317
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| ← Dark Shadows (1966) episode 317 → | |
| Episode number | 313 |
| Timeline | 1967 |
| First aired | September 12, 1967 |
| Narrated by | Grayson Hall |
| Written by | Gordon Russell |
| Directed by | Lela Swift |
Contents |
[edit] Synopsis
Teaser
- The fate of a little boy, trapped in the secret chamber of an old tomb has been a matter of grave concern at Collinwood. Now that the boy has been found, there is a feeling that the crisis has passed. But, in fact, it has not. As the sun goes down, the little boy's life is still in jeopardy. For, at the Old House on the Collinwood estate, there is one who fears that the boy has learned his dark and evil secret.
With the church bell tolling in the distance, Barnabas Collins gazes malevolently at Collinwood and prepares to go out. But he is prevented by the arrival of Dr. Julia Hoffman. Fearing that Barnabas will harm David Collins in an attempt to keep his vampiric nature secret, Julia warns him of the mistake he will be making. But Barnabas has no intention of harming David... yet. He plans to confirm his suspicions first and, if they are justified, then David will die.
Act I
Barnabas wants no interference on Julia's part, and refuses to divulge how he will go about learning if David knows his secret or not. Julia tries to prevent him from leaving by convincing him David knows nothing. However, Barnabas is adamant on discovering the truth. After he leaves the Old House, Julia follows him.
Meantime, at the Evans cottage, Sam Evans meets with Dr. Dave Woodard and discusses his theory that the Collinsport Strangler and the Mausoleum are somehow connected. He believes the secret place David and Sarah Collins play is the Collins tomb. Although Woodard initially dismisses Sam's notion, he agrees to go along and help Sam examine the mausoleum. Sam brings along a gun for protection in case he and Woodard encounter anything unfriendly along the way.
Act II
Julia has followed Barnabas to Eagle Hill Cemetery. Not far away, Sam and Woodard also arrive at the graveyard. Thunder rumbles overhead as the two men make their way toward the mausoleum. Meanwhile, Julia makes her presence known as Barnabas starts to open the secret room behind Naomi Collins' tomb. He warns her to return to Collinwood, but Julia refuses. She reminds him that her experiments to cure him have been going too well, and she doesn't believe he will harm her. Julia points out that the vampire has shared all his other secrets with her, there is no reason not to share the secret of the mausoleum too.
Act III
As Sam and Dr. Woodard approach the mausoleum, they encounter the Caretaker. He warns the other two men about the ghosts inhabiting the Collins tomb, and speaks of a curse mentioned in a journal written by Joshua Collins before he died.
Inside the mausoleum, Barnabas has relented and given into Julia's demands. He tells her that he was chained inside his coffin, which was placed within the tomb. Barnabas goes on to reveal the secret room. He and Julia move within, where Barnabas' original coffin still rests. Julia is astonished that the room has remained secret for over 100 years. Barnabas searches the room and discovers the proof he was looking forward: David's broken penknife.
Act IV
Barnabas and Julia leave the secret room, with the former certain David knows far too much. Startled by voices outside the mausoleum, he and Julia retreat back inside the secret room... mere moments before Dr. Woodard and Sam enter the tomb. The two men search around, with Woodard examining the plaques adorning the three graves. Both are taken aback when they discover Sarah's name among them. Woodard surmises that the Sarah who aided Maggie Evans and befriended David is, in fact, a ghost.
[edit] Memorable quotes
[edit] Dramatis personae
- Jonathan Frid as Barnabas Collins
- Grayson Hall as Dr. Julia Hoffman
- David Ford as Sam Evans
- Robert Gerringer as Dr. Dave Woodard
- Daniel F. Keyes as Caretaker
[edit] Background information and notes
- Barnabas claims to have been chained inside his coffin on the day his vampirism was discovered. This, of course, would be retroactively challenged in later episodes.
