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487 Gallery
487
Number

481

Timeline

1968

Narrator

Alexandra Moltke

Writer

Ron Sproat

Director

Lela Swift

Broadcast

May 7, 1968
(Tuesday)

Recorded

May 1, 1968
(Wedenesday)

Video

Complete: Disc 52
Collection 7: Disc 4

487 Gallery
We have 6 images of Dark Shadows 487

Julia struggles to not pass the dream curse on to Mrs. Johnson and goes to Professor Stokes for help.

Synopsis[]

Teaser

It is morning at Collinwood, and the great estate appears to be quiet and serene. But inside the great house, there is a woman who can know no serenity, for she has had a dream, a dream that is part of a witch's curse, a dream that could end in death and destruction.

Julia paces in the drawing room at Collinwood, troubled by the dream, determined not to tell Mrs. Johnson the dream, thereby stopping the dream curse. But she doesn't know if she can stop it. There is a knock at the door.

Act I

Victoria comes in and Julia says she was talking to herself. Victoria comments on the ashtray of cigarette butts from Julia's sleepless night. She seems concerned about Julia. Julia asks her about Prof. Stokes, and if he is an expert on the occult. Vicki says he seems to be. Julia decides to see him, and as she is leaving Collinwood, Jeff Clark arrives, but Julia just walks right past him. Jeff mentions Julia's strange behavior to Vicki, who agrees she doesn't seem herself since Lang died last night. Jeff is almost happy to hear of Lang's death, as it will give him an opportunity to go through Lang's files and find out more information about himself and his past.

Act II

Julia introduces herself to Prof. Stokes. She asks him about the occult and tells him about the dream curse. Julia recounts the history of the dream. Stokes tells her the dream ends in a sudden death for the intended victim. He says she must care a great deal about the person she is trying to save.

Barnabas Collins is at Lang's study, wondering where Julia is. Every minute that the experiment does not take place brings him closer to reverting to what he was.

Act III

Jeff Clark enters Lang's house and finds Barnabas there. Both want to know what the other is doing there. Barnabas tells Jeff he is helping Julia go through Lang's papers, and Jeff tells Barnabas he is there to get something that belongs to him. Barnabas is reluctant to let Jeff open and go through a cabinet, but can't stop him. Jeff finds Lang's notes on himself, and is pleased at what he reads. Barnabas guesses that Jeff will go back and tell Victoria, and warns him to stay away from her, or he will tell Victoria about his involvement with Lang's experiment. But Jeff knows it is a hollow threat, as he can tell her about Barnabas' involvement as well.

Act IV

Jeff goes back to Collinwood and tells Victoria the good news. Lang had written in his notes on Jeff, "No homicidal tendencies." He says now they are free and they kiss.

Julia gives Barnabas another injection. He wants her to continue the experiment before it is too late and he reverts back to what he was. But Julia says she has more studying to do.

Memorable quotes[]

Julia:: I'm – I'm sorry to intrude on you at such an early hour.
Stokes: Please don’t apologize. I detest apologies; people so rarely mean them. Now, may I ask who you are, and what you want?
Julia:  You’re a very blunt man.
Stokes:  No, just hostile to strangers, but it’s part of my nature. And you still haven’t answered my question.

Dramatis personae[]

Background information and notes[]

Production[]

Story[]

  • It would appear that Julia is not a hardcore smoker; several of her cigarette butts are only half-smoked, something a true smoker would never do. (Actually, in the late 1960s, it was thought that the closer to the mouth, the more toxic the smoke, so it became common among people who couldn't quite quit to smoke cigarettes halfway. Teenagers got a lot of free half-smoked cigarettes this way.) Julia says she stopped smoking for a while but went back to it as it seems to calm her nerves.
  • Professor Stokes lives on Arrowhead Road, a small road on the outskirts of town.
  • INTERNAL MONOLOGUE: Julia: The dream; Barnabas: Waiting for Julia.
  • TIMELINE: Day 202 begins, and will end in 488. 7am at the start of this episode. Dr. Lang died last night. Julia experienced the dream curse last night (this piece of information is also given in the next episode). 10:07am: Barnabas waits for Julia. 2:20pm: Jeff arrives at Dr. Lang's house.
  • Sets used in this episode: Collinwood foyer and drawing room, Professor Stokes' room, and Dr. Lang's study and front entrance.

Bloopers and continuity errors[]

  • It's unclear how Julia suddenly knows everything about the Dream Curse and how it works.
  • Grayson Hall almost trips as she leaves the drawing room after talking with Victoria. [She appears to bump into something as she leaves Vicki.]
  • As Julia leaves the drawing room in Act I, a boom mic shadow is seen passing over Victoria.
  • When Victoria pours herself a cup of coffee, the "coffee" can be clearly seen to be clear as water.
  • At the start of Act II, a camera is briefly seen.
  • Jonathan Frid mangles his line,: "Well, you can at least tell me what is — what it, what you’re looking for.”
  • When Jeff is telling Barnabas about his amnesia and Dr. Lang's knowledge of him, there's a banging sound off-stage.
  • After Barnabas tells Jeff he is very fond of Vicki, Roger Davis flubs a line: "I am n--I am too."
  • At the start of Act IV, Roger Davis spins Alexandra Moltke fast enough that the top of her stockings briefly come into view.
  • Grayson Hall flubs a line: "Don't be so peni--pessimistic, Barnabas."

External Links []

Dark Shadows - Episode 487 on the IMDb

Dark Shadows Everyday - Episode 487 - Precious Moments

Dark Shadows Commentary- Episode 487: No homicidal tendencies

Dark Shadows Before I Die- Episode 487: 5/7/68

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