March 27, 2006

Dan Curtis Stalks the Night No More
The legendary director and producer, Dan Curtis, passed away today at the age of 78 at his home in Brentwood, CA. He has amazing, impressive credits that are outside the horror genre, but for us darklings it's the end of an era.

Curtis was one of the genre-bending movers and shakers behind such 60s and 70s horror classics as Dark Shadows, The Night Stalker, The Night Strangler, The Norliss Tapes, and the 1973 version of Dracula… not to mention the infamous Karen Black TV movie, Trilogy of Terror. He would direct Black again, this time for Burnt Offerings, a 1976 big screen supernatural horror film which costarred Oliver Reed and Bette Davis.

Curtis was diagnosed with a brain tumor in December of last year. Sadly, his wife Norma, who he was married to for over 50 years, died two weeks ago of heart failure.

For me, if I saw Dan Curtis's name in the credits, you were going to be scared. Dark Shadows was the only soap opera I ever liked. I looked forward to it every school day, when I got home.
He was one of the masters of terror, and his work still lives on!

Dammit!

The wife and I are watching the 1990 Dark Shadows remake on DVD. I'll have to give a silent salute next time we pop one in. :(

In addition to his wonderful work in the horror genre Curtis did a terrific job bringing WINDS OF WAR and its sequel to the small screen.

The end of an era indeed. The man knew how to tell a story.

I hope this isn't taken out of context.
The timing of his wifes death to be followed by his, two weeks later is something.
Together in life and in death.


Max Bryant

Loved his stuff!

Anyone remember a made for TV ghost movie I believe he produced with a Victorian female ghost, a basement (with her body under it or behind a wall), and a cameo with her picture in it? I saw it on TV around 1970 or so and I've been trying to remember the name of it. Please forgive me, perhaps this is not the time or place for such trivial ruminations.............

Curtis' 1968 shot-on-tape "The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde" starring Jack Palance is a personal fave of mine.

"Died close together" coincidences includes the two guests of honor at my convention in '94, Ed Bishop & Michael Billington (male leads in Gerry Andersons "UFO", among other things), they died almost exactly one week appart.

For me, if I saw Dan Curtis's name in the credits, you were going to be scared. Dark Shadows was the only soap opera I ever liked. I looked forward to it every school day, when I got home.
He was one of the masters of terror, and his work still lives on!

My sentiments, exactly! The man had the touch for horror that so many others (especially, IMHO, Steven Speilberg and Poltergeist) completely lack. He was to producers what Stephen King was to writers. :thumbsup: