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Post by gregm on Oct 30, 2016 5:14:48 GMT
Josette duPres' Portrait (supplementary material) Possible bone of contention (?): Some reference materials state that the portrait was commissioned by Barnabas' mother, Naomi Collins. It's possible that this was actually stated at some point in the show, but the episode usually referenced is 402 (source of the color still above where Angelique and Barnabas are looking at the newly unpacked portrait). In episode 402, when the portrait first arrives, Naomi announces the arrival of a parcel (which contains the portrait), but the parcel also contains a letter from Josette which suggests the portrait was commissioned by her father, Andre duPres: "My father insisted that this be his wedding gift to you. I laughed at first and said, 'Papa, Barnabas will have me, why does he need a portrait?'"Later, when Angelique offers to remove the portrait and put it in storage, Barnabas declines and says that he will talk to Mr. duPres the next day to see if Mr. duPres would like to have the portrait instead. Of course, it is later stated that Josette's portrait was painted in 1897, after all the events it is strongly tied to in 1896 had occurred. Dark Shadows is full of contradictions. Personally, I think either parents of the bride and groom wanting a portrait of one of the couple only as a wedding present is in questionable taste... but it may make more sense for Andre duPres to want a portrait of Josette, but probably to take home to Martinique than leave behind in Collinwood. It might make sense, perhaps, if it was commissioned to be a counterpart of the Barnabas portrait by either Andre or Naomi as a gesture to show Josette was important as her fiance to be presented at the wedding. But I'm heading off into pure fan fiction now...
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Post by barnabaslives on Oct 30, 2016 7:14:33 GMT
Actually you raise several really good points there. Perhaps it is in poor taste only featuring Josette, but possibly on account of a likeness of Barnabas being unavailable to an overseas artist at the time? (In 402 when Naomi announces the arrival of the package, she states that it's from France).
I know things only make so much sense sometimes on Dark Shadows but I mostly wanted to make some sort of note-to-self that the DS Wikipedia entry for 402 might be in need of a slight correction as I couldn't find actually anything in that particular episode to suggest that Naomi commissioned the portrait, only her announcing the arrival of a package (and her accidentally being served a poisoned sherry). :-)
You might very well be absolutely right that the portrait of Josette was intended to hang side-by-side with the portrait of Barnabas in lieu of a wedding portrait featuring both of them.
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Post by silverednickle on Oct 30, 2016 16:35:13 GMT
From what I recall of portraiture, it's not uncommon at the time to have separate portraits done. Posing was enough of a time-consuming process without have to orchestrate around even more schedules, especially if the bride to be is in Martinique and the bridegroom in America. It also would have been a sign of wealth to be able to have not one but two paintings done.
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Post by barnabaslives on Oct 30, 2016 22:01:59 GMT
Quentin Collins' 'Devils Mark' Ring. Quentin Collins (1840) owns a ring with a curious design (and someone in Collinsport owns a talisman with the same design that they are using to exert evil influence over others). When Lorna Bell visits the funeral home to pay her respects to Roxanne Drew, she is invited to a private memorial service, but the real intention is for Lorna to serve as a ritual sacrifice. She is found with a strange mark on her forehead. Undertaker Lamar Trask observes that the mark is the same as the design of Quentin's ring. Lamar insinuates that Quentin murdered Lorna, and identifies the design as "the Devil's Mark" (1142). Lamar: Lorna was found with the mark of Satan on her forehead... Lamar: The mark of Satan, Mr. Collins. The same mark you wear. The same mark that is on that ring. (1142) Later, Roxanne's brother Randall is strangled. A piece of paper with the Devil's Mark design is found next to him, pinned to the ground with a knife, and Lamar discovers Quentin at the scene kneeling over Randall's body (1155-1156). Quentin is arrested for murder (1157). The judge concedes to Desmond that the evidence against Quentin is only circumstantial and insufficient, but Lamar Trask has gathered a set of depositions that result in the charge being changed to witchcraft (a crime punishable by death by beheading) instead of being dismissed (1162). Judge Wiley: The articles of our statehood specify that we keep those laws engendered upon us when we were a part of the royal colony of Massachusetts. Therefore in accordance with law 119 dated 23 April, 1696 a citizen can be charged with witchcraft if there are depositions from six citizens claiming from personal experience acts of witchcraft and naming the perpetrator of said evil. Therefore, Quentin Collins, I hereby, by the power invested in me, charge you with the infamous practices of witchcraft. (1162) Charles Dawson, acting as prosecutor in Quentin's witchcraft trial, brings up the mark and questions Lamar Trask about its significance (1178). Trivia: Lorna Bell was played by Christopher Pennock's wife at that time, Marilyn Joseph. The voiceover introduction to episode 1156 by Virginia Vestoff (Samantha Collins) contains a clue to the identity of Randall Drew's killer.
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Post by gregm on Oct 31, 2016 19:10:03 GMT
Andreas Petofi's glasses
Count Andreas Petofi was a sorceror of prodigious power, rightly feared by all. But no one is powerful in every regard, and Petofi was no exception. He had very poor eyesight, which he corrected with the aid of very strong, purple-lensed glasses. His weak eyesight is a characteristic of his own body; when he magically possesses the body of another person, the strength of that person's eyesight is enjoyed by Petofi. In his own body, Petofi was at a disadvantage when not wearing his glasses, and so he was almost never not wearing them. In the final cataclysmic encounter in Charles Delaware Tate's studio between Barnabas Collins and Count Petofi in 1897, Petofi fell in the conflagration and apparently died (although the death of his physical body was not enough to end Petofi forever). His glasses were found among the ashes of the studio.
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Post by barnabaslives on Oct 31, 2016 23:11:54 GMT
Jeff Clark's Shovel. After returning from her trip back in time to 1795, Victoria Winters is involved in an automobile accident. Also involved are Barnabas Collins and a stranger, Jeff Clark. Jeff looks exactly like Peter Bradford, the man who Vicki fell in love with in 1795, who tried to help defend her against witchcraft charges but who ended up sentenced to hang along with her. "Hey, Jeff! Guess what! Dark Shadows is having a contest - whoever can dig up the most graves, gets to marry Vicki Winters!" On yer marks... Vicki falls in love with Jeff Clark and is optimistic that he will somehow turn out to be Peter Bradford, although Jeff is generally made uncomfortable by the idea that he might have been Peter. Jeff suffers from a serious case of amnesia and cannot remember his past, which has helped to previously land him in an institution for the criminally insane, and to put him at the mercy of Dr. Lang's exploitation. He faces some stiff competition from Barnabas Collins, but Jeff takes the lead then finally secures it once and for all by digging up his own grave to see if he's in it.(This actually happens. On Jeff's wedding day. Episode 625) Lang uses extortion to coerce Jeff into gathering body parts from graveyards for use in strange experiments. Jeff tries to free himself of his involvement in Dr. Lang's work for own his sake and for Vicki's, but he finds it may not be easy to stay clear of the ghoulish affair for long - especially once Nicholas Blair takes an interest in Lang's experiments.
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Post by gregm on Nov 1, 2016 12:53:52 GMT
Roger Collins' brandy decanter
Roger Collins, to put it mildly, enjoys a drink - and his tipple of choice is brandy. He drinks it at the Blue Whale and he drinks it at Collinwood. Brandy was the cause of a car accident that ended the life of Mr Hansen, the friendship between Roger and Burke Devlin (and Burke's freedom for five years), but it cemented is relationship with Laura Murdoch and lead to their marriage, and lead to the birth of their son, David*. Almost 10 years after leaving Collinwood, Roger returned, a changed man. But one thing hadn't changed: the brandy. One of the most common items in his hands is a decanter of brandy. If Roger believed in magic, it would be that this decanter magically refilled itself. Better to think that, than to remember the resentment of his sister, Elizabeth, that she was meeting his seeming addiction to brandy. * It is thought by some that David is the son of Burke Devlin, not Roger Collins.
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Post by barnabaslives on Nov 1, 2016 23:44:06 GMT
Countess duPres' Tarot Fan. Irrespective of the frequency of ill omens, Josette's aunt Natalie - the Countess duPres - has a noted fondness for the Tarot cards. On her way to return Natalie's fan, the duPres' servant Angelique Bouchard pauses a moment to show the fan's Tarot motif to Naomi Collins (377).
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Post by barnabaslives on Nov 2, 2016 23:22:38 GMT
Maggie Evans' Ring. After unsuccessfully pleading with Barnabas to see that her father Sam gets her ring, a captive Maggie offers Willie Loomis her ring, hoping to appeal to Willie's weakness for the luster of jewelry and possibly gain some ground toward regaining her freedom. Willie takes the ring, but loses it outside the Old House where it is found by David. David returns to Collinwood with it and shows it to Vicki, who almost succeeds in reading the inscription. Barnabas arrives at Collinwood and learns of David's find. Barnabas claims the ring as part of a selection of family jewelry that he was having Willie take to sell, and leaves Collinwood with the ring in his possession (253). Seventy-five episodes later, Barnabas is still little more than a hundred episodes out of his coffin, and at this point still remains such a raging rat batstard that he's willing to concoct a plan to frame Willie for Maggie's kidnapping. After announcing his plan to Julia so that he will have an accomplice to another crime he is committing all by himself, Barnabas plants the ring in Willie's room at the Old House. Later, when Barnabas shows Sheriff Patterson and Maggie's father Sam to Willie's room to look for clues to Maggie's disappearance, Barnabas "finds" the ring. His left hand swings wide as he nearly karate chops the candlestick holder to make certain that it "accidentally" topples over, revealing the ring concealed beneath the candlestick (328). Barnabas: "Oh, how clumsy of me... Look! A ring!" --- Sheriff Patterson: "That's the evidence we were looking for. Willie Loomis has got to be our man."Willie's adventures continue from about here in the Big Finish audio drama, Echoes of Insanity.
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Post by gregm on Nov 3, 2016 4:54:58 GMT
Seaweed found in a locked room
One of the new mysteries in Collinwood after the arrival of Victoria Winters was the death of the manager of the Collins Fishing Fleet and Cannery. Malloy said he knew something about the car accident that saw Burke Develin imprisoned for manslaughter, but before he could reveal what he knew he disappeared. His body was later found, washed up in the rocks at the base of Widows' Hill by Victoria Winters and Carolyn Stoddard. Victoria is particularly badly affected by discovering the badly damaged body. A short time later, David Collins has tricked Victoria into the disused west wing of Collinswood, searching for Burke Devlin's lost filigree pen. He locks Victoria in a room, having told her a story about a girl who had been trapped in that room and died before she was discovered. After much futile calling for help, Victoria falls asleep. She is awakened by the seaweed-draped ghost of Bill Malloy, telling her to get away from Collinsport before she too is killed. After the ghost disappears, Victoria wonders if she dreamed it all - the strongest argument against this is the wet seaweed on the floor of the room.
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Post by barnabaslives on Nov 4, 2016 1:04:41 GMT
Nicholas Blair's Magic Mirror. Nicholas Blair moves into the house by the sea. Hanging on the wall there is a mirror (558) which seems to have magical properties, which Nicholas uses to see distant events and influence distant persons. Nicholas, in the company of Angelique (now his servant), uses the mirror to view, and wield influence upon, Victoria Winters (559). Later, Nicholas uses the mirror to contact and interrogate Willie Loomis about the status of Dr. Lang's experiments (574). Nicholas shows the mirror to Adam and they spy on Angelique speaking with Jeff (602). Nicholas also uses the mirror to spy on Stokes, Julia, and Barnabas as they are planning (605). Angelique is able to use the mirror and does so in Nicholas' absence a number of times, eavesdropping on Julia and Jeff in the laboratory (580), Nicholas together with Maggie (Joe Haskell is witness to the mirrors' workings on this occasion) at the Evans' cottage (607), a struggle between Barnabas and Adam (620), and Nicholas speaking to Eve (622). Barnabas and Julia find the mirror elsewhere in the house by the sea than its usual place, where Angelique may have left it. Barnabas discovers the mirror when he steps on it but it may have already been broken (627). Perhaps Angelique used the mirror to witness her pursuit by Barnabas and Julia and dropped it in surprise or in her haste to flee, or perhaps Angelique deliberately destroyed the mirror to prevent Blair from using it to pursue her - only this particular mirror seems to be used for these purpose by Nicholas or Angelique, perhaps suggesting that although incantations seemed to be involved in operating the mirror, its magical powers may be intrinsic.
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Post by barnabaslives on Nov 4, 2016 22:55:57 GMT
Collinsport Newspapers. A wealth of information about the town of Collinsport, its history, and its people can be found in the town's newspapers and newspaper archives. Click image for larger view. Center row, l to r: Courier dated April 11, 1797 describing an attack on Purity Browning by an "unknown vicious animal" (1163); Courier dated Oct 26, 1867 with text about Laura mysteriously faded after contact with her (180); Star dated Oct 1803, describing one of the Bedford atrocities (1123).Middle row, l to r: Probably the Star, Oct 1803 or later, describing Bedford atrocities & trial (1123); Star with Matthew Morgan on front page (116); Star with headline about Maggie Evans' disappearance (238).Bottom row, l to r: Editions of the Star describing incidents involving Barnabas Collins and Chris Jennings (319, 675 respectively); Star dated Oct 24, 1973 with headline about arrival of TV host Tom Lacey (Big Finish audio, "Beyond the Grave").Note: the DS Wiki entry for the Courier suggests that the Courier was renamed as or replaced by the Star but may be overlooking the Courier article from 1867. Taken together, the available newspapers suggest that the Collinsport Courier and the Collinsport Star may have both operated at the same time from at least 1803 to 1867, perhaps making it possible that they were either competing newspapers, or that they might have been two separate editions - morning and evening, or weekday and weekend? - from the same publisher under separate names. Prop blooper: In episode 677, a newspaper is seen on a chair at Chris' cottage but it is the newspaper from episode 238 describing Maggie's disappearance rather than the newspaper from episode 675 describing a recent slaying.
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Post by barnabaslives on Nov 6, 2016 2:25:01 GMT
Carolyn Stoddard Hawkes' Horoscope (aka The Unfinished Horoscope, which it is often referred to as). After Barnabas and Julia exit from Parallel Time, the mysterious room in the East wing takes them into the future to the year 1995. The deranged Carolyn who they encounter in their future gives them a list of occurrences that herald the destruction of Collinwood in 1970 (1067). One of the portents on the list is a horoscope that goes unfinished. Elizabeth Stoddard hires astrologer Sebastian Shaw to chart her horoscope (1073). When Sebastian brings the finished horoscope to Collinwood, Carolyn opens the door and is shocked that he looks identical to her late husband, Jeb Hawkes (1074). Intrigued with Sebastian and his resemblance to Jeb, Carolyn begins to express interest in having her horoscope done also in spite of her skepticism of astrology. After Elizabeth attempts to discourage her from doing so, Carolyn contacts Sebastian and arranges to have him draw up her astrological chart (1080). Very soon, however, Sebastian comes to Collinwood and after questioning her about her sincerity in seeking to know her fortune, he informs Carolyn that he will not be completing her horoscope. Sebastian: You don't believe in astrology at all do you? Carolyn: I never have. Sebastian: You're honest! That will make this easier. I started your horoscope, Mrs. Hawkes, but I had difficulty finishing it. Carolyn: Why? Sebastian: You didn't come to me for your horoscope did you?... Sebastian: I'm not going to finish your horoscope Mrs Hawkes. I think it would be best for your sake if we never saw each other again. Carolyn: But Mr. Shaw - I'm quite willing to have you finish it. Sebastian: I only work for those who have the need to believe. Barnabas Collins goes to see Sebastian to beseech him to finish Carolyn's horoscope but Sebastian declines. Sebastian: No, Mr. Collins. I chose who I work for and I choose not to work for you either. (1081) Next, Barnabas attempts to appeal to Sebastian's assistant, Roxanne Drew, who also declines completion of the horoscope. Barnabas: Since you work together perhaps you could finish it yourself? Roxanne: Mr Collins, we do work together. I couldn't possibly do something that he's refused to finish. (1082)
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Post by gregm on Nov 6, 2016 10:26:02 GMT
Edith Collins' butterfly pinEarly in the 19th century, Edith Collins met and loved a man named Redmond Van Buren. For all his fine looks, Redmond was evil and and something of a sorcerer. One night, after dancing together in a mirrored ballroom in Collinwood, Redmond seduced Edith and planned to gain power through the spirits that inhabit Collinwood. Realising Redmond's dark dreams, Edith slew him in the mirrored ballroom. She left there her ballgown and a beautiful sapphire butterfly pin that would remind her of Redmond, and had the ballroom sealed up forever. Or so she thought... In 1874, Edith still lived in Collinwood. The family were largely scattered, and Edith was tended to by her romantic granddaughter, Judith. Judith would rather read, and helped her grandmother begrudgingly. One day, while seeking a copy of a book, Judith found a doorway behind a bookcase that ledthe mirrored ballroom. Amongst other items, Judith found the ballgown and the butterfly pin. The ghost of Redmond Van Buren was inside the mirrors, and over a few nights he tried to seduce Judith in her dreams, also speaking of Edith in unflattering terms. Finding Judith dancing in the ballroom by herself (but with Redmond in the reflections in the mirrors), Edith seeks to extract Judith from Edith's ballgown, the fight breaking many mirrors, Judith is brought to her senses when she cuts herself on the butterfly pin. Looking closely, she sees Redmond's reflection in it too. Judith smashes the pin, which apparently kills Redmond. Appearances: Dress Me in Dark Dreams
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Post by gregm on Nov 6, 2016 10:29:21 GMT
Hi all. I'm crrently away from home with limited internet access and almost no Dark Shadows to refer to. Hopefully I'll be able to make a few more regular posts here...
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Post by barnabaslives on Nov 6, 2016 23:18:44 GMT
Tony Peterson's Lighter. When Tony Peterson and Carolyn go into the drawing room for a private discussion, he leaves his briefcase on the foyer table. Cassandra makes use of the opportunity to steal Tony's cigarette lighter. Later, she uses the lighter to summon Tony to the gazebo. Once he is there, she lights the lighter and holds it in before his eyes, putting him into a trance and making him her slave (477). Awhile later, Cassandra summons Tony back to the gazebo and again puts him under her spell, ordering him to steal the talisman (on loan from Professor Stokes) that is protecting Dr. Lang from her magic (481). When she is being weakened by Sam Evans tampering with her magical portrait, Cassandra issues another summons to Tony and using the lighter to put him under her spell once more, makes him promise he will do what he can about the situation. She wants Tony to find her portrait and steal it. Carolyn arrives and finds the two together at the gazebo, and Cassandra soon flees, apparently still having Tony's lighter and taking it with her (499). Later still, under Cassandra's influence, Tony visits Professor Stokes for the stated purpose of having the Professor help to identify an artifact. After introducing himself as "Arthur Hailey," Tony attempts to surreptitiously poison Stokes' sherry (509-510). Further adventures of Cassandra and Tony (including the return of Tony's lighter) can be heard in the Big Finish audio dramas The Death Mask, The Voodoo Amulet, The Last Stop, The Phantom Bride, and The Devil Cat.
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Post by Zagreus on Nov 6, 2016 23:48:08 GMT
The Unsolved Cases File of the Collinsport PDOver the years, there have been a number of strange and unsolved cases that have swept through the small fishing town of Collinsport, and the "unsolved" tray at the local PD has grown quite large. From the mysterious death of Laura Collins in another state... right before she arrived in town to pick up her son, David, to the mysterious kidnapping, anemia, and amnesia of Maggie Evans, to the mysterious disappearance of Victoria Winters, to the mass hysteria on Halloween during a live broadcast, to the strange old abandoned sailing ship that drifted in to port, before mysteriously burning down, leaving behind no wreckage in the water, to the strange attacks of the locals, seemingly by supernatural creatures, the list goes on and on and on. And that's not even going in to all the lesser profile townsfolk deaths, animal killings, and strange happenstances around town.
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Post by gregm on Nov 7, 2016 9:37:44 GMT
Elizabeth Collins Stoddard's model of her mausoleum
After Elizabeth Collins Stoddard sees Cassandra Collins kissing Tony Peterson, she approaches Cassandra and threatens to tell her brother Roger, Cassandra's husband, what she has seen. Elizabeth is unaware that Cassandra is a facade worn by the witch Angelique, who lays a curse on Elizabeth - a curse of morbid fascination with her own death. Over time, and after a suicide attempt, a stay in Windcliff, a brief sighting of the vampire Tom Jennings with his coffin, and dream visitations from Angelique, Elizabeth becomes afraid that she will appear to die but be buried alive, Elizabeth develops a plan and presents her family with a model of the mausoleum she wants - complete with an alarm bell that can be activated from within the coffin in case of premature burial. The new terms of her will require that they follow her wishes to the letter and bury her in the full-size version when it is built...
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Post by barnabaslives on Nov 8, 2016 1:15:43 GMT
Collinsport Inn Sign. Located on the main street of Collinsport, the Collinsport Inn is home to the Collinsport Diner. Collinsport Inn sign as it appears in 1795 (left), on the day of Victoria Winters' arrival in Collinsport (center), and on the day of Victoria Winters' wedding in 1968 (from episodes 383, 1, and 637). When Victoria Winters arrives in Collinsport for the very first time, the Inn is the first place she goes after leaving the train station, sharing a ride with a man who she has just met, Burke Devlin. Vicki: Excuse me, I wonder if you'd know if they have any taxis here? Burke: I wouldn't know what they have here - not any more. Vicki: Well how do they expect anyone to get to town? Burke: Broomsticks and unicorns... and chauffered car. Can I give you a lift? I can take you to the hotel, you'll get a taxi there. Vicki: That's very kind of you Mr... Burke: Devlin. Burke Devlin. Vicki: I'm Victoria Winters. Burke: Welcome to the beginning and the end of the world, Miss Winters.
On her first visit to the Inn, Victoria meets waitress Maggie Evans (1). Maggie has her first fateful meeting with Barnabas Collins while working at the Diner (221). Eventually, Maggie becomes owner and operator of the Inn when the Collins family makes a gift to her of it (full-cast audio, The House of Despair). Some of the persons of note who have stayed at the Collinsport Inn include: Burke Devlin, actress Olivia Corey, Chris Jennings, Ned and Sabrina Stuart, Tim Shaw and Amanda Harris, and Alfie Chapman and Emma Finney, as well as honeymooners Josette and Jeremiah Collins, Jeff and Victoria Clark who were married at the Inn, and Mike and Melody Devereux.
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Post by gregm on Nov 8, 2016 9:20:48 GMT
Another brick in the wall
A number of people have been immured (from the Latin meaning "shut up in the walls"). The cases of immurement were: - 1795 - Reverend Trask was immured in a wall in the cellar of the Old House by Barnabas Collins. He died.
- 1840 - Barnabas Collins was immured by Lamar Trask in the Trask Funeral Palor. He survived after being rescued by Julia Hoffman and Angelique Collins.
- 1897 - Quentin Collins was immured in his rooms, He died. But aftyer Barnabas Collins and Julia Hoffman's influence changes history, Quentin lives and this event is replaced by...
- 1897 - Gregory Trask was immured by Judith Collins Trask (Trask's second wife) and Tim Shaw (a former pupil of Trask's) in Quentin Collins' rooms. He died.
- 1968 - Barnabas Collins was immured by the Ghost of Reverend Trask in a wall in a cellar of the Old House. This is the same place as Trask had been immured in 1795, so a revenge by turning the tables. Barnabas surives, being rescued by Julia Hoffman and Willie Loomis.
A common final thing seen by all those immured is seeing their enemy through a brick-sized gap in the wall erected. The last thing they see is the insertion of another brick in the wall...
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