Inside the Old House/Issues 51-65

Issues 01-10 · Issues 11-20 · Issues 21-30 · Issues 31-40 · Issues 41-50 · Issues 51-65

Issue 51

cover of issue #51

Inside the Old House 51 was published in Apr/May 1995 and is 52 pages long.

• Metamorphosis (Part II), fiction by J.L. Miser (3)
• Willie Loomis, art by Mary E. Overstreet (9)
• Shadowed Happenings - news by Marcy Robin (15)
• Pieces of the Past, nostalgia (17)
• To Julia, poem by Terry Cogliano (19)
• The Fan Page: Who is Julia - Grayson Hall or Barbara Steele by Emily Klaczak (21)
• Law of the Jungle, fiction by Andy Nunez (28)
• From the Cellar, LoCs (43)

Reactions and Reviews: Issue 51

Loved the cover of ITOH #51 -- has anyone thought of doing a 'Studs of DS" publication? Some of us were too young to really appreciate David Selby, Chris Pennock, lames Stonn (just to name my personal faves) when the show aired originally. Watching the videos makes you realize how many good- looking guys were on the show.

ITOH seems to attract fan fiction that's just a bit more unusual than the other fanzines. Variations on the Barnabas/loseue/Maggie/vicky/Angelique relations is always interesting -- I've written a few myself -- but it takes a wild imagination to send Lord Greystoke to Collinwood and let him run amok! I also liked "METAMORPHOSIS" - as I said last time, it's rare to see Barnabas' "Dark Side".

Issue 52

cover of issue #52

Inside the Old House 52 was published in July/Aug 1995 and is 52 pages long.

• Metamorphosis (Part III), fiction by J.L. Miser (3)
• Willie Loomis, art by Mary E. Overstreet (9)
• Pieces of the Past: Reprint of the GAF Viewmaster Storybook, contributed by Bill Mann (18)
• Jamison, fiction by Sandra Necchi (29)

Reactions and Reviews: Issue 52

As usual, a stellar issue, particularly the story "JAMISON". I agree that Quentin would have made a much better father to him than did Edward. Although Quentin many times seemed a self-centered individual, it was obvious that he truly did love Jamison. A wonderful story!

I really enjoyed reading the Viewmaster text in #52. Since 1 haven't the cash to spend on buying this particular piece of memorabilia it was a treat to be able to see a portion of it at least. PIECES OF THE PAST is quickly becoming my favorite part of ITOH. Of course, the fiction was good this time around as well. I particularly enjoyed "JAMISON". This was a faithful interpretation of how this scene might have been played out had we been given an opportunity to see it on the show. Sandra Necchi is a wonderful writer and I hope we see more of her stuff in future issues. "METAMORPHOSIS" is certainly entertaining if not a little bizarre. but I'll reserve judgement until the final installment.

Issue 53

cover of issue #53

Inside the Old House 53 was published in Sept/Oct 1995 and is 52 pages long.

• Ghosts Just Want to Have Fun, fiction by M. J. Reid (3)
• From the Cellar, LoCs (20)
• a Dark Shadows Festival con report by Dave Brown (23)
• Dark Shadows Festival photos by Dale Clark (25)
• Metamorphosis, part four/conclusion, fiction by J. L. Miser (31)
• The Untold 1872 Flashback, fiction by Bill Mann (38)

Reactions and Reviews: Issue 53

Issue #53 was fantastic. From the moment. I opened the envelope and saw the excellent. "Willie" cover I knew this issue would be something else. "GHOSTS JUST WANT TO HAVE FUN" was really, really terrific. Funny -- I laughed out loud while reading it, on a New York City subway train yet!! -- and touching, too, which is a difficult combination to pull off. The Festival report covered the event nicely. I was lucky enough to attend but Dave Brown's report reminded me of things I'd forgouen. I'm glad to have it to refer back to in future years. The photos, by the way, are of excellent. quality! I've enjoyed "METAMORPHOSIS" all along and was glad to see a satisfying close. And "THE UNTOLD 1872 FLASHBACK" in addition to being well done is very, very intriguing. Oooh, what a cliffhanger!

Another excellent edition. I particularly enjoyed Bill Mann's "THE UNTOLD 1872 FLASHBACK". I hope this will be a long running series. I have often wondered what the writers of the series would have come up with if there had actually been episodes beyond #1245.

I saved my latest issue of ITOH (#53) for a nice, cozy Saturday afternoon read. "GHOSTS JUST WANT TO HAVE FUN" was a pleasant, light-hearted story, with more than a few touches of humor and yet still keeping a sense of seriousness to the goings-on. I particularly enjoyed Carolyn mistaking the ghost of Carl for Willie. Carl's scenes with Quentin were also very touching, explaining the motivations behind both of these characters. I can easily understand why Quentin wouldn't want Carl hovering around Collinwood. As Carl poimed out there were just too many memories. I would suppose that an inunortal really can't be burdened by the past…. The Festival report was certainly informative, if a bit dry, and made me look forward to going to one some day. The photos, by the way, were fantastic (except I might have used the word "pensive" to describe mat photo of Lara Parker instead of "intently". The conclusion of "METAMORPHOSIS" was worth the wait and at first it appears to be a happy ending, of sorts, for both Barnabas and Willie. But upon closer epmination it really is rather depressing. Sure, Willie gains self-confidence and all but at what a price. He's still Barnabas' slave (if not more so) and as has been said before, a gilded cage is still a cage. My favorite story this issue was "THE UNTOLD 1872 FLASHBACK". This promises to be a very entertaining and fun story which, I'm hoping, will go on for some time to come. I'm getting a kick out of the episodic "feel" to this untold tale. It does make you wonder what would have happened on DS had there been further adventures.

I'd like to disagree with Chris Pennock re: Ben Cross vs. Jonathan Frid's interpretations of Barnabas. First, Chris only saw two episodes of the '91 series; second, he's naturally going to be biased toward Frid's Barnabas; and third, Cross only had those 12 episodes to develop the character -- which I liked better than the original "B"! I think Cross did a great job, plus he's better looking and more charismatic. And I say this as a former die-hard Frid fanatic. I watched DS faithfully for four years! I only wish Cross had gotten another season on that ill-fated series…

Just wanted to say keep up the great work. In #53 I loved "GHOSTS JUST WANT TO HAVE FUN" -- it was fun reading. Carl was hysterical. I always got a kick out of him on the show.

I enjoyed "GHOSTS JUST WANT TO HAVE FUN". I'm glad that Carl is having an enjoyable death. The Haunted Mansion at Disneyland is the perfect place for Carl and one of my favorite places too. The relationship between Carl and Carolyn was sweet.

I would never have recognized Denise Nickerson. Well, maybe I would if it had been a color photo. Thanks for including it in the zine. I love to hear about what's going on with the DS actors who have 'disappeared.'

The last episode of "METAMORPHOSIS" is my favorite of the series. I love 'happy endings'. I still don't like the Barnabas in the story. What are his goals? Just survival or a world wide vampire conquest?

Issue 54/55

front and back covers of issue #54/55

inside page from #54/55, sample text of the Dark Shadows/Stephen King crossover, and art by Janet Meehan

Inside the Old House 54/55 is a 100-page double issue with a wraparound color cover, dated Nov/Dec 1995.

• The Untold 1872 Flashback, part two, fiction by Bill Mann (5)
• Rebirth, fiction by Lucidscreamer (21)
• Articles: Maggie Evans’ Cottage by Bill Branch (26)
• A Gift of the Master, fiction by Terry Cogliano (27)
• The Bat, art by Terry Cogliano (29)
• The Fan Page - a look at Laura Collins, by Charles Mento (31)
• Silent Night, Shadowed Night, poem by Lucidscreamer (34)
• Kathryn Leigh Scott, art by Janet Meehan (drawn at least 15 years ago) (36)
• Dark Shadows: The Stand, fiction by Andy Nunez (37)
• Joint Venture, fiction by Eve E. Prietz (53)
• Shadowed Happens, news gathered by Marcy Robin (64)
• From the Cellar, LoCs (68)
• By Any Other Name - a look at character’s names and their meanings, by Jeann Luellen (71)
• Halloween at Lyndhurst by Dave Brown (79)
• Pieces of the Past: reprint of BackStage at Dark Shadows article that appeared in TV Favorites magazine, contributed by Lum Edwards III (84)

Reactions and Reviews: Issue 54/55

Halloween at Lyndhurst [was] very enjoyable. He has a real way of making you feel you were there. Loved the color cover on #54/55. Also liked the cast list after "THE UNTOLD 1872 FLASHBACK" -- it's fun to imagine who is playing who as you read (aside from the obvious ones, of course). "JOINT VENTURE" was very moving, I really enjoyed it. As usual, great photos.

"THE UNTOLD 1872 FLASHBACK" is off to a promising start. Is William Mann going to let us know which actors he envisions for the new characters in his story? I found Sandy Adams "REBIRTH" amusing. Millicent certainly would make a ditzy vampire. Too bad Ben Loomis slept through the feeding. think he would have enjoyed it. "DARK SHADOWS - THE STAND" was excellent. It has been a long time since I read THE STAND but this story brought it back for me. I was wondering why Barnabas would have so many 'spare' coffins with him. I think it was a little unfair that Mrs. Johnson was 'left behind' or maybe she declined Barnabas' offer to come along . I also enjoyed By Any Other Name and "Pieces of the Past" and am very envious of the lucky people who joined Louis Edmonds, Marie Wallace, Diana Millay and Sharon Smyth for Halloween at Lyndhurst. the photos of Marie and Louis were lovely as were all of the photos in the 'zine. The color photo was great too. It makes me want to leave it out lying flat open so I can see both the front and back covers at the same time.

#54/55 arrived -- and got read and enjoyed immediately! I loved the lavish color cover. I visited Lyndhurst in Tarrytown, NY last June and I spent a lot of time visualizing scenes from HODS against those real rooms and other areas of the grounds. I wished the pillard "Old House" was still standing! I also really enjoyed the tremendous variety of photos you feature in both ITOH and the Q&A books. Many of them I've never seen anywhere else before. In #54/55 I especially liked the ones of Jonathan on pages 52 and 35, and from a rehearsal on page 90, and the good view of the teleprompter on page 91.

The issue had a bitter-sweet quality about it. "JOINT VENTURE" did have a sort of happy ending but I'd rather that Barnabas and Julia not have to have taken that trip at all . Sad to read of a dying Julia; doubly because of the way that Grayson left us, too. The DS/STAND crossover story was very well done! But I felt let down at the end. It was a logical ending, Barnabas and the other vampires could not have lived on in the Free Zone but I hated to see them be destroyed -- though it was fun to see Nicholas get his! After re-reading "REBIRTH" I realized that it was just long enough. Millicent just wasn't clever enough to survive more than a day or two as a vampire but I still would have liked to have seen her take out a few more people before she was destroyed. (OK, I admit I'm a gore-hound!) I'm enjoying "THE UNTOLD 1872 FLASHBACK" very much. Nice to see the clan in Victorian costume again, if only in my mind! William Mann's doing a good job of integrating new and old (and older) characters. Looking forward to the next episode. By Any Other Name was funny -- cheered me up considerably after finishing "JOINT VENTURE" (and I mean that as a complement to Eve Prietz's writing talents. not too much fan fiction makes me want to cry).

Issue 56

cover of issue #56

Inside the Old House 56 is 52 pages long and dated May/June 1996.

• The Untold 1872 Flashback, fiction by Bill Mann ("with acknowledgment to [[Warren Oddsson's "Causality at Collinwood") (3)
• Release, fiction by Terry Cogliano (19)
• The Fan Page: The Shadow of Bliss, article by Kristen Harber (this fan's reaction to "Metamorphosis" by J.L. Miser that had just wrapped up in ITOH) (22) (see Metamorphosis)
• Distant Friendship, fiction by S. Ramskill (29)
• PIeces of the Past, contribution by Dan Silvio (38)
• article by Emily Klaczak “Bold and Beautiful Shadows” referring to DS set designer Sy Tomasoff’s work on the CBS soap B&B (40)
• Shadowed Happenings, news collected by Marcy Robin (43)
• From the Cellar, LoCs (44)

Reactions and Reviews: Issue 56

I'd just like to say I just got my first issue of ITOH. IT seems like I never missed a beat between the essays of Warren Oddsson in earlier Concordances and the 1872/1971 story by William Mann. Hopefully, this will be continued in future issues. His proposed cast is amusing, to say the least. Could it have happened? Has anybody picked up any parallel time stories where the series left off? 1970 -- do Quentin and Maggie Collins attempt to rebuild a burned-up Collinwood, and did Roxanne get disfigured in the fire? 841 -- Was Bramwell and Catherine's baby a boy or a girl? And the possibilities for a parallel time 1897 are boundless!

I really enjoyed the last issue. The Fan Page on Metamorphosis was very thought-provoking and well-done. I'd like to see more analysis of ITOH stories. And of course, I'm continuing to enjoy The 1872 Flashback. I also liked Bold and Beautiful Shadows.

Issue 57

cover of issue #57

Inside the Old House 57 is 52 pages and dated July/Aug 1996.

• The Untold 1872 Flashback, fiction by Bill Mann (3)
• Pieces of the Past, newspaper article reprints from 1968 when Frid went to Grand Rapids (22)
• Incubus, poem by Lucidscreamer (24)
• Eternity, poem by Lucidscreamer (24)
• Twist of Fate, fiction by Jimmy Hutcheson (29)
• From the Cellar, LoCs (listed in the Table of Contents, but there are none in the zine) 45)

Issue 58/59

cover of issue 58/59

Inside the Old House 58/59 is 100 pages and dated Sept/Oct/Nov/Dec 1996.

• The Untold 1872 Flashback, fiction by Bill Mann (3)
• Shadowed Happenings, news compiled by Marcy Robin (27)
• a 30th Anniversary Trivia Quiz by Robert Finocchio (30)
• Pictures from the Past, article by Marjo Reid (“Making Mom a DS Fan”, a reprint that appeared in TigerBeat magazine) (35)
• Connection, fiction by Matthew Richardson (37)
• Professor Stokes and Julia Hoffman, two poems by Dianne Borsenik (47)
• photos from Dark Shadows Festival 1996 (49)
• Dark Shadows Over Vienna, or Quentin Meets the Wolfman, fiction by Andy Nunez (53)
• From the Cellar, LoCs (66)
• Departure, fiction by Teresa McGoff (69)
• Fan Club Directory (74)
• An Absence of Bliss, fiction by M.J. Reid (75)
• Roger and Julia, art by Dan Silvio (87)
• Comics by lucidscreaming, Elaine Garner, and Terry Cogliano (26)

Reactions and Reviews: Issue 58/59

It was a great double issue! Matthew Richardson's "Connection" was poignant and a sweet continuation of Millicent's life, post-Forbes. I can't wait to see where M.L . Reid is taking "An Absence of Bliss" -- I'm becoming quite a fan of her work. She really breathes freshness and humor into DS. Andy Nunez's "Dark Shadows Over Vienna" was great fun ... especially for those of us who fondly recall the classic Universal horror movie characters he integrated into the story.

I just received my copy of ITOH #58/59; it felt good to open the cover and see that I was a part of Dark Shadows again. I liked the cartoon on page #89 ("Nagahide") and Andy Nunez's "Dark Shadows Over Vienna" and the SHADOWED HAPPENINGS". The photographs were great, too.

Wow, Now that I've gotten a chance to read through the latest issue, I've got some other ideas I'd like to share. I'm really looking forward to getting the "best of" volume as well. I notice certain themes run through the original stories. Some just move a common plot forward or back a little, and some fill obvious gaps in the Collins history . The long life of Quentin Collins seems to be a favorite. The World War II story with him was quite different -- seemed to be right out of the pulp comic books with plenty of action. However, the stories with Chris and Tom Jennings and Joe Haskell as young men, as well as the Millicent and Daniel story, were quite sentimental. The story with Petofi taking over Chris Jennings was ingenious.

My favorite story in the latest issue was "Dark Shadows Over Vienna" which was very much like those old Universal horror films from the WWII era. Nazis and gypsies and werewolves, oh my! "The 1872 Flashback" continues to be thought-provoking. I wish I'd known "An Absence of Bliss" was to be continued.. I was confused when I got to the last page and realized that it wasn't wending down, then frustrated when I got to the end and realized I had to wait for the conclusion. Do look forward to the next installment. If one can like the sensation of feeling sad (for a short while), then I liked "Connection". a very touching story. "Departure" was a visit with characters who seldom appear in fan fiction, Joe Haskell and the Jennings brothers.

I'm so pleased there is a new M.J. Reid story to follow. They are always the best. Mr. Mann's story is unfolding inexorably. Gothicly speaking and has the feel of a recurring dream, an effect which I hope he intends. "Connection" is a sweet story and "Departure" sadly portentious. They show how much feeling much invest in these characters. Mr. Nunez's wolfman story is a howl. It does seem strange that when Quentin quips the names Veidt and Schreck he doesn't reveal himself as a liar to the Germans who should have been as familiar with those names as we are with Gable and Brando. Then again. in a scenario pitting wolfmen against Nazis perhaps the plausibility factor is not meant to be set on high . I think the real jewels in this issue are the poems by Dianne Borsenik. They are the real thing. I've read them over and over.

Issue 60

cover of issue #60

Inside the Old House 60 was published in August/September 1997 and contains 51 pages.

• The Untold 1872 Flashback, fiction by Bill Mann (3)
• some photos of Joan Bannett and Louis Edmonds "at a Dark Shadows Festival during the 1980s"
• Mrs. Johnson, poetry by Dianne Borsenik (19)
• Carolyn, poetry by Dianne Borsenik (21)
• humorous artwork by Terry Cogliano (24)
• Kaleidoscope, fiction by M.J. Reid (29)
• From the Cellar, LoCs (42)
• Fan Club Directory (50)

Issue 61

cover of issue #61

Inside the Old House 61 is 52 pages and dated October/November 1997.

• The Untold 1872 Flashback, fiction by William Mann (3)
• Shadowed Happenings, news compiled by Marcy Robin (20)
• Escape, fiction by Eve Prietz (22)
• Kaleidoscope, part two, fiction by M.J. Reid (29)
• Pieces of the Past, nostalgia by Dan Silvio (46)
• Fan Club Directory (50)
• Werewolf, cartoon by Elaine Garner (81)

Issue 62/63

cover of issue #62/63

Inside the Old House 62/63 was published in Dec 1998/Jan 1999 and contains 100 pages.

• The Untold 1872 Flashback, fiction by Bill Mann (3)
• Wheel of Fate, fiction by Shawn Downs (35)
• Cold Comfort, fiction by Matthew Richardson (53)
• Its Own Reward, fiction by lucid screaming (64)
• Kaleidoscope, part three, fiction by M.J. Reid (69)
• Pieces of the Past, nostalgia (81)
• a review of Jonathan Frid in Performance at the Daniel Monroe Theatre, Hofstra University, Long Island, NY November 7, 1998, by Nina Ogle Johnson (83)
• Maggie Evans, art by Janet Meehan (created about 16 years previously) (89)
• cartoon by lucid screaming (99)

Issue 64

cover of issue #64

Inside the Old House 64 was published in February/March 1999 and contains 52 pages.

• The Untold 1872 Flashback, fiction by William Mann (3)
• Kaleidoscope (part 4), fiction by M. J. Reid (29)
• Article/Interview with Jonathan Frid by Nancy Kersey (41)

Reactions and Reviews: Issue 64

I especially enjoyed the Jonathan Frid Q&A article in ITOH #64. Since I was unable to attend Mr. Frid's presentation out on Long Island, I want to thank you for printing Mr. Frid's comments in your magazine. I thought that Mr. Frid was being particularly candid when he spoke about how actors cannot always "pick and choose" their roles and acting assignments. In fact, they can go for weeks (if not months) before the next role becomes available.

ITOH #64 was terrific, as usual! I had hoped it would contain ordering info on your new novel - since it doesn't, here's my SASE. I think this was my favorite issue in some time. I really loved those installments of the two serials! It really piqued my interest to see that William Mann is tying a 1971 storyline into his " 1872 Flashback". And "Kaleidoscope" is fascinating. It was great that M. J. Reid provided that synopsis for us. Also, really cool that she's "casting" the OS 1991 actors as alternate-reality characters. (Wonder if she'll find a "role" for Ben Cross? Or Jim Fyfe?) I especially liked her using "Rory" as a nickname for Roderick. So many people don't realize it's the Irish form of Roderick!

And it was interesting to read, back to back, stories treating time travel in two different ways: Mann taking the position history can't be changed, Reid that it can. I prefer to believe it can. I recall haling Warren Oddsson's tortured interpretation of 1840.

What you said last issue about having been just out of high school when you launched ITOH (in 1978) -- certainly, I know you are only in your thirties, but I had never stopped to think about it and realize how young you were when you got this 'zine off the ground! ((Actually, I'm no longer in my 30's - in fact, I'll be 42 by the time this sees print...and would never have thought I'd still be doing this 'zine 22 years later. DC))

Issue 65

cover of issue #65

Inside the Old House 65 was published in November/December 2000 and contains 52 pages. The editor comments on how long this issue has been to come out, that his butterfly ranching business has taken off, and that his house was struck by lightning which resulted in some lost info from the computer regarding this issue. While it is the last issue in a 22-year run, he makes no mention of it.

• The Untold 1872 Flashback, fiction by Bill Mann (3)
• From the Cellar, LoCs (20)
• a review by Susan Quick Dolen of Jonathan Frid's performance of "Fools and Fiends" (22)
• Shadowed Happens, news by Marcy Robin (23)
• Kaleidoscope, chapter 5, fiction by M.J. Reid (29)
• Fool's Errand, fiction by Susan Ramskill (40)