Night of Dark Shadows (1971)

Director:

Dan Curtis

Writers:

Dan Curtis (story)
Sam Hall (screenplay)
(more)

Release Date:

4 August 1971 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Horror | Mystery | Romance | Thriller

Tagline:

Death kept their love alive.

Plot:

A painter and his wife move into a home and find themselves plagued by ghosts and spirits of his ancestors that used to be witches. |

Plot Keywords:

Ancestor | Ghost | Bride | Mansion | Occult

Cast

David Selby	...	Quentin Collins / Charles Collins
Grayson Hall	...	Carlotta Drake
Kate Jackson	...	Tracy Collins
Lara Parker	...	Angelique Collins
John Karlen	...	Alex Jenkins
Nancy Barrett	...	Claire Jenkins
Jim Storm	...	Gerard Stiles (as James Storm)
Thayer David	...	Rev. Strack
Christopher Pennock	...	Gabriel Collins
Diana Millay	...	Laura Collins
Monica Rich	...	Sarah Castle
Clarice Blackburn	...	Mrs. Castle
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Captain Haggerty	...	Bald Henchman (uncredited)
Robert Singer	...	Henchman (uncredited)

Directed by
Dan Curtis

Writing credits (in alphabetical order)
Dan Curtis		story
Sam Hall		screenplay
Sam Hall		story

Produced by
Dan Curtis	....	producer
George Goodman	....	associate producer
Trevor Williams	....	associate producer

Original Music by
Bob Cobert		(as Robert Cobert)

Cinematography by
Richard Shore

Film Editing by
Charles Goldsmith

Casting by
Linda Otto

Production Design by
Trevor Williams

Costume Design by
Domingo A. Rodriguez		(as Domingo Rodriguez)

Makeup Department
Reginald Tackley	....	makeup artist
Edith Tilles	....	hair dresser

Production Management
George Goodman	....	production supervisor

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Stanley Panesoff	....	assistant director
Allan Wertheim	....	second assistant director

Sound Department
John H. Bolz	....	sound (as John Bolz)
Al Gramaglia	....	sound

Stunts
Alex Stevens	....	stunt coordinator
George Fisher	....	stunts (uncredited)
Joe Pronto	....	stunts (uncredited)

Camera and Electrical Department
Louis Gerolomi	....	special lighting effects
Ronald M. Lautore	....	camera operator (as Ronald Lautore)

Editorial Department
Aviva Slesin	....	assistant editor

Music Department
Bob Cobert	....	conductor (as Robert Cobert)

Other crew
Hans Holzer	....	technical advisor
William Schwartz	....	production assistant
Robert Singer	....	assistant to producer

Production Companies

• Dan Curtis Productions
• Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

Distributors

• Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) (1971) (USA) (theatrical)
• MGM Home Video (1998) (USA) (VHS)
• Warner Home Video (2012) (Germany) (DVD)
• Warner Home Video (2012) (Germany) (DVD) (Blu-ray)
• Warner Home Video (2012) (USA) (DVD)
• Warner Home Video (2012) (USA) (DVD) (Blu-Ray)

Other Companies

• Title House  titles

Also Known As:

Runtime:

95 min | USA:129 min (director's cut) | West Germany:90 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

USA:GP (original rating) | USA:PG | Australia:G | Germany:12

Filming Locations:

Lyndhurst Estate, Tarrytown, New York, USA

Company:

Dan Curtis Productions

Trivia:

A prologue was scripted but never filmed that involved a hippie that sneaks into Collinwood on a rainy night only to be killed by Angelique and Gerard. The role of the hippie was intended to be played by either Keith Prentice or Michael Stroka.

Quotes:

Angelique Collins:Bring the painting to life, Charles.

Movie Connections:

Follows House of Dark Shadows (1970)

Atmospheric Sequel to House of Dark Shadows

Night of Dark Shadows was Dan Curtis' follow-up to the immensely popular movie from the hit soap opera Dark Shadows. This movie reinforces many known facts about sequels. Sequels always have much to overcome. They are invariably compared to the original. If the movie is a carbon copy of the first, it's criticized for being un-original. If it takes a different road, the public laments that it's not what they wanted. Dan Curtis deserves much never received praise for taking an entirely different road to Collinwood this time and risking the public's ire. At the time of it's release, Night of Dark Shadows received undeserved criticism for being slow and disjointed. The probable reason for this was that Dan Curtis was forced to edit Night down to a double-feature friendly running time, so much of it's plot and character explanations landed - guess where - on the cutting room floor. However, if one really watches this film closely, they will be richly rewarded with a delightfully moody and atmospheric haunted house/possession/witchcraft flick that will send chills where they should go during a horror flick. David Selby is stoic and forboding as Quentin and Charles Collins, and Kate Jackson is the embodiment of purity and goodness as Tracy. Grayson Hall plays Carlotta with sheer relish. She's the kind of housekeeper that motivates one to become a better housekeeper, so that we can one day fire her. Lara Parker will make you forget to inhale or exhale as Angelique. Her beauty is indescribable, as is her ability for evil. John Karlen returns as Quentin's best friend Alex, and Nancy Barrett is approachable yet truly seductive as Alex's wife Claire. They are simply a joy to watch together. Once again, the elegant Lyndhurst mansion is the perfect home for the Collins family, this time a haunted one. If you haven't seen Night of Dark Shadows yet, give it a try. If you have and weren't impressed the first time, give it another chance. It deserves that much - and you'll be glad you did.