  The paneled walls.  The "antique satin" draperies.  Heaven.  I even learned to play Josette's Music Box on the piano (and can still play it).  BTW,  love the Casio "B-Section" in the video!  Geek Alert:  I can also play other monster DS hits such as Quentin's Theme and At the Blue Whale, a veritable classic which my sisters once owned on 45.

I also recall there being a story line involving a haunted dollhouse (I know)! and a ghost played by a very young Kate Jackson, of later Charlies's Angels fame.

I hear they're remaking Dark Shadows starring Johnny Depp as Barnabus Collins. Not sure how I feel about that, I mean, I love me some Johnny Depp, but is he really of Jonathan Frid's acting caliber?  I think not.

P.S.  If anyone runs across a miniature fireplace mantle like the one in the very beginning of the video, please let me know!

3 comments:

Karin Corbin said...[Reply]

There is only one somewhat complex molding shape on the mantle. Most of the rest of the mantle can easily be made with stock miniature moldings and a miter saw. I think you have the skills to pull it off yourself.

John said...[Reply]

Karin, I thought that right after I posted, lol! I was thinking at first I'd have to cast it, but I suppose that's not even necessary unless I wanted to mass-produce it.

Karin Corbin said...[Reply]

It could be done in plaster if you create shaped scrapers for the profiles.

If you want to hire out the job talk to Linda Master. Last year I sent her a box of beautiful specialty carbide router bits made for dollhouse work. She might also need a miniature reverse Roman Ogee bit from Rockler then again maybe not it depends on what she thinks.

Linda does great quality, custom work for a reasonable price.
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