| Episode 376 | |
|---|---|
| |
| Air date | December 4th, 1967 |
| Writers | Gordon Russell |
| Director | John Sedwick |
| Producers | Robert Costello; Dan Curtis |
| Starring | Joan Bennett; Anthony George; Grayson Hall; David Ford |
| Episode guide | |
| Previous Episode 375 |
Next Episode 377 |
Time has been suspended at Collinwood. It waits for the completion of an uncertain and frightening journey into the past, back to the year 1795. There, in the old Collins mansion, one person has set in motion an evil plan designed to prevent an impending marriage.
Episode 376 is the untitled 376th episode of the daytime Gothic soap opera series Dark Shadows. The episode was directed by John Sedwick with a script written by Gordon Russell. It first aired on ABC on Monday, December 4th, 1967. This episode is part of the "1795 Flashback" storyline.
Synopsis
Natalie du Prés meets with her brother Andre outside in the garden at the gazebo. She is in a state and tells her brother that something evil is trying to prevent the marriage between Josette and Barnabas, but she doesn't know who. She tells him that on the previous evening she followed Josette when she went for a walk because she was concerned because Josette had been acting so strangely. She spied Josette meeting with Jeremiah Collins at this very spot. The two embraced each other, kissed and professed their love to each other. She continues to theorize about something evil taking place at the estate and noted how Josette seemed as if she were in a trance. Andre is completely dismissive of his sister's occult premonitions, but he is concerned about his daughter's behavior.
Andre goes to Collinwood and confronts Jeremiah. He tells him that he was seen with Josette the previous evening. Jeremiah shamefully confesses to kissing Josette, but says that he has no explanation. He doesn't know why he behaved as he did, but Andre just scoffs and doesn't believe him. His anger growing, Andre states that he refuses to allow his daughter to become the subject of any sort of scandal. Jeremiah gives his word that he will never again be with Josette alone. Andre doesn't put much stock in Jeremiah's word, but he agrees to let the matter lie... for now.
Naomi kicks one back.
Sometime later, Natalie meets with Naomi Collins, who has been pushing back glasses of whiskey all afternoon. Naomi tells Natalie that she found her tarot cards, which had been left on the mantle. Natalie agrees to show Naomi how the cards work and does a sample reading. After laying out all of the cards, Natalie becomes very visibly distressed. Naomi asks for explanation, but Natalie is reluctant to explain her interpretation of the cards. After more prodding from Naomi, Natalie relents and tells her that the cards show the Lovers inverted lying next to the Death card. On the other side is the Carriage card. Her interpretation leads her to believe that the cards forecast the end of love and that there will be a great betrayal. Unwilling to consider it further, Natalie quickly scoops up the tarot cards and puts them away. Natalie once again mentions how she thinks there is a great evil at Collinwood. She begins asking questions about Victoria Winters. Naomi finds this odd, and asks Natalie if she believes Victoria to be the source of this evil that she perceives. Natalie is unsure and will not comment further.
Well that's a strange place to leave a severed arm.
That evening, Naomi goes to bed and begins to dream. In the dream, she hears Countess du Prés' voice echoing her interpretations of the tarot card readings from earlier. Naomi gets up and goes into the hallway. She sees Jeremiah walking down the hall slowly as if in a trance. She calls out to him, but he does not reply. She follows him downstairs into the drawing room. In the back of the room, she sees the shape of a woman emerge who embraces Jeremiah. Naomi continues to call out, but nobody responds. She then notices that the woman has the mark of the Devil on the back of her hand. Naomi approaches them and pulls at the woman's arm to separate them. The woman's arm comes off and Naomi screams.
Cast
Starring
| Actor | Role |
|---|---|
| Joan Bennett | Naomi Collins |
| Anthony George | Jeremiah Collins |
| Grayson Hall | Natalie du Prés |
| David Ford | Andre du Prés |
Uncredited
| Actor | Role |
|---|---|
| Dorrie Kavanaugh | Dream woman [1] |
Notes & Trivia
- Dark Shadows was created by executive producer and showrunner Dan Curtis. Major storylines were developed by writers Art Wallace and Sam Hall. The original daytime Gothic soap opera, Dark Shadows aired on ABC from June of 1966 to April of 1971 spanning a total of 1,245 episodes. Two spin-off films House of Dark Shadows and Night of Dark Shadows were released in theaters in 1970 and 1971. A remake series of Dark Shadows was produced in 1991 and ran for thirteen episodes on NBC. In 2012, director Tim Burton crafted a comical reboot of Dark Shadows as a high-budget feature film.
- This episode is included on disc one of Dark Shadows DVD Collection 5 and disc 41 of the Dark Shadows: The Complete Original Series DVD collection.
- This episode is part of the "1795 Flashback" storyline.
- Opening narration: Joan Bennett.
- Closing still: Collinwood gazebo.
- This episode was recorded on November 27th, 1967.
- This is the second appearance of André du Prés on Dark Shadows. He appeared last in episode 370.
- At this point in time, the 1795 Collins family residence is referred to as Collinwood. After construction is completed on the new house, the existing home will henceforth be referred to as the Old House. Scenes included in this episode include the Collinwood drawing room, the Collinwood foyer, Naomi's bedroom, and the upstairs hallway (which is rarely seen).
- The woman who plays Jeremiah Collins' dream lover is played by Dorrie Kavanaugh. The episode presumes that she is meant to represent Josette du Pres in the dream. Dorrie has appeared in previous episodes of the show as different characters. She played Phyllis Wick in 365 and also appeared in a dream sequence in 224. She also served as a stand-in for Kathryn Leigh Scott's character Maggie Evans in 238 and 240. This is Ms. Kavanaugh's final work on the series. [2]
Allusions
- Although never mentioned by name, there are numerous references made to Angelique Bouchard in this episode. Angelique is the maidservant to the du Prés family and is also a witch. She is the evil that Natalie senses that has cast a gloom over Collinwood.
- Repeated references are made to Josette du Prés in this episode. Josette is the daughter of Andre du Prés and Natalie du Prés. She has come to Collinsport to marry Barnabas Collins.
- Andre du Prés makes reference to Barnabas Collins in this episode. Barnabas is the son of Naomi Collins and the nephew to Jeremiah Collins.
- Natalie du Prés makes reference to Victoria Winters in this episode. Victoria Winters is actually from the modern era who traveled back in time and arrived at Collinwood in the year 1795. This took place in episode 366, which is the beginning of the "1795 Flashback" storyline. Natalie and Naomi discuss Vicki's strange clothing, which would have been considered extremely immodest per the standards of the 18th century. Vicki was known for showing lots of ankle. The slut.
- Andre du Prés makes reference to a house servant at the estate. This would likely be Ben Stokes, who is in the employ of Joshua Collins. It is possible that it could be another servant named Riggs, though Riggs will not make his first appearance until 384.
Bloopers
- When Jeremiah Collins and Naomi Collins walk from the drawing room towards the staircase, a loud clammer can be heard from the production crew on-set.
- At one point Jeremiah Collins gestures towards a study that is supposedly located adjacent to the staircase. There is no such room however. The staircase lies flush against a solid wall. I guess Jeremiah was inviting Andre du Prés to walk into a wall.
- The bloody severed arm that Naomi grabs is clearly the arm of a mannequin. This is not so much a blooper as it is a poorly concealed prop reveal. What? You didn't think they were actually going to rip somebody's bloody arm off for the sake of a cliffhanger, did you?
- During Naomi Collins' dream sequence, a visible crew person hands an arm to the woman that Naomi sees. [3]
Quotes
- Andre du Prés: I'm going to make certain that what happened last night... never happens again!
....
- Andre du Prés: You professed your love to each other. You embraced. You kissed. And you dare tell me that before last night there was nothing going on between you?
....
- Andre du Prés: I am not as familiar with your puritanical customs, but perhaps they are not as pristine as you have led the world to believe.
....
- Naomi Collins: Joshua has set down certain rules. The mistress of the house must be a lady of leisure. You see how fortunate I am? I'm not allowed to do anything... except get bored.
....
- Natalie du Prés: The tarot cards give us access to the knowledge of the occult, which cannot be transmitted either orally or in writing.
See also
The World of Dark Shadows
Gallery of Shadows
Miscellaneous
External Links
References
- ↑ Dark Shadows Wiki; 376. Dramatis personae. Retrieved on 12-31-2025.
- ↑ Dark Shadows Before I Die; Dark Shadows Episode 376 - 12/4/67. Christine.
- ↑ IMDB; Dark Shadows; Episode #1.376. Goofs, Crew or equipment visible.