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316 Gallery
316
Number

312

Timeline

1968

Narrator

Alexandra Moltke

Writer

Gordon Russell

Director

John Sedwick

Broadcast

September 11, 1967
(Monday)

Recorded

August 28, 1967
(Monday)

Video

Complete: Disc 35
Collection 3: Disc 3

316 Gallery
We have 12 images of Dark Shadows 316

Barnabas questions David, then tries to take him back to the Old House; however, Burke shows up, and they take him to Collinwood.

Synopsis[]

Teaser

The night is long and casts the shadow of doom over Collinwood. One who is close to us, a little boy, is still missing. We do not know yet that the boy has been trapped in a mausoleum in the old Eagle Hill Cemetery. Now he has found his way out, unaware that a new and greater danger is about to fall on him.

Thanks to Sarah Collins' help, David Collins escapes from the secret room. However, once the panel is open, Sarah has disappeared again. David leaves the mausoleum... and rushes straight into Barnabas' arms.

Act I

Barnabas questions the boy and menaces David about the mausoleum. He accuses David of lying and prevents the frightened boy from leaving. He insists on taking David to the Old House where he can tell him all about Sarah. Barnabas has deduced it was Sarah who took David to the mausoleum and shared a secret with him. He goes on to inquire about Sarah and what she might have told David. Barnabas grabs David by the arm, but before he can leave with the boy, Burke Devlin arrives at the cemetery.

Act II

Barnabas explains how he found David emerging from the mausoleum. Burke's suspicions toward Barnabas are renewed, as he finds it strange how Barnabas discovered David where others have failed. David claims to have been "playing in the woods" and went inside the mausoleum to warm up. He catches Barnabas in a lie when Burke informs him that Roger Collins and Victoria Winters are at Collinwood. Barnabas deftly covers his tracks.

Back at the great house, Roger tells Victoria that if David is not found by tomorrow night, then Sheriff Patterson does not hold much hope. Suddenly, David rushes into the room and collapses into an overjoyed Victoria's arms. Roger thanks Barnabas for finding David who stares, clearly frightened, at Barnabas.

Act III

Victoria also expresses her gratitude to Barnabas, while Burke wonders why the other man was roaming around the cemetery. Barnabas counters that he could ask Burke the exact same question. Victoria couldn't care less; all that matters is the fact David is home and safe. Barnabas bids them goodnight.

Upstairs in David's room, Roger has a man-to-man talk with his son. David explains that he was searching for Sarah when he got lost. He claims to have fallen asleep in the woods. This, however, doesn't wash with Roger. Seventeen people, including Sheriff Patterson, the Sheriff's deputies, himself, Joe Haskell, Barnabas and Burke, were searching for him, and one of them would have found him. David changes the subject, believing Barnabas was on his way inside the mausoleum when he ran into him. It was almost as if Barnabas knew he was in there. He questions the mysteriousness surrounding their cousin. Roger gives up trying to question David and allows him to get some rest.

Act IV

Barnabas returns to the Old House, clearly worried over whether David has learned his secret. Willie Loomis comes downstairs into the parlor, and Barnabas questions his servant about why he did not obey his instructions. He informs Willie that David has been found, and caught him in several lies. Barnabas has no assurance whatsoever that his secret is safe. The sooner David's curiosity is put to rest, the better off he will be.

Meanwhile David, unable to sleep, gets out of bed and moves to his open window. Victoria comes in to check on him. She notices how pale he looks, and David admits that he's scared. He doesn't feel safe and fears "someone evil" is watching him.

Indeed, Barnabas is peering at Collinwood from a window at the Old House.

Memorable quotes[]

Barnabas: (to Willie) Maybe? Maybe! What assurance have I with maybe?!

David: Barnabas is mysterious, isn't he, Father?...You know, we don't know anything about him. He just showed up one night.

David: I don't feel safe, Vicki. I feel like somebody's watching me...somebody evil.

Dramatis personae[]

Background information and notes[]

Production[]

  • This episode was recorded out of broadcast sequence. The previous episode to be recorded was 314.
  • There are many new decorations and toys in David's bedroom, including a Major Matt Mason space station set.

Story[]

Bloopers and continuity errors[]

  • By this time, the opening narrations are no longer spoken in character by whomever is speaking. Yet, as has happened a few other times, Alexandra Moltke uses the first person ("us," "we") as if she is speaking as Victoria Winters.
  • The sound effect of the closing of the secret door of the Collins mausoleum continues after the door is already closed.
  • Louis Edmonds flubs a line in Act II when he says to Victoria, "He couldn't have traveled very fast...very far in these woods."
  • David spent 24 hours in the secret room, spending some of the time shouting for help, so he must be thirsty, but when he arrives in Collinwood, he doesn't ask for something to drink, and nobody even offers him a glass of water. (He is given food within minutes of returning to Collinwood, and that likely also included something to drink, even though we don't see him drinking anything with his sandwich.)
  • The moving shadow of a boom microphone is visible on the pillar to the left of the screen when Barnabas enters the Old House at the start of Act IV.

End credits announcements[]

External links []

Dark Shadows - Episode 316 on the IMDb

Dark Shadows Everyday - Episode 316 - The Big Bad

Dark Shadows Commentary- Episode 316: He just showed up one night

Dark Shadows Before I Die- Episode 316: 9/11/67

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