Sam Hall Movies
Produced by Dan "Dark Shadows" Curtis, this TV adaptation of Mary Shelley's classic spine-chiller Frankenstein remains fairly faithful to its source. Robert Foxworth stars as Dr. Victor Frankenstein, who comes to grief when he "plays God" by creating a human being from spare body parts. The monster, played by Bo Svenson, is doomed from the start, not only by fate but by his inherited homicidal nature. Susan Strasberg and Heidi Vaughn co-star as the two unfortunate women in Dr. Frankenstein's life. Originally telecast in two parts on ABC's late-night Wide World of Mystery anthology, Frankenstein debuted January 16 and 17, 1973. It was later pared down to a traditional two-hour, single-part TV movie. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Robert Foxworth, Susan Strasberg, (more)
- 1971
This is the second full-length motion picture feature based on the popular television soap-opera/horror melodrama Dark Shadows. The first film was House of Dark Shadows. This film lacks the grand guignol glee provided by Jonathan Frid and Joan Bennet. However, it has a new storyline, not a rehash of one previously explored in the television series. Here, artist Charles Collins (David Selby, who performed the same part in the TV series) brings his new bride to live in the family mansion, which he has just inherited. The gentle and sensitive young Collins, the last of his clan, has troubled sleep. He dreams of the past, of his family, and of the house. Perhaps his dreams are not just dreams? Increasingly deranged by these visions, it begins to look like he will re-enact the atrocities committed by his family in the past. It is interesting to note that the film uses the mansion of 1890s railroad robber/baron Jay Gould for its setting. ~ Clarke Fountain, Rovi
- 1971
Bramwell (Jonathan Frid) and Catherine (Lara Parker) survive their night in the dreaded room, and in the process defeat the ghost of Brutus Collins (Louis Edmonds) and break the family curse. But upon emerging from the room, the couple faces death at the hands of Morgan (Keith Prentice), whose hands are stayed by Kendrick (John Karlen). Recovering from her madness, Melanie (Nancy Barrett) leaves Collinwood with Kendrick, and Bramwell and Catherine likewise go off together. A satisfying denouement for all, except Morgan, who dies, and possibly Melanie, whose neck bears a set of all-too-familiar red marks. And thus, with several plot strands left dangling and with the cast still locked into the "Parallel Time" version of 1841, did the five-year saga of Dark Shadows come to an abrupt end on April 2, 1971. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1971
Joanna (Lee Beery) helps Quentin (David Selby) and Desmond (John Karlen) escape from jail. She also, reluctantly, admits that Quentin would be happier with Daphne -- who is now missing. In the forbidden wing of Collinwood, Gabriel (Christopher Pennock) peers into Parallel Time and witnesses the apparent murder of Stella Young (Gaye Edmond). This episode was originally broadcast on January 14, 1971. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1971
As he prepares to kill Daphne (Kate Jackson), Gabriel (Christopher Pennock) is stopped by the ghost of his father, Daniel (Louis Edmonds). So unnerved is Gabriel that he plummets off the roof of Collinwood to his death. Joanna (Lee Beery) sends the escaping Daphne and Quentin (David Selby) on their way, blessing their love for one another. In Parallel Time, Julia Collins (Grayson Hall) lies to Kendrick Young (John Karlen) -- who closely resembles the "real time" Desmond Collins -- concerning the whereabouts of Kendrick's sister, Stella. This episode first aired on January 18, 1971. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1971
Quentin (David Selby) persuades Daphne (Kate Jackson) to put off her marriage to Gerard (James Storm) until the outcome of his trial. Meanwhile, Gerard arranges the death of Mordecai Grimes (Thayer David), but not before securing a letter in which Mordecai accuses Quentin of witchcraft. This episode initially aired on January 7, 1971. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1971
Samantha (Virginia Vestoff) is astounded that Joanna Mills (Lee Beery) has showed up to testify on Quentin's behalf, especially since it was Samantha who killed Joanna by pushing her off the cliff at Widow's Hill. Using his powers, Gerard (James Storm) again persuades Daphne (Kate Jackson) that she wants to marry him. This episode originally aired on January 5, 1971. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1971
Although gratified that his former sweetheart, Joanna Mills (Lee Beery), has apparently returned from the dead, Quentin (David Selby) remains in love with Joanna's sister, Daphne (Kate Jackson). Alas, Daphne now thinks she wants to marry Gerard (James Storm), thanks to Gerard's strategic application of witchcraft. This episode first aired on January 6, 1971. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1971
Suffering from amnesia, Melanie (Nancy Barrett) thinks that she might have stabbed Stella -- and fearing the worst, Morgan (Keith Prentice) disposes of Stella's body. As yet unaware of the murder, Stella's brother, Kendrick (John Karlen), falls in love with Melanie, but she mournfully informs him to leave without her. Though Catherine (Lara Parker) still intends to marry Morgan, she finds herself attracted to her former suitor Bramwell (Jonathan Frid). This episode first aired on February 5, 1971. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1971
Following Julia (Grayson Hall) to the tower room, Melanie (Nancy Barrett) finds the missing Stella Young (Gaye Edmond), bound hand and foot. Flora (Joan Bennett) explains that the family was forced to imprison Stella because she threatened to call the authorities after the late Justin Collins tried to kill her. Melanie promises to release Stella if she stays mum -- but a few hours after Justin's funeral, Stella is found stabbed to death. This episode originally aired on February 4, 1971. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1971
Bramwell (Jonathan Frid) interrupts the wedding ceremony between Catherine (Lara Parker) and Morgan (Keith Prentice). Outraged, Morgan challenges Barnabas to a duel. Very much caught in the middle, Catherine vows to kill herself if Bramwell kills Morgan. Upon discovering that she was adopted into the Collins family, Melanie (Nancy Barrett) decides to look for her real parents. This episode initially aired on February 8, 1971. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1971
Justin Collins (David Hurst) dies just after instructing Morgan (Keith Prentice) to hold the dreaded Collins lottery. In this way, one member of the family will be chosen to spend the night in a locked room; if that person survives a visitation from the mysterious Woman in White, the curse of the Collinses will be lifted. Gabriel Collins (Christopher Pennock), the family wastrel, is terrified that he will be the chosen one. Officially the 1,200th episode of Dark Shadows (actually 1,183 due to numerous network preemptions), this installment originally aired on January 29, 1971. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1971
Stripping Valerie -- aka Angelique (Lara Parker) -- of her witch's powers, Gerard (James Storm) kidnaps her and places her in the custody of his cohort, Charles (James Storm). She manages to kill her captor and escape, just as the doomed Quentin is approaching the headsman's chopping block. In Parallel Time, the seriously ill Justin Collins (David Hurst) warns Catherine (also Lara Parker) against marrying Morgan. This episode originally aired on January 25, 1971. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1971
In the parallel time version of 1841, Catherine (Lara Parker) blissfully prepares to wed Morgan (Keith Prentice), but Julia (Grayson Hall) warns her not to do so until Justin dies and the mysterious lottery can be held. It is explained that every 100 years, a selected member of the Collins family must spend the night in a locked room, as a means of breaking the curse that has plagued the family for centuries. Meanwhile, Catherine's ex-sweetheart, Bramwell (Jonathan Frid), is more determined than ever to win back her love whether she likes it or not. This episode originally aired on January 28, 1971. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1971
At last realizing he is truly in love with Angelique (Lara Parker) , Barnabas (Jonathan Frid) must stand by in heartbroken helplessness as she dies of gunshot wounds administered by the vengeful Lamar Trask (Jerry Lacy). Stabbed by Barnabas, Lamar survives just long enough to escape into parallel time, where his body is disposed of by the "other" Julia (Grayson Hall) and Flora (Joan Bennett). On a happier note, Desmond (John Karlen) and Leticia (Nancy Barrett) announce their engagement, while the real-time Julia (also Grayson Hall) and Prof. Stokes (Thayer David) escort Barnabas up the Time Staircase and back to the Collinwood of 1971 -- where, thanks to the revised events of 1841, everything has returned to normal. Originally telecast on January 27, 1971, this episode marked the end of the "modern" continuity of Dark Shadows -- though there was still plenty of intrigue awaiting viewers in the parallel time version of 1841. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1971
As Daphne (Kate Jackson) prepares to leave Collinsport with Quentin (David Selby), she is inexorably drawn back by the demonic powers of Gerard (James Storm), who again convinces her to marry him. In Parallel Time, Melanie (Nancy Barrett) and the "other" Flora (Joan Bennett) discuss a bizarre "lottery," to be held in the event of a violent death at Collinwood. This episode first aired on January 21, 1971. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1971
After stabbing Kendrick (John Karlen), the maddened Gabriel (Christopher Pennock) runs off, with Morgan (Keith Prentice) in pursuit. Later, Gabriel attempts to kill Daphne (Kate Jackson) -- who already has enough problems as the "consolation sweetheart" of the embittered Bramwell (Jonathan Frid). This episode initially aired on February 23, 1971. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1971
The corpse found in the cursed room is not that of Gabriel, but of an unfortunate villager named Tim Braithwaite (John Kuhner), who was bribed to take Gabriel's place. The ghost of Justin Collins (David Hurst) demands that the lottery must be held again, or the curse of the Collins family will never be lifted. This episode originally aired on February 19, 1971. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1971
Catching up with the cowardly Gabriel (Christopher Pennock), Morgan (Keith Prentice) orders him to return to Collinwood and fulfill his family obligation by spending the night in the cursed room. His "courage" fortified by liquor, Gabriel allows Morgan and Julia to lock himself in the room -- but will he beat the odds and survive the night? This episode initially aired on February 17, 1971. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1971
During a séance, an unfriendly spirit warns that the Collins family will be destroyed by plague unless the dreaded lottery is held. Catherine (Lara Parker) wants to have children, but Morgan (Keith Prentice) vetoes this idea, worried that the Collins curse will be carried to later generations. Meanwhile, the unwelcome Barnabas (Jonathan Frid) continues to stay at Collinwood, and Melanie (Nancy Barrett) experiences a horrible dream -- which apparently comes true. This episode originally aired on February 12, 1971. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1970
Leticia (Nancy Barrett) finds the head of Judah Zachary (Michael McGuire) in Desmond's room. Later, Lamar Trask (Jerry Lacy) prevails upon Leticia to locate the body of his father, but Barnabas (Jonathan Frid) prevents Lamar from learning who was responsible for the elder Trask's death. And after being forced to reveal the whereabouts of Zachary's body, Otis Greene (Abe Vigoda), the Head's former "slave," drops dead. This episode first aired on October 15, 1970. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1970
Lamar (Jerry Lacy), Flora (Joan Bennett), and Gerard (James Storm) hold a séance to contact the ghost of Lamar's father, the infamous Reverend Trask. Hired by Desmond (John Karlen) to help move the coffin containing the decapitated body of Judah Zachary, Tim Braithwaite (Dick Sabol) meets his doom when he tries to remove the jewel-encrusted mask from the coffin -- while the headless body gets up and walks off on its own accord! This episode was originally telecast on October 19, 1970. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1970
After ordering Samantha (Virginia Vestoff) to remain in Collinwood with son Tad, Quentin (David Selby) reveals the story of Judah Zachary to Barnabas (Jonathan Frid). Knowing what terrors await in the future, Julia (Grayson Hall) tries to persuade Daphne (Kate Jackson) not to accept the job of new governess at Collinwood. And everybody's nemesis, the beautiful sorceress Angelique (Lara Parker), makes a return appearance. This episode initially aired on October 22, 1970. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1970
Returning to Collinwood (and, evidently, from the dead!), Angelique (Lara Parker) and her servant Laszlo (Michael Stroka) make a beeline to Barnabas' coffin -- only to find the coffin open and Barnabas (Jonathan Frid) missing. Possessed by the head of Judah Zachary, Leticia (Nancy Barrett) returns Judah's body to its underground hiding place. This episode was initially telecast on October 23, 1970. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1970
Identifying herself as Barnabas' wife Valerie Collins, Angelique (Lara Parker) wipes out Daniel's (Louis Edmonds) memories of his terrifying earlier encounters with her. Unfortunately, Angelique has no foreknowledge of what lies ahead for her, and thus tries to rekindle her romance with Barnabas (Jonathan Frid). And Julia (Grayson Hall) learns that Judah Zachary has placed a curse on Collinwood. This episode originally aired on October 26, 1970. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
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