Q&A with Kathryn Leigh Scott discussion

Kathryn

Hello from London - not too far from Cadogan Square!

I am interested in the story arc for Barnabas Collins from the orignal show. I am Currently re-watching the episodes when Maggie first encounters Barnabas (and the talk of the poor cows by Jo). As I understand from your excellent and invaluable books, Jonathan Frid was only supposed to be on the show for a short period of time as the vampire. clearly in the early episodes Barnabas is a much more malevolent character and was clearly being played as a evil vampire (but even here Jonathan Frid's excellent performance comes through ("I was a Collins why didn't you protect me when they put this curse on me"). I would be interested to know how much of the "backstory" for Barnabas existed from the beginning and how much was developed as the show went on (clearly as you found out the link with Barnabas and Josette was established early) and Barnabas become more popular. I see two possible points where this starts to change - one the appearance of Sarah (don't want to spoil who she is) and then the scene where Barnabas tells Vicki and Carolyn the story of Josettee during a storm at Collinwood (then again when wasn't there a storm at Collinwood!). When as a cast did you know about the Angelique story? Also I just ordered the biography of Grayson Hall and it woukd be great to hear what she was like to work with. For me she is a giant of Dark Shadows and her Dr Hoffmann one of the most interesting characters (which sadly I do not think came thru in the revival show or the Depp movie) Her expressions and close ups were amazing. ok enough from me for now!

Best Andy

Hi Andy

Those were several good questions!

Indeed, Jonathan was meant to be on the show for six weeks. He'd interrupted his planned trip to California and a teaching job to take on the role of Barnabas Collins. By the time his six-week contract was up, Dan (Curtis) was busily renegotiating! The series had been close to being cancelled, but Frid saved our bacon with the introduction of the vampire! That almost answers your next question about how much of the plot was planned ahead on the show. A story arc was loosely drawn, often based on a theme from classic literature (Jane Eyre, Picture of Dorian Gray, Turn of the Screw, as examples), but I don't think the writers worked more than two weeks ahead. The fun of doing daytime drama is the flexibility of altering the story to suit viewer interest and writing to the strengths of the actors. The first I learned that a character named Angelique was joining the show is when writer Sam Hall told me to "brush up on my French." Grayson Hall had a flamboyant, larger-than-life personality that I think masked her insecurity; she could be haughty and intimidating one moment, then break into bawdy laughter the next. She was theatrical, almost operatic, in her manner, but she could also be intense and very private. The character was originally meant to be played by a man, but once Grayson assumed the role the door was opened to a wonderful interplay between Dr. Hoffman and Barnabas Collins.

Can you imagine Dark Shadows being canceled so early on? Oh NO!!! The classic literature examples you gave really do reflect the flavor of the show. I think you all did a fantastic show and my love for this show I watched as a child (I am 53 now) will live on forever. It's so much fun to hear inside details from you. Thank you for sharing this with us Kathryn. It means a lot to us all.

I agree with Terri! All of you did a great job! NOBODY can ever do what you all did...nobody! I love the show all my life, at 54 I am still watching it. It makes me feel young! And I get so into it I almost feel like I am there! Thank you so much!

Andrew wrote: "Kathryn

Hello from London - not too far from Cadogan Square!

I am interested in the story arc for Barnabas Collins from the orignal show. I am Currently re-watching the episodes when Maggie fi..."

from Anne: I love Grayson Hall!! And I agree with you that she was not utilized in the new movie!!!

Cindy wrote: "I agree with Terri! All of you did a great job! NOBODY can ever do what you all did...nobody! I love the show all my life, at 54 I am still watching it. It makes me feel young! And I get so in..."

Cindy & Terri: I totally agree with yall!! I STILL watch the original today!! The idea of it being cancelled, well, it's just unthinkable!! They drew on classic literature, worked with a scathingly short time frame and handled all the pressure of live TV!! The entire cast just came together and made magic!! Anne

Kathryn

Thank you and an amazing honour and treat to have you answer directly. I feel like I am at the Collinsport Inn having a coffee with Maggie. Will think of some more. Time to watch you get kidnapped!

Best Andy

I was lucky enough to see Mr Frid at two festivals before his death. I knew he was in the hotel when a little boy who must have been about seven came in and said, "I saw Barnabas! I saw Barnabas!" LOL! He will always be Barnabas to all of us.

It is such a pleasure to have you answer our questions personally and view our comments.!1 I loved your character as Maggie Evans on Dark Shadows! I loved the show from the very beginning and especially your character and Barnabas and Quentin. All the actors played their characters wonderfully. I am watching the VHS tapes I bought at a yard sale last summer and am thoroughly enjoying reliving all the wonderful episodes I remember as a teenager. All my friends and I couldn't wait to get home from school and watch Dark Shadows!! I have your new book "Return to Collinwood"and can't wait to read it!!! It was the best show on television!!

Kathryn wrote: "Hi Andy

Those were several good questions!

Indeed, Jonathan was meant to be on the show for six weeks. He'd interrupted his planned trip to California and a teaching job to take on the role of B..."

It is so wonderful to hear your own answers and reminiscences on the show! Wasn't it also true that they kind of hired Jonathan by mistake - I think I had read that they had selected another actor from the auditions, but mixed up the names and when Jonathan Frid showed up, they had to go with it. I just can't imagine anybody else as Barnabas Collins (Ben Cross and Johnny Depp notwithstanding), so if that is true, it is truly serendipity!

I loved to read your description of Grayson Hall. I think what you describe as her real personality came through very strongly in Julia Hoffman. She was certainly very dramatic!

You also mentioned a topic that interests me so much, and I had been planning to bring it up myself. I absolutely love the way the writers brought in storylines from classic literature! I recognized Dracula, Frankenstein, The Turn of the Screw, Jane Eyre, The Picture of Dorian Gray, and H.P. Lovecraft. You did mention several of these; can you think of any more? I'm sure there may have been more that I didn't recognize if I wasn't familiar with the original inspiration. I was always curious if the storyline with Count Petofi, Aristide, and the gypsy hand was based on something from literature.

I saw Grayson Hall in the 1960's in a Disney movie with Hayley Mills called THAT DARN CAT. She was a bank teller who had been kidnapped by bank robbers who intended to kill her but she put Help on her watch and put the watch on Hayley Mills' cat DC (Darn Cat) and Hayley took it from there with the help of an FBI agent who was allergic to cats.

Dr. Julia Hoffman was an intelligent character and I liked seeing that on the show.

Oh, I LOVED That Darn Cat! I loved Hayley Mills movies in general, too. I had forgotten that Grayson Hall was in that, but your post brings it back with great clarity! I also saw Grayson Hall in Night of the Iguana, but unfortunately I didn't care much for that movie.

Julia Hoffman was certainly a tragic figure, with her unrequited love for Barnabas, who loved another.

Denise, you can get That Darn Cat on dvd. That's what we did because we enjoy it so much.

Denise wrote: "Kathryn wrote: "Hi Andy

Those were several good questions!

Indeed, Jonathan was meant to be on the show for six weeks. He'd interrupted his planned trip to California and a teaching job to take ..."

I always thought the 1840 PT storyline, where Catherine rejects moody, passionate but poor Bramwell, and marries rich Morgan instead, while Bramwell gets revenge by marrying a sibling, reminded me a great deal of Wuthering Heights.

Denise wrote: "I always thought the 1840 PT storyline, where Catherine rejects moody, passionate but poor Bramwell, and marries rich Morgan instead, while Bramwell gets revenge by marrying a sibling, reminded me a great deal of Wuthering Heights."

That is so cool, Denise! Wuthering Heights is my favorite novel!

Denise wrote: "Denise wrote: "I always thought the 1840 PT storyline, where Catherine rejects moody, passionate but poor Bramwell, and marries rich Morgan instead, while Bramwell gets revenge by marrying a siblin..."

And of course, the 1970 PT, with sinister housekeeper, the ominous presence of the apparently beloved, perfect first wife, and the intimidated second wife, is taken straight from Daphne Du Maurier's Rebecca.
Denise M.

Denise wrote: "Kathryn wrote: "Hi Andy

Those were several good questions!

Indeed, Jonathan was meant to be on the show for six weeks. He'd interrupted his planned trip to California and a teaching job to take ..."

Kathryn, there are several short stories based on gypsies, their powers and how the powers are not limited to a "living" body....people BELIEVED gypsies came from Egypt(thus their name) and that they refused shelter to the Virgin Mary and thus were condemned to be waifs and wanderers on the earth...which led (supposedly)to their dabbling in black magic and having the reputation of being wanderers and thieves...if that major in Eng. Lit will kick in, I will send you the names of some of the more famous short stories... Anne

Denise wrote: "Denise wrote: "Denise wrote: "I always thought the 1840 PT storyline, where Catherine rejects moody, passionate but poor Bramwell, and marries rich Morgan instead, while Bramwell gets revenge by ma..."

Denise, you are sooo right!! My first experience with their liberal use of the classics came in the 8th grade when I had to read The Portrait of Dorian Gray...I kept thinking, I KNOW this story..and then it hit me -- of course!! Dark Shadows, Quentin, etc..! LOL!! I did love in PT that Maggie and Quentin were married...they were always my two favs!! Anne

Lalita wrote: "I was lucky enough to see Mr Frid at two festivals before his death. I knew he was in the hotel when a little boy who must have been about seven came in and said, "I saw Barnabas! I saw Barnabas!" ..."

I just LOVE that!! It says it all!! DS is truly immortal!!! Anne

Denise wrote: "Denise wrote: "I always thought the 1840 PT storyline, where Catherine rejects moody, passionate but poor Bramwell, and marries rich Morgan instead, while Bramwell gets revenge by marrying a siblin..."

Yeah, there's nothing like the ultimate revenge...and in the end they were the ones who truly suffered!! Anne

Denise wrote: "Denise wrote: "Denise wrote: "I always thought the 1840 PT storyline, where Catherine rejects moody, passionate but poor Bramwell, and marries rich Morgan instead, while Bramwell gets revenge by ma..."

Denise, I loved Rebecca, but that little mouse who was the heroine....good grief!! Kathryn/Maggie could never really play her (she did in PT but not as that timid little mouse -- go Kathryn!!) Anne

Terri Lynn wrote: "I saw Grayson Hall in the 1960's in a Disney movie with Hayley Mills called THAT DARN CAT. She was a bank teller who had been kidnapped by bank robbers who intended to kill her but she put Help on ..."

Terri: I saw her in That Darn Cat and The Night of the Iguana! She certainly held her own with Richard Burton!! (and That Darn Cat is my favorite Disney movie - the original, of course! that and The Parent Trap w/Hayley Mills!) Anne

Terri Lynn wrote: "Denise, you can get That Darn Cat on dvd. That's what we did because we enjoy it so much."

Terri/Denise: I've got That Darn Cat and The Parent Trap w/Hayley Mills on DVD...sometimes I watch them when I feel kinda blue and it always makes me feel better!! Anne

I'm 53 and think that if you ever get too old to enjoy a movie like that, you are ready to die! You have gotten old at that point. I don't plan to ever get old. I am glad it has that effect on you Denise. It does the same for me. Dark Shadows takes me back too.

Kathryn, did Sy Thomasoff use specific colored candles for the Old House and then for Collinwood and a different color for Angelique and her spells?? We noticed Collinwood used deep crimson and some white and the Old House tended to have blue candles. It seemed that Angelique always had green candles. Did Sy do this deliberately when yall went color?? Did it have to do with lighting or anything special?? (this is a Barbara question)...Anne

Kathryn, we know there was a great camaraderie among the cast; it spilled over onto the screen (not just talking screen chemistry)...Were yall close like family off-screen...were there any pranksters on the set?? Our money is on Johnny Karlen for that one - lol...We read in one of David Selby's books that he and his wife were going to a little dinner party and Joan Bennett was there and he said, "it must have been Kathryn, she was always throwing little dinner parties for all of us."...we know yall were like a little world of your own in that tiny studio...what was it really like behind the scenes together?? Did you always keep a "journal" like you did on the back of your call sheets for HODS?? If you did, will you ever publish it?? And what are your and Lara's beauty secrets?? You both still look so gorgeous!!! (this is a Barbara question)...Anne

Lalita wrote: "I was lucky enough to see Mr Frid at two festivals before his death. I knew he was in the hotel when a little boy who must have been about seven came in and said, "I saw Barnabas! I saw Barnabas!" ..."
Love that story!

Terri: You can NEVER be too old for Dark Shadows or any of the movies!!!! I totally agree with you that if you think you are too old, you are ready to be dead!! LOL! Anne

Diane wrote: "It is such a pleasure to have you answer our questions personally and view our comments.!1 I loved your character as Maggie Evans on Dark Shadows! I loved the show from the very beginning and esp..."

Thanks for the kind note Diane!Hope you like the book.

Anne wrote: "Terri Lynn wrote: "Denise, you can get That Darn Cat on dvd. That's what we did because we enjoy it so much."

Terri/Denise: I've got That Darn Cat and The Parent Trap w/Hayley Mills on DVD...somet..."

The Parent Trap is my favorite Hayley Mills movie ("Let's get together - yeah, yeah, yeah!"), followed by That Darn Cat. Then probably The Moonspinners.

Anne wrote: "Kathryn, we know there was a great camaraderie among the cast; it spilled over onto the screen (not just talking screen chemistry)...Were yall close like family off-screen...were there any prankste..."

Whoa! That's a lot of questions . . . yes, Dan Curtis encouraged a close relationship and we're all still good friends. Yes, I did have a dinner party for Joan Bennett and David Selby and his wife were invited, among others. We all participated in pranks . . . I once had to race across set during a commercial break and jump into my bed so Barnabas could appear and bite my neck . . . and I was short-sheeted! I couldn't get my legs straight under the covers. Many of these stories are in Dark Shadows Memories . . .

Anne wrote: "Kathryn, did Sy Thomasoff use specific colored candles for the Old House and then for Collinwood and a different color for Angelique and her spells?? We noticed Collinwood used deep crimson and som..."
Those are questions I can't answer . . . I never noticed the color of the candles. However, I believe Sy has written a book and has a website that you might check out.

Denise wrote: "Anne wrote: "Terri Lynn wrote: "Denise, you can get That Darn Cat on dvd. That's what we did because we enjoy it so much."

Terri/Denise: I've got That Darn Cat and The Parent Trap w/Hayley Mills o..."

Denise: Now I'm going to tell on myself - LOL! One summer my parents sent me off to camp (Camp Wi-Ta-Wen-Tin) and our cabin got in more trouble!! We were "at war" with another cabin and did everything short of cutting off dresses!!! After 4 weeks, the camp counselor called all the parents of Cabin 5 and had them come get us!! That is why I LOVE Parent Trap -- sometimes I cringe when I see them string the cabin, use that toothpaste, the bucket of water over the door...oh man, we did it all!! LOL!! My bad!! I know!! Anne

Kathryn wrote: "Anne wrote: "Kathryn, did Sy Thomasoff use specific colored candles for the Old House and then for Collinwood and a different color for Angelique and her spells?? We noticed Collinwood used deep cr..."

Thanks so much!! I will go on the hunt for it so I can give it to Barbara!!! Anne

Kathryn wrote: "Anne wrote: "Kathryn, we know there was a great camaraderie among the cast; it spilled over onto the screen (not just talking screen chemistry)...Were yall close like family off-screen...were there..."

Kathryn, I have My Scrapbook Memories of DS, but not Dark Shadows Memories...heading to Pomegranate Press right now to order it!! Anne

You know, like so many have said, how many people feel so closely related to a show the way most of us are to Dark Shadows? I am fifty now and I still love the show and am fascinated by it. A lot of it, is of course, the actresses and actors who worked in Dark Shadows. They were perfect and I think that is what made the series come alive for us!

Mike im 55 now and Dark Shadows will live forever in my heart thats how much i love it! Kathryn thank you so much for doing the Q&A for us and being a part of our lives!

Don wrote: "Mike im 55 now and Dark Shadows will live forever in my heart thats how much i love it! Kathryn thank you so much for doing the Q&A for us and being a part of our lives!"

Hey Mike and Don!! I'm 55 too and I will never give up my Dark Shadows!! It's like a childhood friend that was (and is) always there for me!!! Anne

Kathryn wrote: "Anne wrote: "Kathryn, we know there was a great camaraderie among the cast; it spilled over onto the screen (not just talking screen chemistry)...Were yall close like family off-screen...were there..."

Shortsheeted!! LOL!! Anne

Anne, I think you said it best when you said, "It's like a childhood friend that was(as is) always there for me!" Thank you for stating it so effectively!

Mike wrote: "Anne, I think you said it best when you said, "It's like a childhood friend that was(as is) always there for me!" Thank you for stating it so effectively!"

Mike, it's the best way I could describe the show and my attachment to it!! Thanks!! Anne

Anne wrote: "Don wrote: "Mike im 55 now and Dark Shadows will live forever in my heart thats how much i love it! Kathryn thank you so much for doing the Q&A for us and being a part of our lives!"

Hey Mike and ..."

And I'm 54 (almost 55). But, then, I guess anyone who was old enough to watch Dark Shadows and be a fan when it was originally broadcast must be around that same age!

Denise wrote: "Anne wrote: "Don wrote: "Mike im 55 now and Dark Shadows will live forever in my heart thats how much i love it! Kathryn thank you so much for doing the Q&A for us and being a part of our lives!"

..."

My son Chance is always complaining that we got the BEST of TV -- Dark Shadows, Star Trek, etc..I told him it wasn't our fault that no one in his generation has an original idea or can write!! LOL Anne

Kathryn, in the famous scene where Barnabas comes after Josette and she runs to Widow's Hill -- do you think it was an accident that she went over the cliff or a deliberate decision on her part?? I know she did not want to be a vampire and was repulsed by what Barnabas had become but I have often wondered if she was just trying to get away from him or if she really meant to kill herself...What are your thoughts??

Anne wrote: "Kathryn, in the famous scene where Barnabas comes after Josette and she runs to Widow's Hill -- do you think it was an accident that she went over the cliff or a deliberate decision on her part?? I..."
I'm sure I had it figured out at the time but can't remember the motivation now . . . besides, I wouldn't want to discourage all the speculation! Any of the options mentioned are valid.

Kathryn,

I recently started the Dark Shadows series and am completely captivated. Since I am not very far into the series as of yet, I was wondering why you are known as Josette Dupres instead of Josette Collins, after the ominous painting. Also, the little ghost girl, Sarah Collins, is she Barnabus' sister? If so, is her death explained later in the show? I am really enjoying your performance as Maggie Evans.

Robin wrote: "Kathryn,

I recently started the Dark Shadows series and am completely captivated. Since I am not very far into the series as of yet, I was wondering why you are known as Josette Dupres instead of ..."
Welcome, Robin. Keep watching and all will be explained! DuPres is Josette's maiden name. She's a countess from the island of Martinique and travels with her ladies' maid, Angelique, and her father, Andre, to marry Barnabas Collins, who has a sister, Sarah.

Andrew wrote: "Kathryn

Hello from London - not too far from Cadogan Square!

I am interested in the story arc for Barnabas Collins from the orignal show. I am Currently re-watching the episodes when Maggie fi..."

Andy: Cadogan Square!! That is so cool!! Anne

Kathryn wrote: "Robin wrote: "Kathryn,

I recently started the Dark Shadows series and am completely captivated. Since I am not very far into the series as of yet, I was wondering why you are known as Josette Dupr..."

My 13-year-old niece are really getting involved in the series and hope to purchase the complete DVD collection. As everyone knows, your soap opera was cancelled in the early 1970s. What is your opinion on the long-running ABC soap operas "All My Children" and "One Life to Live" being cancelled recently? Do you think that the soap opera empire is coming to its end, and reality TV will take it's place?

Robin wrote: "Kathryn wrote: "Robin wrote: "Kathryn,

I recently started the Dark Shadows series and am completely captivated. Since I am not very far into the series as of yet, I was wondering why you are known..."
I have never watched soap operas and am not familiar with those shows. It appears that chat shows and reality shows, both so much cheaper to produce, will fill the void. But how many more "take it to the judge" shows do we really need?