Summary: Welcome to a very informal look at one of the genre's unsung heroes Dan Curtis. With the Tim Burton adaptation of Dark Shadows about to arrive, we take a look back through the works of the director / producer who worked primarily in the television medium beginning with his auspicious daytime drama where the introduction of supernatural elements and paranormal mythologies created a legacy still reverberating today (is there a Buffy without Dark Shadows?). A stalwart advocate of the subdued, gothic approach to scares, Curtis productions were low on bloodflow (a necessity of network television), but delivered horror with class. His collaborations with great writers (notably several projects with Richard Matheson and William Nolan), and performers resulted in some exceptional if underappreciated works. We discuss the Kolchak films The Night Stalker and The Night Strangler, adaptations of the classics The Strange Case of Dr. Jeckyll and Mr. Hyde, Dracula, Frankenstein, Turn of the Screw and The Picture of Dorian Gray, and other select favorites including Trilogy of Terror (Karen Black in four roles), Burnt Offerings, Dead of Night and more. The works of Dan Curtis may be low budget and constrained but he delivered suspense, drama and horrific tragedy with gothic sensability. As well, we have initial thoughts on The Avengers, and discuss some random watches including Comic-con Episode IV: A Fan's Hope, The Tree of Life, The Expendables, Haywire and Immortals (yes, random). As always we welcome your comments: horroretc@gmail.com Voicemail (206) 337-5324 WWW.HORRORETC.COM
