The Lara Parker Memorial/DS “Celebration”

[Sgt. Saunders]

On July 5, 2024 there will be an event to memorialize the late Lara Parker, who portrayed Angelique Bouchard, the beautiful and sinister witch, who maintained a decidedly love/hate type of relationship with Barnabas Collins over the centuries.

Ms. Parker was absolutely superb in her role as Dark Shadows’ greatest female villain. And, with the many fans she met at the Dark Shadows Festivals over the years, Ms. Parker was always kind, cheerful and gracious. Ms. Parker was obviously respected and beloved by all of the DS fans, who had watched her on ABC when they were young kids and teenagers back during the 1960s.

So, when I first heard that a memorial event to honor Ms. Parker would be held in Los Angeles this July, I was very delighted. Several years before, there had been a similar memorial event to honor the late Dennis Patrick, another beloved DS actor, who had portrayed the devious and cunning Jason McGuire and also the doomed Paul Stoddard (estranged husband of Elizabeth Collins Stoddard and father of Carolyn Stoddard) on the show.

That Dennis Patrick memorial was conducted with class, dignity and respect as people remembered Mr. Patrick’s life and acting career. So, I had expected that
Ms. Parker’s upcoming memorial ceremony would be handled in the same way.

Unfortunately, I’ve learned that on the very next day (July 6, 2024) after Ms. Parker is to be remembered and eulogized, there is a plan to hold a Dark Shadows “celebration” to commemorate Jonathan Frid’s 100th birthday. Now, while the Lara Parker memorial event will be free and open to the public, there will be a $60.00 charge to attend the DS “celebration” the next day.

While I think that it’s great that the beloved Lara Parker will be honored at a memorial event, I believe that it is incredibly tacky and unseemly to try and make a buck on the very day after Ms. Parker is memorialized with some silly and unnecessary DS “celebration.”

I think that this DS “celebration” with its inevitable sale of DS-related books, photographs and other kitschy items at the event is an extremely crass and cynical attempt to derive money from the DS fans, who will travel to Los Angeles to honor the memory of this beloved DS actress. I can only imagine what Ms. Parker’s husband and adult children think about this all-too-obvious money-grab on the day after she is honored by the individuals running this other ill-advised event.

If they want to hold a DS “celebration” to recognize Jonathan Frid’s 100th birthday, then they SHOULD hold it several months AFTER Ms. Parker’s memorial event. But, then again, the individuals running this DS “celebration” would not have nearly as profitable an opportunity (for them) to make a greater financial profit if they did.

Shame on them.

[Sgt. Saunders]

I guess that some people will do anything for a buck.

[biffbronson]

Lara Parker
Oct 27, 1938 - Oct 12, 2023
May Her Memory Be Eternal!

[Sgt. Saunders]

Yes, requiem aeternam, Ms. Parker.

[stevea]

Originally Posted by biffbronson

Lara Parker
Oct 27, 1938 - Oct 12, 2023
May Her Memory Be Eternal!

Right on Biff!

What a wonderful lady. The only problem was that she wasn't on the show enough!!