Sean Snow
11-29-2002, 06:22 PM
This post contains a transcript of the first episode of Dark Shadows, which was taped on June 13 1966 and aired June 27 1966. The episode features the following regulars: Joan Bennett as Elizabeth Collins Stoddard, Alexandra Moltke as Victoria Winters, Louis Edmonds as Roger Collins, Kathryn Leigh Scott as Maggie Evans, & Mitchell Ryan as Burke Devlin. It also features many gueststars.
Episode #0001
VTR: 06/13/66
AIR: 06/27/66
EXT. Countryside
[A Train Speeds Down the Tracks]
INT. Train
[Victoria Winters is Sitting Next to the Window]
Victoria: My name is Victoria Winters. My journey is beginning. A journey that I hope will open the doors of life to me and link my past with my future. A journey that will bring me to a strange and dark place, to the edge of the sea, high atop Widow's Hill, a house called Collinwood. A world I've never known with people I've never met. People, who tonight are only shadows in my mind but who will soon fill the days and nights of my tomorrows.
[The camera pans to the full moon in the sky. It then goes down to show Collinwood]
INT. Collinwood
[Camera Pans into Collinwood Via the Window. Elizabeth Collins Stoddard is Standing by the Window while Roger Collins Pours a Drink. He Picks Up the Drink. Roger Walks Towards the Fireplace, and then towards Elizabeth]
Roger: A watched pot never boils, to coin a phrase.
Elizabeth: Don't you think you ought to look in on your son?
Roger: The little monster is asleep and I'm delighted. I choose my words with infamous precision.
Elizabeth: Roger you're a fool!
Roger: Not one-tenth a fool that you are. Look at you, standing by that window , waiting for someone who should never have been asked to come here in the first place.
Elizabeth: She'll work out very well I'm sure.
Roger: Doing what? Holding my little sons hand, accompanying you at the shutters creek? With all these ghosts in the house we don't need another one, and you know it.
Elizabeth: I think I can be the judge of that.
Roger: You don't even know the girl! Elizabeth I'm your brother and am only thinking of your own welfare. Why bring someone all the way from New York to do something we're completely capable of doing ourselves?
Elizabeth: Because I choose to do so.
Roger: Oh come to your senses Elizabeth. When the girl arrives, give her a month's salary and tell her to go back where she came from. Why don't you open the doors and let the whole town troop in?
Elizabeth: The girl will stay. [Starts to Leave the Drawing Room]
Roger: You ARE a fool, Elizabeth. Yes you are. Inviting problems-
Elizabeth: The only problem I've invited is standing here before me. I've asked Mrs. Winters to stay.
[Elizabeth Opens the Door Out of the Drawing Room and Leave. Roger Breaks the Glass he is holding with his hands]
[OPENING PLAYS]
Int. Train
[Victoria is sitting next to an old woman, named Mrs. Mitchell. The Train Conductor Walks Towards a Man named Burke Devlin]
Train Conductor: Mr., we'll be in Collinsport in 10 minutes. Mister?
[The Train Conductor Walks Away from Burke and Goes towards Victoria and Mrs. Mitchell]
Mrs. Mitchell: The winters, that's what will get you down here in Maine. They're cold and damp.
Train Conductor: Excuse me, we'll be in Collinsport in around 10 minutes.
Victoria: Thank you.
Train Conductor: Better get your stuff ready Mrs., only two of you getting off here, won't be here long.
[Train Conductor Leaves]
Victoria: Doesn't sound much of a place does it?
Mrs. Mitchell: This train hasn't made a regular stop there in nearly 5 years. Why are you going to Collinsport for anyway?
Victoria: A job.
Mrs. Mitchell: What kind of a job would bring a girl like you all the way from New York? Now let me tell you something I be living in this part of the country and have only been in Collinsport once. Just once. That was MORE then enough for me.
[Victoria Stares into the Window and Has a Flashback]
FLASHBACK: INT. Foundling Home Office
[Mrs. Hopewell and Victoria are Sitting Down. Mrs. Hopewell Holds a Note in Her Hand]
Mrs. Hopewell: Elizabeth Collins Stoddard. Collinsport, Maine. Oh I'm sorry Victoria, that name doesn't mean anything to me...when did you get this letter?
Victoria: This morning. Mrs. Hopewell, I don't know why she should offer me the position I've never heard of the woman.
Mrs. Hopewell: Well she's obviously heard of you.
Victoria: But how?
Mrs. Hopewell: I wouldn't know.
Victoria: Are you sure?
Mrs. Hopewell: Ah now Vicki, I've already told you.
Victoria: Now Mrs. Hopewell, ?I've looked at a map and Collinsport is only 50 miles from Bangor.
Mrs. Hopewell: I see...well surely you don't think there's a connection?
Victoria: I don't know what to think. All I do know is that I've spent most of my life at the foundling home..living, working now. And suddenly I get a letter from a woman I've never seen, living in a place I've never heard of. Wouldn't you say isn't that a little been strange?
Mrs. Hopewell: All I can say is that you've been offered a job as a companion and governess at a VERY fair rate of pay. The only thing you have to answer is whether or not you want to take the position.
[FLASHBACK ENDS]
INT. Train
[Victoria Continues to Stare Out of the Window. Mrs. Mitchell Continues To Talk]
Mrs. Mitchell: You go to a small town after living in a city like New York, what are you going to do? What are you going to do?
Victoria: Oh-
Mrs. Mitchell: I don't believe you heard a word I said.
Victoria: I'm sorry I guess I was daydreaming.
Mrs. Mitchell: I was asking you what you're going to do for fun living in-
Train Conductor: All aboard. Next stop Collinsport.
Victoria: Oh my goodness.
Mrs. Mitchell: Need any help deary?
Victoria: No thank you. Well goodbye.
Mrs. Mitchell: Bye bye. Oh Miss...Good luck!
EXT. Train Station
[Victoria Waits and Watches the Train Leave. She Goes Up to Burke Devlin]
Victoria: Excuse me. I'd wonder if you know if they have any taxis here?
Burke: I don't know what they have here. At least anymore.
Victoria: Then how do they expect anyone to get to town?
Burke: By broomsticks and unicles. And chauffeured cars. Can I give you a lift? I'll take you to the hotel. You can get a taxi there.
Victoria: That’s very kind of you mister-
Burke: Devlin. Burke Devlin.
Victoria: I'm Victoria Winters.
Burke: welcome to the beginning and end of the world Mrs. Winters.
Victoria: I'm afraid that I'm not going that far. I'm going to a house called Collinwood. Do you know it?
Burke: Yes, I do. Very well. Shall we go?
[Victoria and Burke Enter the Car]
INT. Collinsport Inn-Lobby
[Burke and Victoria Enter]
Burke: It hasn't changed a bit. Do you still want a taxi?
Victoria: How else can I get to Collinwood?
Burke: You can take my advice. Get the next bus to Bangor and take a train home to New York. You'll be home by morning.
Victoria: Sorry, I'd prefer a taxi.
[Burke Rings the Bellhop. Mr. Wells, the hotel clerk, Enters]
Mr. Wells: Sorry, I was getting myself a cup of coffee.
Burke :My name's Devil.
Mr. Wells: What? Why Burke! It's nice to see you.
Burke: BURKE DEVLIN I wired for three rooms.
Mr. Wells: Oh yes sir. Oh yes Mr. Devlin. We were expecting you. You rooms are ready. I think I have a message for you.
Burke: And I want a taxi for this girl.
Mr. Wells: I'm sorry. I don't think that will be possible for a while. Harry-why you know Harry.
Burke: I don't remember anyone.
Mr. Wells: Harry, well Harry Jones, he runs our taxi. He's got a flat. He's getting it fixed.
Burke: How long will that take?
Mr. Wells: Well uh-
Victoria: Look I don't mind waiting. I'm sure it won't take too long.
Mr. Wells: Thank you miss.
Victoria: I've come this far, I can wait another few minutes.
Burke: If you want to. [Mr. Wells Hands Burke a note. Burke Opens It and Reads It]
Mr. Wells: The malt shop is right in there. I'll let you know when your taxi arrives.
Victoria: Thank you that’s very kind of you.
Burke: [Crumples up the note] When was this left for me?
Mr. Wells: [Looks at Watch] Oh around an hour ago.
Burke: [Referring to Luggage] The black ones go upstairs. The red ones hers.
[Burke Leaves the Collinsport Inn]
Victoria: what a strange man. You know him, don't you?
Mr. Wells: Yes, since he was this [lifts hand] high.
[Mr. Wells Leaves the Room]
INT. Blue Whale
[Detective Wilbur Strake Paces the Blue Whale, Beer in Hand. He Sits Down. Burke Enters and Joins Him]
Burke: You were supposed to meet me at the hotel Strake.
Wilbur: Hello Mr. Devlin. Have a seat [Signals to Bartender] Bring another beer for my friend]
Burke: Listen Strake, I'm not-
Wilbur: Oh come on Mr. Devlin, you pay me for my work and I do it. Bequest a man a chance to get his employer a drink.
Burke: Now let's find out what I'm paying you for.
Wilbur: Fine enough. [Takes Out Paper] I should charge you double for the way these people clam up. Where do you want me to start?
[Bartender Comes Over and Puts Drink On Table and then goes back to bar]
Wilbur: He's a nice fellow. I told him I'm a real estate salesmen. That's a laugh, isn't it? He says this place really starts jumping in half an hour when the kids get here.
Burke: Now let's suppose we get started. I want to know everything you have on the Collins family. Everyone who lives on that house on the hill. And anyone who has anything to do with them.
Wilbur: And then can I go home to New York?
Burke: [Grabs Paper] Start talking.
INT. Collinsport Inn-Lobby
[Mr. Wells Comes Down the Stairs and Enters the Lobby. He Peeks in the Diner and Sees Victoria Sitting at on a Stool]
INT. Collinsport Inn-Diner
[Mr. Wells Goes Back into the Lobby. Victoria Continues to Sit on the Stool. Maggie Evans Enters, Holding a Tray with Coffee and a Sandwich on It]
Maggie: Roast beef rare and coffee. Right?
Victoria: Right. I'm starved.
Maggie: You are also a jerk.
Victoria: Beg your pardon?
Maggie: Jerk. J-e-r-k!
Victoria: [Sarcastically] Well thanks.
Maggie: Don't mention it. The name's Maggie Evans. And right now I'm the last link in a long line of gossip. [Notices Victoria Fooling with Sandwich] Sandwich rare enough for you?
Victoria: [Looks Up] Oh, it's fine! But I still don't understand-
Maggie: It's like this. A chauffer tells the desk clerk, who tells the housekeeper, who tells me that your going to work up at Collinwood. THAT makes you a jerk.
Victoria: Why?
Maggie: Listen honey. The Collins family is the biggest thing in this town. They own the biggest cannery, the biggest fishing fleet, and the biggest, darkest, gloomiest old house. And they're kooks . . every one of them!
Victoria: I don't believe that.
Maggie: Okay but take a [Turns to Mirror] good look in that mirror right now, because two months from now that pretty hair of yours will be a glorious shade of gray.
Victoria: You make it sound like some old English novel--rattling shades, ghosts in the corridors-
Maggie: You think that's wrong? I could tell you things about that house that could rock you from here all the way to that railroad station.
Victoria: Then I'd rather not hear them.
Maggie: Okay. There's one born every minute. Okay. But you're gonna need your strength. Apple pie on the house and I won't take no for an answer.
Victoria: Then I'll say 'yes'.
[Maggie Walks Away. Victoria Looks in the Mirror and Experiences another flashback]
Flashback: INT. Foundling Home-Victoria & Sandy's Room at the Foundling Room
[Victoria is Packing. Her Best friend and roommate Sandy is With Her]
Sandy: What are you trying to do, bury yourself?
Victoria: Just the opposite.
Sandy: With your looks and brains, you could get a dozen jobs right here in New York. [Notices Victoria Packing] Hey! That's my slip your packing!
Victoria: [Laughs] Oh, I'm sorry! It's not the job Sandy..it's the place.
Sandy: You've got a yen for fishing villages? So go out to Long Island, have a ball! But a nowhere place like Collinsport, Maine?
Victoria: I don't really want to go. But I have to.
Sandy: Come on. That doesn't make any sense at all!
Victoria: But it's true. This could be the most important that I've taken in my whole life!
Sandy: To what?
Victoria: [Looks in Mirror] To me. For finding me. For seeing who I really am.
[Flashback Ends]
INT. Collinsport Inn-Diner
[Victoria Continues to Stare in the Mirror. Maggie Comes Up Behind Her and Puts Down an Apple Pie]
Maggie: Did you say you were looking for something?
Victoria: Oh, I was thinking.
Maggie: Say you are in trouble! Talking to yourself, and you haven't even been up to the hill yet! Maybe you belong there.
Victoria: Maybe I do.
INT. Blue Whale
[Burke and Det Wilbur Strake Continue to Talk]
Wilbur: The big problem was the old lady. Elizabeth Stoddard. There's not much that I could dig up on her.
Burke: Does she still run the business?
Wilbur: She makes all the important decisions, if that's what you mean. The manager of the fishing fleet comes up to see her about once a week.
Burke: Does she ever go into town?
Wilbur: Nope.
Burke: So, that hasn't changed.
Wilbur: The best I could learn Mr. Devlin is that Elizabeth Collins Stoddard hasn't left that hill in 18 years.
Burke: Did you find out why?
Wilbur: Well there are a number of stories going around, none of them really make much sense. They'll all be in the report. Personally, I think she needs a keeper.
Burke: Perhaps she's getting one.
Wilbur: Like who? You?
Burke: No, a girl who doesn't know what she's getting into.
INT. Collinsport Inn-Diner
[Victoria is Drinking her Coffee. Maggie is Talking to Her]
Maggie: The thing I would do is stay here at the hotel overnight, go up to the house in the morning, and then make up my mind.
Victoria: Well I'm not sure.
[Mr. Wells Enters]
Mr. Wells: Maggie's bending your eye?
Maggie: Just giving her a little sound advice, that's all.
Mr. Wells: Don't listen to her Miss Winters, she'll have you running for the hills before you have time to pack your bag..you're taxis here.
Victoria: Thank you.
[Mr. Wells Exits]
Maggie: What are you going to do?
Victoria: Just what I came up here to do. Thanks for the pie.
Maggie: Consider it part of your last meal. Good luck.
[Victoria Gets Up and Goes to the Door that leads to the lobby. Before she leaves, she turns back to look at Maggie]
Victoria: Tell me the truth. You were just trying to make me nervous, weren't you?
Maggie: Sure. Sure I was honey. You'll have a ball.
EXT. Collinwood
[A Taxi Pulls Up to the Front of Collinwood. Victoria Gets Out and Goes to the Door. Using a knocker, she knocks on the door. The Door is opened by Elizabeth Collins Stoddard]
Victoria: I'm Victoria Winters. Is Mrs-
Elizabeth: Come in Miss Winters.
[Victoria Enters. Elizabeth Closes the Door]
INT. Collinwood-Foyer
[Victoria Puts Her Suitcase Down in the Middle of the Foyer. Elizabeth Enters After Her. The Camera Pulls Back, Goes Through the Drawing Room, and Out the Window]
THE END
starring
JOAN BENNETT
as
Elizabeth Collins Stoddard
Burke Devlin...
MITCHELL RYAN
Roger Collins...
LOUIS EDMONDS
Wilbur Strake...
JOSEPH JULIAN
Mrs. Hopewell...
ELIZABETH WILSON
Maggie Evans...
KATHRYN LEIGH SCOTT
Mrs. Mitchell...
JANE ROSE
Hotel Clerk... (aka Mr. Wells)
CONRAD BAIN
Sandy...
KATHERINE BRUCE
Train Conductor...
ALFRED HINCKLEY
and
ALEXANDRA MOLTKE
as
Victoria Winters
fashions from
OHRBACH'S
series created by
DAN CURTIS
executive producer
produced by
ROBERT COSTELLO
directed by
LELA SWIFT
story created and written by
ART WALLACE
Dan
Curtis
Productions
copyright ©1966
FACTS ABOUT THIS EPISODE:
- It was taped twice, so that Dark Shadows would have have a good first episode.
- The first three/four episodes have a extended version of the end theme.
- Lela Swift also directed the last episode of the series.
- This episode had the largest cast, with a total of 11. The second largest cast for an episode was #1245, which featured 10 cast members.
- Alfred Hinckley also appeared in an episode during the 1897 storyline, as a doctor.
- Joseph Julian was also in episode two. Elizabeth Wilson appeared again in episode eight.
I will be posting a transcript of episode 405 sometime within the next two weeks.
Episode #0001
VTR: 06/13/66
AIR: 06/27/66
EXT. Countryside
[A Train Speeds Down the Tracks]
INT. Train
[Victoria Winters is Sitting Next to the Window]
Victoria: My name is Victoria Winters. My journey is beginning. A journey that I hope will open the doors of life to me and link my past with my future. A journey that will bring me to a strange and dark place, to the edge of the sea, high atop Widow's Hill, a house called Collinwood. A world I've never known with people I've never met. People, who tonight are only shadows in my mind but who will soon fill the days and nights of my tomorrows.
[The camera pans to the full moon in the sky. It then goes down to show Collinwood]
INT. Collinwood
[Camera Pans into Collinwood Via the Window. Elizabeth Collins Stoddard is Standing by the Window while Roger Collins Pours a Drink. He Picks Up the Drink. Roger Walks Towards the Fireplace, and then towards Elizabeth]
Roger: A watched pot never boils, to coin a phrase.
Elizabeth: Don't you think you ought to look in on your son?
Roger: The little monster is asleep and I'm delighted. I choose my words with infamous precision.
Elizabeth: Roger you're a fool!
Roger: Not one-tenth a fool that you are. Look at you, standing by that window , waiting for someone who should never have been asked to come here in the first place.
Elizabeth: She'll work out very well I'm sure.
Roger: Doing what? Holding my little sons hand, accompanying you at the shutters creek? With all these ghosts in the house we don't need another one, and you know it.
Elizabeth: I think I can be the judge of that.
Roger: You don't even know the girl! Elizabeth I'm your brother and am only thinking of your own welfare. Why bring someone all the way from New York to do something we're completely capable of doing ourselves?
Elizabeth: Because I choose to do so.
Roger: Oh come to your senses Elizabeth. When the girl arrives, give her a month's salary and tell her to go back where she came from. Why don't you open the doors and let the whole town troop in?
Elizabeth: The girl will stay. [Starts to Leave the Drawing Room]
Roger: You ARE a fool, Elizabeth. Yes you are. Inviting problems-
Elizabeth: The only problem I've invited is standing here before me. I've asked Mrs. Winters to stay.
[Elizabeth Opens the Door Out of the Drawing Room and Leave. Roger Breaks the Glass he is holding with his hands]
[OPENING PLAYS]
Int. Train
[Victoria is sitting next to an old woman, named Mrs. Mitchell. The Train Conductor Walks Towards a Man named Burke Devlin]
Train Conductor: Mr., we'll be in Collinsport in 10 minutes. Mister?
[The Train Conductor Walks Away from Burke and Goes towards Victoria and Mrs. Mitchell]
Mrs. Mitchell: The winters, that's what will get you down here in Maine. They're cold and damp.
Train Conductor: Excuse me, we'll be in Collinsport in around 10 minutes.
Victoria: Thank you.
Train Conductor: Better get your stuff ready Mrs., only two of you getting off here, won't be here long.
[Train Conductor Leaves]
Victoria: Doesn't sound much of a place does it?
Mrs. Mitchell: This train hasn't made a regular stop there in nearly 5 years. Why are you going to Collinsport for anyway?
Victoria: A job.
Mrs. Mitchell: What kind of a job would bring a girl like you all the way from New York? Now let me tell you something I be living in this part of the country and have only been in Collinsport once. Just once. That was MORE then enough for me.
[Victoria Stares into the Window and Has a Flashback]
FLASHBACK: INT. Foundling Home Office
[Mrs. Hopewell and Victoria are Sitting Down. Mrs. Hopewell Holds a Note in Her Hand]
Mrs. Hopewell: Elizabeth Collins Stoddard. Collinsport, Maine. Oh I'm sorry Victoria, that name doesn't mean anything to me...when did you get this letter?
Victoria: This morning. Mrs. Hopewell, I don't know why she should offer me the position I've never heard of the woman.
Mrs. Hopewell: Well she's obviously heard of you.
Victoria: But how?
Mrs. Hopewell: I wouldn't know.
Victoria: Are you sure?
Mrs. Hopewell: Ah now Vicki, I've already told you.
Victoria: Now Mrs. Hopewell, ?I've looked at a map and Collinsport is only 50 miles from Bangor.
Mrs. Hopewell: I see...well surely you don't think there's a connection?
Victoria: I don't know what to think. All I do know is that I've spent most of my life at the foundling home..living, working now. And suddenly I get a letter from a woman I've never seen, living in a place I've never heard of. Wouldn't you say isn't that a little been strange?
Mrs. Hopewell: All I can say is that you've been offered a job as a companion and governess at a VERY fair rate of pay. The only thing you have to answer is whether or not you want to take the position.
[FLASHBACK ENDS]
INT. Train
[Victoria Continues to Stare Out of the Window. Mrs. Mitchell Continues To Talk]
Mrs. Mitchell: You go to a small town after living in a city like New York, what are you going to do? What are you going to do?
Victoria: Oh-
Mrs. Mitchell: I don't believe you heard a word I said.
Victoria: I'm sorry I guess I was daydreaming.
Mrs. Mitchell: I was asking you what you're going to do for fun living in-
Train Conductor: All aboard. Next stop Collinsport.
Victoria: Oh my goodness.
Mrs. Mitchell: Need any help deary?
Victoria: No thank you. Well goodbye.
Mrs. Mitchell: Bye bye. Oh Miss...Good luck!
EXT. Train Station
[Victoria Waits and Watches the Train Leave. She Goes Up to Burke Devlin]
Victoria: Excuse me. I'd wonder if you know if they have any taxis here?
Burke: I don't know what they have here. At least anymore.
Victoria: Then how do they expect anyone to get to town?
Burke: By broomsticks and unicles. And chauffeured cars. Can I give you a lift? I'll take you to the hotel. You can get a taxi there.
Victoria: That’s very kind of you mister-
Burke: Devlin. Burke Devlin.
Victoria: I'm Victoria Winters.
Burke: welcome to the beginning and end of the world Mrs. Winters.
Victoria: I'm afraid that I'm not going that far. I'm going to a house called Collinwood. Do you know it?
Burke: Yes, I do. Very well. Shall we go?
[Victoria and Burke Enter the Car]
INT. Collinsport Inn-Lobby
[Burke and Victoria Enter]
Burke: It hasn't changed a bit. Do you still want a taxi?
Victoria: How else can I get to Collinwood?
Burke: You can take my advice. Get the next bus to Bangor and take a train home to New York. You'll be home by morning.
Victoria: Sorry, I'd prefer a taxi.
[Burke Rings the Bellhop. Mr. Wells, the hotel clerk, Enters]
Mr. Wells: Sorry, I was getting myself a cup of coffee.
Burke :My name's Devil.
Mr. Wells: What? Why Burke! It's nice to see you.
Burke: BURKE DEVLIN I wired for three rooms.
Mr. Wells: Oh yes sir. Oh yes Mr. Devlin. We were expecting you. You rooms are ready. I think I have a message for you.
Burke: And I want a taxi for this girl.
Mr. Wells: I'm sorry. I don't think that will be possible for a while. Harry-why you know Harry.
Burke: I don't remember anyone.
Mr. Wells: Harry, well Harry Jones, he runs our taxi. He's got a flat. He's getting it fixed.
Burke: How long will that take?
Mr. Wells: Well uh-
Victoria: Look I don't mind waiting. I'm sure it won't take too long.
Mr. Wells: Thank you miss.
Victoria: I've come this far, I can wait another few minutes.
Burke: If you want to. [Mr. Wells Hands Burke a note. Burke Opens It and Reads It]
Mr. Wells: The malt shop is right in there. I'll let you know when your taxi arrives.
Victoria: Thank you that’s very kind of you.
Burke: [Crumples up the note] When was this left for me?
Mr. Wells: [Looks at Watch] Oh around an hour ago.
Burke: [Referring to Luggage] The black ones go upstairs. The red ones hers.
[Burke Leaves the Collinsport Inn]
Victoria: what a strange man. You know him, don't you?
Mr. Wells: Yes, since he was this [lifts hand] high.
[Mr. Wells Leaves the Room]
INT. Blue Whale
[Detective Wilbur Strake Paces the Blue Whale, Beer in Hand. He Sits Down. Burke Enters and Joins Him]
Burke: You were supposed to meet me at the hotel Strake.
Wilbur: Hello Mr. Devlin. Have a seat [Signals to Bartender] Bring another beer for my friend]
Burke: Listen Strake, I'm not-
Wilbur: Oh come on Mr. Devlin, you pay me for my work and I do it. Bequest a man a chance to get his employer a drink.
Burke: Now let's find out what I'm paying you for.
Wilbur: Fine enough. [Takes Out Paper] I should charge you double for the way these people clam up. Where do you want me to start?
[Bartender Comes Over and Puts Drink On Table and then goes back to bar]
Wilbur: He's a nice fellow. I told him I'm a real estate salesmen. That's a laugh, isn't it? He says this place really starts jumping in half an hour when the kids get here.
Burke: Now let's suppose we get started. I want to know everything you have on the Collins family. Everyone who lives on that house on the hill. And anyone who has anything to do with them.
Wilbur: And then can I go home to New York?
Burke: [Grabs Paper] Start talking.
INT. Collinsport Inn-Lobby
[Mr. Wells Comes Down the Stairs and Enters the Lobby. He Peeks in the Diner and Sees Victoria Sitting at on a Stool]
INT. Collinsport Inn-Diner
[Mr. Wells Goes Back into the Lobby. Victoria Continues to Sit on the Stool. Maggie Evans Enters, Holding a Tray with Coffee and a Sandwich on It]
Maggie: Roast beef rare and coffee. Right?
Victoria: Right. I'm starved.
Maggie: You are also a jerk.
Victoria: Beg your pardon?
Maggie: Jerk. J-e-r-k!
Victoria: [Sarcastically] Well thanks.
Maggie: Don't mention it. The name's Maggie Evans. And right now I'm the last link in a long line of gossip. [Notices Victoria Fooling with Sandwich] Sandwich rare enough for you?
Victoria: [Looks Up] Oh, it's fine! But I still don't understand-
Maggie: It's like this. A chauffer tells the desk clerk, who tells the housekeeper, who tells me that your going to work up at Collinwood. THAT makes you a jerk.
Victoria: Why?
Maggie: Listen honey. The Collins family is the biggest thing in this town. They own the biggest cannery, the biggest fishing fleet, and the biggest, darkest, gloomiest old house. And they're kooks . . every one of them!
Victoria: I don't believe that.
Maggie: Okay but take a [Turns to Mirror] good look in that mirror right now, because two months from now that pretty hair of yours will be a glorious shade of gray.
Victoria: You make it sound like some old English novel--rattling shades, ghosts in the corridors-
Maggie: You think that's wrong? I could tell you things about that house that could rock you from here all the way to that railroad station.
Victoria: Then I'd rather not hear them.
Maggie: Okay. There's one born every minute. Okay. But you're gonna need your strength. Apple pie on the house and I won't take no for an answer.
Victoria: Then I'll say 'yes'.
[Maggie Walks Away. Victoria Looks in the Mirror and Experiences another flashback]
Flashback: INT. Foundling Home-Victoria & Sandy's Room at the Foundling Room
[Victoria is Packing. Her Best friend and roommate Sandy is With Her]
Sandy: What are you trying to do, bury yourself?
Victoria: Just the opposite.
Sandy: With your looks and brains, you could get a dozen jobs right here in New York. [Notices Victoria Packing] Hey! That's my slip your packing!
Victoria: [Laughs] Oh, I'm sorry! It's not the job Sandy..it's the place.
Sandy: You've got a yen for fishing villages? So go out to Long Island, have a ball! But a nowhere place like Collinsport, Maine?
Victoria: I don't really want to go. But I have to.
Sandy: Come on. That doesn't make any sense at all!
Victoria: But it's true. This could be the most important that I've taken in my whole life!
Sandy: To what?
Victoria: [Looks in Mirror] To me. For finding me. For seeing who I really am.
[Flashback Ends]
INT. Collinsport Inn-Diner
[Victoria Continues to Stare in the Mirror. Maggie Comes Up Behind Her and Puts Down an Apple Pie]
Maggie: Did you say you were looking for something?
Victoria: Oh, I was thinking.
Maggie: Say you are in trouble! Talking to yourself, and you haven't even been up to the hill yet! Maybe you belong there.
Victoria: Maybe I do.
INT. Blue Whale
[Burke and Det Wilbur Strake Continue to Talk]
Wilbur: The big problem was the old lady. Elizabeth Stoddard. There's not much that I could dig up on her.
Burke: Does she still run the business?
Wilbur: She makes all the important decisions, if that's what you mean. The manager of the fishing fleet comes up to see her about once a week.
Burke: Does she ever go into town?
Wilbur: Nope.
Burke: So, that hasn't changed.
Wilbur: The best I could learn Mr. Devlin is that Elizabeth Collins Stoddard hasn't left that hill in 18 years.
Burke: Did you find out why?
Wilbur: Well there are a number of stories going around, none of them really make much sense. They'll all be in the report. Personally, I think she needs a keeper.
Burke: Perhaps she's getting one.
Wilbur: Like who? You?
Burke: No, a girl who doesn't know what she's getting into.
INT. Collinsport Inn-Diner
[Victoria is Drinking her Coffee. Maggie is Talking to Her]
Maggie: The thing I would do is stay here at the hotel overnight, go up to the house in the morning, and then make up my mind.
Victoria: Well I'm not sure.
[Mr. Wells Enters]
Mr. Wells: Maggie's bending your eye?
Maggie: Just giving her a little sound advice, that's all.
Mr. Wells: Don't listen to her Miss Winters, she'll have you running for the hills before you have time to pack your bag..you're taxis here.
Victoria: Thank you.
[Mr. Wells Exits]
Maggie: What are you going to do?
Victoria: Just what I came up here to do. Thanks for the pie.
Maggie: Consider it part of your last meal. Good luck.
[Victoria Gets Up and Goes to the Door that leads to the lobby. Before she leaves, she turns back to look at Maggie]
Victoria: Tell me the truth. You were just trying to make me nervous, weren't you?
Maggie: Sure. Sure I was honey. You'll have a ball.
EXT. Collinwood
[A Taxi Pulls Up to the Front of Collinwood. Victoria Gets Out and Goes to the Door. Using a knocker, she knocks on the door. The Door is opened by Elizabeth Collins Stoddard]
Victoria: I'm Victoria Winters. Is Mrs-
Elizabeth: Come in Miss Winters.
[Victoria Enters. Elizabeth Closes the Door]
INT. Collinwood-Foyer
[Victoria Puts Her Suitcase Down in the Middle of the Foyer. Elizabeth Enters After Her. The Camera Pulls Back, Goes Through the Drawing Room, and Out the Window]
THE END
starring
JOAN BENNETT
as
Elizabeth Collins Stoddard
Burke Devlin...
MITCHELL RYAN
Roger Collins...
LOUIS EDMONDS
Wilbur Strake...
JOSEPH JULIAN
Mrs. Hopewell...
ELIZABETH WILSON
Maggie Evans...
KATHRYN LEIGH SCOTT
Mrs. Mitchell...
JANE ROSE
Hotel Clerk... (aka Mr. Wells)
CONRAD BAIN
Sandy...
KATHERINE BRUCE
Train Conductor...
ALFRED HINCKLEY
and
ALEXANDRA MOLTKE
as
Victoria Winters
fashions from
OHRBACH'S
series created by
DAN CURTIS
executive producer
produced by
ROBERT COSTELLO
directed by
LELA SWIFT
story created and written by
ART WALLACE
Dan
Curtis
Productions
copyright ©1966
FACTS ABOUT THIS EPISODE:
- It was taped twice, so that Dark Shadows would have have a good first episode.
- The first three/four episodes have a extended version of the end theme.
- Lela Swift also directed the last episode of the series.
- This episode had the largest cast, with a total of 11. The second largest cast for an episode was #1245, which featured 10 cast members.
- Alfred Hinckley also appeared in an episode during the 1897 storyline, as a doctor.
- Joseph Julian was also in episode two. Elizabeth Wilson appeared again in episode eight.
I will be posting a transcript of episode 405 sometime within the next two weeks.