Q&A with Kathryn Leigh Scott discussion

Welcome, Kathryn! I was so excited to see this Q&A was coming up! I have been a huge Dark Shadows fan since I first watched it in junior high. I came to the series some ways into it - when I started watching it, Quentin was a zombie, but years later I managed to see the entire series from the start to the finish. I remember being on vacation with my family and having hysterics because we wouldn't be back at the hotel in time to watch Dark Shadows! One friend's mother wouldn't let her watch, so we would talk on the phone every day while it was on, and I would tell her what was happening. Another friend went to summer camp with no TV access, so every week I would write to her, giving a summary of each day's episode. Of course, I was in love with Quentin!

I wanted to welcome you, Kathryn, and thank you so much for becoming the historian for this wonderful series. I have three of your books already, and this new one looks great, too.



To prove what a Dark Shadows dork I am, I actually have this photo (which I took) in a frame on my nightstand!

Dear Denise:

Thanks for your lovely message! What a nice way to kick off this Author Q&A and I hope you'll contribute to other threads. I'm sure your family was mighty upset at you (and me!) for making them cut short their visit every day. I love how you were bestowed with the responsibility of providing a synopsis to everyone. I hope you will enjoy Dark Shadows: Return to Collinwood -- I think it will bring back many happy memories as well as shed light on other aspects of the different series and features over the years.

Best regards,

Kathryn

Denise, that is a cool picture!!!! I know how you felt as a Dark Shadows fanatic. I was the same way. I actually changed Girl Scout troops to one that met on the weekend instead of one that met after school because it would make me miss Dark Shadows and that was entirely out of the question.There was no VCR or DVR available to tape the show then Almost all of the kids at my school felt the same way. My dad picked me up from school and brought me home and even my parents got hooked on the show. My mother thought Jonathan Frid was hot and my dad thought Kathryn was hot.

i still have all my pictures, scrapbooks , magazines all the stuff i could collect its in my closet its funny i will not part with any of it. i ran home from school like so many and this show took away so much bad stuff from my life. It was the best part of the day even the phone was off the hook.

I have the above picture on a mouse pad. It is amazing how huge the mansion is. I read a while back that a couple is restoring it. I can't imagine the magnitude of that task. Ghost Hunters did an investigation there and had some experiences.

I'd love to tour that house. I envy you, Helene. I wish I still had my magazines and scrapbooks and those Dark Shadows novels. We lost them in a house fire years ago.

I downloaded the dark shadows theme music and now it's my phone ring tone! Yes, I'm a Dark Shadows dork too!

Terri Lynn wrote: "I'd love to tour that house. I envy you, Helene. I wish I still had my magazines and scrapbooks and those Dark Shadows novels. We lost them in a house fire years ago."

oh i am so sorry that happened did you try ebay or amazon

Mrs. Scott!!! I am a hue fan! I still have my almost 200 vhs! And still watch them! Your book Dark Shadows Return to Collinwood is wonderful! I also came upon a magazine! Excellent condition! I never knew there were books etc. I guess my parent didnt tell me cause they couldnt afford to buy them. But I wanted to ask, how difficult was it playing all those roles? It must have gotten confusing at some point! You were simply amazing & a lovely wonderful actress & book writer! I am trying to make it to Tarrytown this year! Hopefully!

Your work is wonderful!!! Can wait to get your other books! Like you said to Denise, this book HAS brought back so many wonderful memories! I commend your work Mrs. Scott!

Helene wrote: "Terri Lynn wrote: "I'd love to tour that house. I envy you, Helene. I wish I still had my magazines and scrapbooks and those Dark Shadows novels. We lost them in a house fire years ago."

oh i am s..."
No, I hadn't thought of that. Thanks, Helene! I bet I could find replacements on Ebay. I recently managed to snag a replacement for my Girl Scout Handbooks from the 1960's and 1970's on there.

Cindy wrote: "Mrs. Scott!!! I am a hue fan! I still have my almost 200 vhs! And still watch them! Your book Dark Shadows Return to Collinwood is wonderful! I also came upon a magazine! Excellent condition..."

There were paperback novels festuring the characters back in the 1970's and maybe the 1960's. My parents owned a bookstore and they knew that when a new one came in that I had to have a copy! At first they tried to tell me I had to read carefully so they could sell the books but quickly learned I would not part with the books so they let me keep them.

Oh yes you can find them on ebay or esty.com!

Kathryn wrote: "Dear Denise:

Thanks for your lovely message! What a nice way to kick off this Author Q&A and I hope you'll contribute to other threads. I'm sure your family was mighty upset at you (and me!) for m..."

Kathryn, thank you so much for the gracious response! Yes, I'm afraid that my parents did not exactly understand my obsession! I will definitely be getting your new book and I'm sure I will enjoy it just as much as I have enjoyed the others!

Terri Lynn wrote: "Denise, that is a cool picture!!!! I know how you felt as a Dark Shadows fanatic. I was the same way. I actually changed Girl Scout troops to one that met on the weekend instead of one that met aft..."

Hi Terri Lynn, yes, isn't it great that we have means to record shows now? When I first got the Sci Fi channel on cable, they were running Dark Shadows, two episodes a day, around noontime. I set up my VCR to tape it every day, and when I got home, the first thing I did to unwind was to watch that day's episodes! It was great being able to see the entire series that way. I think I had never seen the early episodes with Vicki before.

I was so excited to see "Collinwood" in person! I was on a trip to Newport with a friend, and when I looked at a tourist map, I noticed a reference to the Dark Shadows mansion. I could not rest until we found it! It was a bit tricky to find, and we made several wrong turns, but I would not give up until I had seen it. Every time I have been to Newport since, I have made a point to go by there.

Lisa wrote: "I have the above picture on a mouse pad. It is amazing how huge the mansion is. I read a while back that a couple is restoring it. I can't imagine the magnitude of that task. Ghost Hunters did an i..."

Really, is it in private hands now? I haven't been to Newport in some years, but when I saw it, it was part of a college. I wondered whether it was a dorm, classroom space, or what.

Helene wrote: "i still have all my pictures, scrapbooks , magazines all the stuff i could collect its in my closet its funny i will not part with any of it. i ran home from school like so many and this show too..."

I wish I knew what happened to my memorabilia. They may be gone, or perhaps they are still at my parents' somewhere. I had a scrapbook where I pasted articles and pictures from 16 magazine (although half the scrapbook was also dedicated to The Partridge Family!), several heavy stock large photos (not quite as large as a poster) with green borders of Barnabas, Angelique, Chris Jennings, and I forget who the fourth one was - those were taped to my bedroom closet doors, and a collection of posters from the bubble gum. I do know that I have all my Gothic paperbacks (the gold covers with the oval pictures) by Marion Ross in a box somewhere around here. I have most of the series, plus others like Barnabas Collins in a Funny Vein, a book of photos, and even a cookbook (I remember making popovers from a recipe in it)! I also still have the LP of the music; sometimes I play it at Halloween. And, of course, as I mentioned, I have several of Kathryn's books.

What I always wanted but never got, though, was the plastic replica of Josette's music box! I remember it was advertised in the back of magazines. I loved that music, and the music box was so pretty!

I've also run across the lawn at Collinwood, stood on the cliffs overlooking the rocks, eaten at The Black Pearl (aka The Blue Whale), and sat on the front porch at the Essex Inn (aka Collinsport Inn) at Essex, CT. And if I was out shopping with my mother when the show was on, I would just find the TV dept of the store, and stay there there till the show was over!

And my 1970 Josette's Music Box still works.
Denise M.

Denise wrote: "Lisa wrote: "I have the above picture on a mouse pad. It is amazing how huge the mansion is. I read a while back that a couple is restoring it. I can't imagine the magnitude of that task. Ghost Hun..."

It was purchased by Martin and Millicent Carey in 1974 and renamed from Seaview Terrace to the Carey Mansion. They immediately began to restore it. Because of the upkeep they leased the main house to Salve Regina University. When the lease expired in August 2009 the Carey's daughter Denise and her fiance Christopher Bettencourt moved in and are continuing renovations.

Thanks for the information on Carey Mansion, Lisa. That is the name I remember seeing for it. I guess it was in the 90s that I saw it a few times.

Denise wrote: "I've also run across the lawn at Collinwood, stood on the cliffs overlooking the rocks, eaten at The Black Pearl (aka The Blue Whale), and sat on the front porch at the Essex Inn (aka Collinsport I..."

I envy you! I have always loved visiting places where some of my favorite television shows or movies were filmed. Dark Shadows was such a large part of everyone's life then, and what's great, it still is!

Did you hear that and the other mansions were called "summer cottages" by the wealthy people who built them to escape the city?! Wonder what their regular homes looked like?

Just found there is a Facebook page for Carey Mansion. All you can do is "Like" it. No discussion, but if you click on Wikipedia on same page it gives you more info. It does mention Dark Shadows.

Hello Kathryn, I have your book Dark Passages ready to read tonight...I started watching Dark Shadows from the very beginning, had my Navy husband hooked on it and then managed to get my two sons involved...lookinh forward to a good read!

Terri Lynn wrote: "Denise, that is a cool picture!!!! I know how you felt as a Dark Shadows fanatic. I was the same way. I actually changed Girl Scout troops to one that met on the weekend instead of one that met aft..."
Ha ha! I'm so glad Jonathan and I helped to keep your family satisfied!

Helene wrote: "i still have all my pictures, scrapbooks , magazines all the stuff i could collect its in my closet its funny i will not part with any of it. i ran home from school like so many and this show too..."
Wow, it sounds like you have a great collection!

Denise wrote: "Welcome, Kathryn! I was so excited to see this Q&A was coming up! I have been a huge Dark Shadows fan since I first watched it in junior high. I came to the series some ways into it - when I sta..."

Helene wrote: "Terri Lynn wrote: "I'd love to tour that house. I envy you, Helene. I wish I still had my magazines and scrapbooks and those Dark Shadows novels. We lost them in a house fire years ago."

oh i am s..."

Denise, I have that on a necklace!! A friend of mine made it for me (and one for my cousin Barbara)! WE get more requests from people wanting to know where we got it!! (Would be glad to share but don't know if it is allowed to post ebay sites.) I also have Josette's music box from 1970 (my brother Dale gave it to me) and all of the paperbacks and most of the DS concordances...also have several things from the TV series set...so lucky I didn't lose them in Hurricane Rita!! Anne

Kathryn wrote: "Terri Lynn wrote: "Denise, that is a cool picture!!!! I know how you felt as a Dark Shadows fanatic. I was the same way. I actually changed Girl Scout troops to one that met on the weekend instead ..."

Kathryn, our family was the same way!! My parents knew if Dark Shadows was on, nothing would get done until AFTER it was over...we did all our chores and all our homework but AFTER!!! Anne

Lisa wrote: "Did you hear that and the other mansions were called "summer cottages" by the wealthy people who built them to escape the city?! Wonder what their regular homes looked like?"

Lisa: I would hate to mop and DUST those places!! LOL!! Anne

Mike wrote: "Denise wrote: "I've also run across the lawn at Collinwood, stood on the cliffs overlooking the rocks, eaten at The Black Pearl (aka The Blue Whale), and sat on the front porch at the Essex Inn (ak..."

Denise, you're SOOO lucky!! What I wouldn't give to do that!! I live in south Louisiana so it's pretty far for me...Anne

Denise wrote: "I've also run across the lawn at Collinwood, stood on the cliffs overlooking the rocks, eaten at The Black Pearl (aka The Blue Whale), and sat on the front porch at the Essex Inn (aka Collinsport I..."

Denise, my 1970's Josette's music box works perfectly; it is sitting on my piano right now! Anne

Denise wrote: "Helene wrote: "i still have all my pictures, scrapbooks , magazines all the stuff i could collect its in my closet its funny i will not part with any of it. i ran home from school like so many an..."

Helene, you can look on ebay for the music box but most of those are from the 1991 reboot...I saw ONE of Josette's music box from 1970 on sale on ebay and it went for a whopping $795!!! Anne

Denise wrote: "Kathryn wrote: "Dear Denise:

Thanks for your lovely message! What a nice way to kick off this Author Q&A and I hope you'll contribute to other threads. I'm sure your family was mighty upset at you..."

Denise/Kathryn: my parents didn't understand my brother Dale's and my own obsession with it...but they let us enjoy it!! Wouldn't trade that time in my childhood for anything!! Anne

Anne wrote: "Mike wrote: "Denise wrote: "I've also run across the lawn at Collinwood, stood on the cliffs overlooking the rocks, eaten at The Black Pearl (aka The Blue Whale), and sat on the front porch at the ..."

I'm lucky enough to have a best friend who lives in Providence, RI, just an hour's drive from Newport, and she's as big a DS fan as I am. We haven't made it to Lyndhurst yet, but someday...and I' ve got the music box because my mom watched the show with me, and indulged me by buying me all the DS stuff we could find at that time.

Sandra wrote: "Hello Kathryn, I have your book Dark Passages ready to read tonight...I started watching Dark Shadows from the very beginning, had my Navy husband hooked on it and then managed to get my two sons i..."

Thanks Sandra! I hope you will enjoy it. Let me know what you think.

Denise wrote: "Anne wrote: "Mike wrote: "Denise wrote: "I've also run across the lawn at Collinwood, stood on the cliffs overlooking the rocks, eaten at The Black Pearl (aka The Blue Whale), and sat on the front ..."

Denise: my mom tried to sell my DS paperbacks at a garage sale...I found out in time to get them back and distinctly remember shouting (my bad!!) at her that she could sell my Barbies, my headbands, my posters,ANYTHING but my DS stuff....lol

Kathryn, I have a question for you...The sets on DS look huge on the screen but in your books you have said they were actually quite small. I know yall filmed in a small building and had it all to yourselves...about what size WAS the drawing room in Collinwood?? I had a chance to buy the rug from the drawing room but passed on it because I have all wood floors and NO RUGS!! And do you feel that being in that building all by yourselves helped in some way to create that camaraderie that comes across on the screen?? Was that a factor in helping yall go way beyond pushing the envelope?? Anne

Anne wrote: "Kathryn, I have a question for you...The sets on DS look huge on the screen but in your books you have said they were actually quite small. I know yall filmed in a small building and had it all to ..."

The sets were massive looking but entirely in proportion and all squeezed into a modestly sized studio space. For more information, check the Dark Shadows Almanac and read what designer Sy Tomashoff has to say about our sets and studio. Having our own studio and not sharing it with another show certainly contributed to our family atmosphere.

Kathryn wrote: "Anne wrote: "Kathryn, I have a question for you...The sets on DS look huge on the screen but in your books you have said they were actually quite small. I know yall filmed in a small building and h..."

Will do!! I have (of course) the Dark Shadows Almanac but haven't read it in awhile...Thanks!! Anne

Denise wrote: "Helene wrote: "i still have all my pictures, scrapbooks , magazines all the stuff i could collect its in my closet its funny i will not part with any of it. i ran home from school like so many an..."

Helene!! Someone has the 1970 replica of Josette's music box listed on ebay right now (11PM, 5/31)!!! (It's $299 but the only other one I have ever seen listed sold for $795!) Check it out -- maybe you can make a "best offer" or something!! Anne

Mrs. Scott! I just finished Return to Collinwood! What a wonderful book! I can't say I have a favorite part! The whole book is so interesting on how you got the part etc! I truly loved it! I couldnt put it down!

I will be sending it to you soon to autograph it for me! I am so excited! And I will be getting your other books too! Believe me when I say I am NOT a reader! I loved it! You really put a good perspective on how things work on the set!

Thank you so much!
Cindy

Cindy wrote: "Mrs. Scott! I just finished Return to Collinwood! What a wonderful book! I can't say I have a favorite part! The whole book is so interesting on how you got the part etc! I truly loved it! I ..." You made my day Cindy! Thanks so much for the kind thoughts.

Terri Lynn wrote: "I'd love to tour that house. I envy you, Helene. I wish I still had my magazines and scrapbooks and those Dark Shadows novels. We lost them in a house fire years ago."

Teri, that's so sad that you lost it all in a fire!! I have all the paperbacks, all of Kathryn's books, three of David's books, DS Concordances, autographed photos, B&W photos, color photos, script copies, and several pieces that were actually used on the set!! My brother Dale gave me the 1970 Josette music box (he ordered it out of his Famous Monsters of Filmland magazine) and right now it is sitting on my piano in perfect condition...it is the one DS thing I DO take when I have to evacuate for a hurricane!! (Because my brother gave it to me and that makes it very very special.) I just ordered and received a book from Kathryn's publishing house, Pomegranate Press...the Dark Shadows Music Book -- it's wonderful!! Not only does it have ALL of the music they used on the TV show but music from both HODS and NODS!! And it is filled with fabulous photos!! If you play the piano (or even guitar) I highly recommend it!!! Anne

I do love dark shadows watched it wayy back when it was first on..I really do ADMIRE all the cast..Jonathan Frid was awesome as Barnabas..I can see where he'd do Shakespeare !!! I love his telling Vickie the history of the OLD HOUSE and the story of JOSSETES death You all were great..all the supporting cast PROVED they could so the show when the movies were being done and a lot of the major cast was out ..still and supporting cast more than carried the show..and hear all of you worked together and were friends you had a BOND..nothing will ever replace or redo dark shadows ..

Anne wrote: "Terri Lynn wrote: "I'd love to tour that house. I envy you, Helene. I wish I still had my magazines and scrapbooks and those Dark Shadows novels. We lost them in a house fire years ago."

Teri, tha..."
If you want the soundtracks from HODS or NODS as mp3 files, you can get them either at iTunes or Rhino Records (the latter will not only download directly to your ITunes account, but actually has options for buying higher quality mp3 files than ITunes does). The CDs are no longer available, unless you want to pay around $50 to Australian sellers on eBay, and I refuse to do that. One can hope the soundtracks will be re-released on CD when the DVD is released, or perhaps be playable as a special feature on the DVD, but I doubt that will happen.