Terror at Collinwood Episode 32: The Leviathans with Rick Lai and Stephen Mark Rainey
The deeply fascinating but oft-maligned Leviathans arc is the focus of this episode. Acclaimed authors Stephen Mark Rainey and Rick Lai visit the podcast to discuss and analyze this Dark Shadows storyline, while also looking at its inspirations. Other topics include Mark’s official work on the Dark Shadows Big Finish audio plays and the DS novel ‘Dreams of the Dark’, and Rick’s intriguing essay on the Leviathans as well as some of his fictional tales that incorporate nods to DS.
Note: Apologies for the audio issues near the end of this episode.
Terror at Collinwood Episode 31: Donald F. Glut Discusses DS
Prolific writer, film director, screenwriter, and classic horror fan, Don Glut, pops by the Terror at Collinwood podcast for a fun chat about his fandom for Dark Shadows. In addition to discussing his memories of discovering Dark Shadows in the 60’s, Don talks about meeting various DS stars over the years, and shares memories of working with Jerry Lacy in Tales of Frankenstein. Don also talks about being in the band Penny Arkade and hanging out with the band’s producer Michael Nesmith of The Monkees. Don also created The Occult Files of Dr. Spektor for Gold Key Comics and talks about trying to sneak Barnabas into an issue.
Terror at Collinwood Episode 30: Hermes Press Dark Shadows Books with Sabrina Herman
Since 2010, Hermes Press has been releasing high-quality collections and reprints of classic 60's and 70's Dark Shadows publications such as the Gold Key comics and story digest, the newspaper comic strips, and the Paperback Library novels. Managing Editor Sabrina Herman stops by the podcast to talk about the origins of DS at Hermes, the work that goes into putting these books together, and she even drops some tantalizing hints about potential future Hermes Press Dark Shadows books!
Terror at Collinwood Episode 29: The Gothic World-Building of Dark Shadows with Dr. Andrew Higgins
Dr. Andrew Higgins is a respected J.R.R. Tolkien scholar and longtime Dark Shadows fan who wrote the essay “The Gothic World-Building of Dark Shadows” for the publication, Exploring Imaginary Worlds: Essays on Media, Structure, and Subcreation. He visits Terror at Collinwood for a fun and insightful discussion about transmedia world-building, the primary vs. the secondary world, formalism, canon vs. non-canon, how spin-off media and fandom enriches and informs story worlds, and much more! Other topics include J.R.R. Tolkien, Andrew's memories of Dark Shadows, the story that inspired the use of I-Ching on DS, Angelique's confusing timeline, Grayson Hall, 1795, 1840, and much more!
Terror at Collinwood Episode 28: Running Home to Shadows with Jim Beard
This episode features a discussion with editor and writer Jim Beard who, along with Charles R. Rutledge, edited the new book Running Home to Shadows: Memories of TV’s First Supernatural Soap from Today’s Grown-Up Kids from Becky Books. We talk about the book, its contents, how the project came together, and about Jim and his wife Becky's history with Dark Shadows and classic horror movies. This spirited conversation touches on many topics, including Sir Graves Ghastly, Batman, Kolchak, the Planet of the Apes fiction anthology, a proposed Dark Shadows fiction anthology, Universal and Hammer horror, pulp heroes and, of course, running home from school to watch Dark Shadows.
Terror at Collinwood Episode 27: 55th Anniversary of Jonathan Frid’s 1st Appearance as Barnabas Collins with David Selby, Mary O’Leary, Nancy Kersey, and Will McKinley
This special episode of Terror at Collinwood is a celebration of the 55th anniversary of Jonathan Frid’s first appearance as Barnabas Collins on Dark Shadows! The show opens with a delightful discussion featuring special guest David Selby, who portrayed the iconic Quentin Collins in Dark Shadows. Following the interview, there’s a fun and spirited chat with special guests Mary O’Leary, Nancy Kersey and Will McKinley, who worked with Jonathan Frid in the development of his one-man shows in the 1980’s era. Finally, the episode concludes with a rare and exciting recording of Jonathan Frid reading Dead Call by author William F. Nolan, featuring music by David Christenberry/RaveDave60 Music. This episode is dedicated to the memory of Kay Fry.
Terror at Collinwood Episode 26: 1897 Addendum
This short episode kicks off with a tribute to the late Mitchell Ryan from Jeff Owens and Richard Chamberlain of the 'Classic Horrors Club' podcast! After that, Penny examines some possibilities about what might have taken place before Barnabas changed history in 1897.
Terror at Collinwood Episode 25: The 1897 Storyline with Joe Escobar
The iconic and beloved 1897 storyline garnered Dark Shadows its highest ratings when it originally aired in 1969. Longtime DS fan and editor of the online eZine 'The Collins Mausoleum', Joe Escobar, visits the podcast to discuss this mega-popular set of episodes. Stay tuned until the end for tributes to the late Mitchell Ryan from Rob and Phyllis Floyd of the 'Fantasmo After Dark' podcast and Jule Saynes of the 'Resident of Collinwood' YouTube podcast.
Terror at Collinwood Episode 24: Dark Shadows is Wicked Gothic
Another frenzied (and geeky) lecture? You bet! This time, Penny Dreadful tackles major characteristics of gothic horror & gothic romance and illustrates their use in Dark Shadows. Topics include Terror at Collinwood’s Rondo Award nomination for best podcast (!!!), Terror vs. Horror, “spackling” continuity and bloopers, atmosphere of the gothic, otherness, serials, obsession, madness, love triangles, monsters and the supernatural, heightened emotion, the sublime, subverting the gothic, and much more!
Be sure to vote in the Rondo Hatton Classic Horror Awards!
Terror at Collinwood was nominated for Best Podcast & Penny Dreadful was nominated for Favorite Horror Host
The full ballot can be found here: https://rondoaward.com
Terror at Collinwood Episode 23: Ranking the Remakes and Reboots with Ricardo Rebelo
Ricardo Rebelo is a filmmaker, professor of communications, and former director of the Rhode Island International Horror Film Festival. In this episode, Ric joins Penny Dreadful as they rank the Dark Shadows remakes and reboots! Other topics include the atmosphere of New England, Ric’s introduction to DS and the horror genre, hopes for the future, and much more!
Terror at Collinwood Episode 22: Daytime Gothic with Stuart Manning
Graphic designer, Big Finish audio producer, and writer Stuart Manning visits the podcast to discuss his upcoming 'Dark Shadows' print fanzine 'Daytime Gothic'. Other topics include Stuart's work on the Big Finish DS audio dramas, the Dark Shadows News Page, the Dark Shadows Journal, Stuart's introduction to DS, the Burton film, DS in the UK, and much, much more!
Terror at Collinwood Episode 21: Bride of Listener Email!
Selected listener email messages are read and addressed! Topics include Daytime Gothic 'zine announcement, explanation of the job Willie had to do, was the Leviathan storyline really as bad as some fans say, spinoff media requests, lots of fan memories, and much more!
Terror at Collinwood Episode 20: Dark Shadows: Reincarnation with Mark B. Perry
Emmy and Golden Globe Award-winning writer/producer Mark B. Perry visits Terror at Collinwood to discuss his much-anticipated sequel series, Dark Shadows: Reincarnation. Discussion topics include the current status of DS: Reincarnation, Mark's introduction to DS and monster culture, referencing past DS storylines and characters, bringing back actors from the classic show, locations and music, and much, much more!
Terror at Collinwood Episode 19: The World of Dark Shadows with Kathleen Resch
Kathleen Resch, a truly instrumental figure in the history of Dark Shadows fandom, visits Terror at Collinwood to discuss the genesis, development, and growth of the post-1971 DS fan community. Kathy was the creator/publisher behind the long-running flagship DS fanzine, The World of Dark Shadows. She also published the beloved Dark Shadows Concordances and was co-writer on official publications such as The Dark Shadows Companion. In addition, Kathy was one of the core founders and organizers behind the celebrated Dark Shadows Festivals. Listen as this fandom legend recounts her many experiences with Dark Shadows and its devoted fan community.
Terror at Collinwood Episode 18: DS - A Christmas Carol with Kathryn Leigh Scott, Ansel Faraj, and Richard Halpern
Dark Shadows: A Christmas Carol reunites ten members of the original DS cast for a very special yuletide event presented by Smartphone Theatre. Actress Kathryn Leigh Scott (Maggie Evans, Josette DuPres Collins from Dark Shadows), Ansel Faraj (filmmaker Loon Lake, Dr. Mabuse series), and Richard Halpern (actor and singer, Mr. Tin Pan Alley, Austin Powers impersonator) visit the podcast for a spirited discussion about this incredible, once-in-a-lifetime event! Other topics include recollections about DS and hopes for DS in the future.
Terror at Collinwood Episode 17: Many Characters, One Choice! with Rod Labbe
Rondo Award-winning writer Rod Labbe has interviewed many of the Dark Shadows stars over the years, and even ran the Dennis Patrick fan club in 1969-1970. He visits Terror at Collinwood to discuss his DS and monster memories! After that, Rod and Penny look at the DS actors who played six or more characters on the show and challenge themselves to pick their favorites from each set!
Terror at Collinwood Episode 16: Return to 1796 & DS Pop Culture Visibility with Roberta Andrade
Penny Dreadful launches into a frenzied twenty-minute lecture about Dark Shadows needing more representation in popular culture, after which she is joined by perfumer Roberta Andrade to discuss the short-but-memorable Return to 1796 storyline. Other topics include current DS news and plugs for other DS podcasts.
Terror at Collinwood Episode 15: Halloween Special - Two Nights at Collinwood
This special Halloween installment of the podcast takes place within the eerie halls of Collinwood itself! Recorded on-location at Seaview Terrace aka the Carey Mansion, the episode features interviews with longtime Dark Shadows fans Bob Issel, Jimmy Hutcheson, Helen Samaras, Guy Haines, Vivian Hardwick, Nina Ogle, Mary Wasmer, and Marge Hicks. In addition to talk about Dark Shadows and the annual parties at the great house, Bob talks about the incredible new book ‘Our Shadowed Past’. Finally, several of the guests reveal their own real-life ghostly encounters at the haunted mansion.
Terror at Collinwood Episode 14: The Werewolf and the Ghost of Quentin Collins with Stephen D. Sullivan
Prolific Role-Playing Game designer, author, editor, and artist Stephen D. Sullivan visits the show to discuss the Werewolf and Ghost of Quentin Collins storylines from Dark Shadows. Other topics include speculation about whether Dark Shadows would work as a tabletop RPG plus discussion about horror RPGs, including Stephen's own work on D&D and the original CHILL horror role-playing game.
Terror at Collinwood Episode 13: The Creation of Adam & Eve and the Dream Curse with Rich Handley
Author and editor Rich Handley visits the podcast to discuss the Creation of Adam & Eve and Dream Curse storylines. Concurrent plots and characters are also discussed, including star-crossed lovers Jeff/Peter and Vicki, Elizabeth’s obsession with being buried alive, the diabolical machinations of Cassandra and Nicholas Blair, the mad science of Dr. Eric Lang, Diabolos, vampire Angelique, Tom Jennings, Maggie’s memories, Professor Stokes, and more!