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| Number |
333 |
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| Broadcast |
October 10, 1967 |
| Recorded |
October 5, 1967 |
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| We have 4 images of Dark Shadows 337 | |
Dr. Woodard discovers the truth about Barnabas.
Synopsis
Teaser
- Another night has come, and we at Collinwood go on fearing for the state of mind of young David Collins. He has told us the terrifying secrets he knows, and we have not believed him. But there is someone who does believe him, and before this night is over, that someone will be a step closer to the truth - and thus a step closer to the valley of death.
The elderly Caretaker of Eagle Hill Cemetery goes about his business in the chapel. He receives an unexpected visit from Dr. Dave Woodard. Woodard inquires about the curse on the Collins Family Tomb of which the Caretaker once spoke.
Act I
The Caretaker tells Dr. Woodard that no one can divulge the secret of the curse. Woodard persists, reminding the old man about the journal of Joshua Collins. The Caretaker assures him that reading the journal would be a waste of time, as it does not specify what the curse is. Woodard believes the curse is tied to the Collinsport Strangler. The Caretaker agrees to allow him access to the Collins Family records; he gathers several old tomes for Woodard to read. Meanwhile, Barnabas Collins is leaving Collinwood after a visit and encounters Roger Collins on his way out. They discuss David's state of mind, and Barnabas learns that Roger intends to send David away from Collinsport. Back at the chapel, the Caretaker finds an entry on Sarah Collins, and he mentions the astonishing resemblance between Barnabas Collins and his 18th century "ancestor." The night he encountered Barnabas in the cemetery made him believe the "original" Barnabas had come back to life.
Act II
Woodard learns that the "original" Barnabas moved to England after recovering from a strange fever. On the exact same day that Barnabas departed, Joshua ordered the mausoleum built, away from the other Collins Family graves. Woodard surmises that Barnabas never went to England in the first place, nor did he ever leave Collinsport. At Collinwood, Roger and Elizabeth Collins Stoddard are in the middle of a heated discussion concerning David. Elizabeth dismisses the idea of enrolling her nephew in a military school in Boston. Roger threatens to send David away without Elizabeth's approval; Elizabeth threatens to throw Roger out of Collinwood if that happens. Roger begrudgingly backs down, but he tells his sister he will send David off to military school if Dr. Fisher is unable to help him. They are interrupted by a knock at the door; it is Woodard. He pauses and stares at the Portrait of Barnabas. He notes how the eyes seem alive.
Act III
Roger asks Woodard of his opinion of Fisher and wonders if the psychiatrist will be able to help David. As Roger tries to persuade Woodard toward his idea of military school, Elizabeth returns with David. She and Roger leave the pair alone to talk in the drawing room. David is delighted to hear that Woodard believes him and has met Sarah. Woodard intends to do more investigating. David wonders if Barnabas is dead. Woodard is not sure; the thought of what Barnabas might be frightens him. David promises to keep their talk a secret while Woodard gathers more proof.
Act IV
Later, at the Old House, Barnabas is surprised to receive a visit from Woodard. He is unsettled to learn Woodard believes David's so-called tall tales. Woodard surmises that there is a strong motive for David to start telling "lies" about Barnabas. He continues to drive his point home until Barnabas loses his cool and angrily snaps. Woodard reveals that he saw Barnabas' sister Sarah earlier. Barnabas is momentarily speechless, but he quickly recovers and wonders if Woodard is suffering from delusions. Barnabas kicks Woodard out, clearly distressed by the doctor's claims.
Memorable quotes
- Dr. Woodard: Don't you worry, David. Nothing's going to happen to me.
- Barnabas: I've been rewarded with one slap in the face after the other.
Dramatis personae
- Joan Bennett as Elizabeth Collins Stoddard
- Louis Edmonds as Roger Collins
- Jonathan Frid as Barnabas Collins
- Peter Turgeon as Dave Woodard
- Peter Murphy as Caretaker
- David Henesy as David Collins
Background information and notes
Production
- Peter Murphy takes over the role of the caretaker from Daniel F. Keyes, who was replaced at this point as he refused to resume work on the show while the NABET/AFTRA strike was still ongoing.
Story
- Barnabas is wearing his onyx ring on the right hand again, it having previously been seen on the left.
- TIMELINE: It was this afternoon when Dr. Woodard talked to Dr. Fisher. It was that night when Woodard encountered Sarah's ghost.
Bloopers and continuity errors
- In the opening narration, Joan Bennett uses the first person ("we," "us") as if she's speaking in character as Elizabeth. However, by this point in the series, the narrations were no longer being spoken in character.
- When Dr. Woodard is reading the cover story about Barnabas in the Collins family journals, he says it's strange that both he and his sister (Sarah) would be afflicted with the fever (which is what the journal says). However, any normal person, let alone a doctor, would not be surprised that a close relative living in the same house would catch the same disease.
- Dr. Woodard reads in the Collins family journals that on the day Barnabas "left for England," Joshua ordered that the mausoleum be built at Eagle Hill Cemetery. However, later in the 1795 story line, it will be established that the mausoleum was built during the Revolutionary War and that the secret room was used to hide family jewels and ammunition.
- A boom microphone shadow can be seen on the wall when Dr. Woodard pays a visit to Collinwood. Shortly afterward, the camera reveals the edge of the set when Woodard gazes at the portrait of Barnabas.
- The shadow of a camera can be seen on the floor when Dr. Woodard visits Barnabas at the Old House. Peter Turgeon stumbles over the dialogue shortly after.
- During the conversation between Dr. Woodard and Barnabas when Barnabas sits down, a candle falls out of the candle holder behind Barnabas. Shortly after Dr. Woodard pronounces Barnabas as "Barnabies." [After the candle falls out the shot tightens and we should discount further errors in this scene since a stagehand may literally be crawling across the floor, just out of view of the cameras, trying to retrieve the lit candle before a fire starts.]
- There is also a long pause after Barnabas delivers the line "I've been rewarded with one slap in the face after the other" before Woodard stands and speaks again. In the next episode more lines follow this from Barnabas, so Peter Turgeon was most likely waiting for a spoken line that never came for his cue to continue. The expression on Frid's face makes it look like he is trying not to react to his own forgetting of his lines. [Or worrying about a stagehand/fire, see above.]
External links
Dark Shadows - Episode 337 on the IMDb
Dark Shadows Every Day - Episode 337 - Time to Kill
The Dark Shadows Daybook - Episode 337