Collinwood; The year 1971. A house held prisoner by the wiles of an evil warlock. The house is under quarantine as a dreadful disease has been introduced to house by Judah Zachary, in the hopes that being cut off from the outside world, his takeover of the estate, and all those who dwell within, will be assured. He is unaware, that in another part of the house, two men have made a journey. A journey to retrieve an ancient volume they hope will defeat his vengeful reign of terror...
The woods on the great Collinwood Estate are quiet. The Camera pans past several bushes and trees and then it stops. A haze appears and suddenly a staircase appears with a door located on the landing at the top. The door opens and brightly swirling lights appear. A moment later, Desmond Collins and Eliot Stokes emerge from the doorway. Desmond's eyes widen in shock. Stokes thick lip protrudes as they both look about. Desmond turns to Stokes and says, "Professor; The laboratory; where is Quentin's laboratory?" Both men gaze about them in total confusion as five ascending dramatic notes sound.
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Professor Stokes rubs his lower lip as he looks about with great puzzlement at the phenomenon. He slowly descends the steps until he reaches the ground. "Incredible!" he says as he tries to make sense of the matter. Desmond also steps off onto the ground and asks, "Where is Collinwood? The bottom of these stairs was built in the same spot where I destroyed the original one. We should be in Quentin's laboratory right now." Stokes walks a short distance and looks all about. Both men look at the staircase, sitting there as if it had been built on that very spot. As the looked at it, they saw it vanish before their very eyes. Desmond looks at Stokes in utter shock and asks, "What does it all mean?" Stokes replies, "If it means what I think it does, you may not like the answer." He points due southwest and asks Desmond, "Do you recognize that landmark, Desmond?" Desmond looks and replies, "Well sure, it's Lookout Point." Stokes then directs his attention eastward and asks, "and beyond that rise?" Desmond says, "Widows Hill lies beyond that rise." Stokes nodded and said, "Indeed! Now using those two landmarks as markers where would we be standing in 1841?" Desmond did a mental calculation and with a puzzled look and declares. "We should be standing right in the foyer of Collinwood!" Stokes takes a few steps and says, "That would have been my assessment as well! It would seem, my friend we have returned backward through time, to a period before Collinwood existed!" Desmond's eyes grew wide and his mouth gapes as three dramatic notes sound.
(Setting: A Collinsport tavern)
"Thou shalt take the top card from the deck, Jedediah." The man looked at
him with a puzzled expression. "Thou must make certain that I see it not."
Jedediah looks at the man as if he wonders just what he is up to. "Now, thou
knowest which card thou hast drawn?" He looks at the card and sees it is the
Jack of Spades. Jedediah nodded. "Now, return the card into the center." He
does as he is instructed. The man then shuffles the cards and cuts them. He
mixes them a couple of times and then says, "Drawest any card from the
center of the deck. Jedediah looks at him calculatingly and randomly draws
a card from the center of the deck. The man then asks, "Tell the card thou
hast drawn!" Jedediah lays the Jack of Spades on the table and declared,
"Tis the very card I drew before." The man grinned and gathered up the cards
and returned them to the box. Then Jedediah said, "Judah Zachary, thou art
given over to much foolishness! Why dost thou waste away thy time with such
worthless pursuits?" Judah chuckled and replied, "My dear Jedediah, thou may
regardest it as foolishness, but this shalt become my gateway to a most
prosperous future!" Jedediah chided him and said, "Those who practice this
manner of trickery be vagabonds and gypsies. Thou hast a bright future ahead
of thee. Listen to mine wisdom, and forsake this lunacy!" Judah looked at
him and said, "So unloading the ships on the docks, that be what thou
regardest as a prosperous future? Prosperous only for the Collins, I say!
There is a world, Jedediah! A world that holdeth all the treasures a man
couldst wish for! I hath plans to seize that world and gather unto myself
the rewards it so richly offers." A woman enters the tavern and looks
around. She spots Judah and rushes over to him. She wraps her arms around
his neck and embraces him. She then stands and looks at his friend and
jestingly asks, "Jedediah Thorne! Dost thou corrupt mine husband to be in
this house of ale and vice!" Jedediah smiled and replied, "Be it far from me
to lead thy beloved astray. I must be on my way, to your dreamer, I leave
thee!" He bows and places his hat on his head and departs the tavern. "My
Dearest Laura; Thou art indeed a vision of loveliness. I am most fortunate
to have thee as my pledged. How hast thou spent thy day?" Very excitedly she
began telling of the days events. "Father took me unto the outer parts of
the village. We looked upon lands and fields. I hath found a most perfect
home for us, my love! I wish you to see it! You are certain to desire it as
much as I!" Judah sought to hide his disappointment, but she sensed right
away all was not well. "Why is thy countenance fallen, my love? I was
certain thou wouldst wish to see it as much as I!" Judah's disappointment
grew, and he said, "Have we not talked often of journeying from Collinsport?
No prosperous future awaiteth us here! Our dreams are to be found well
without the bounds of this sleep village! Thou shalt see, mine beloved, Thou
shalt see!" Sadness crosses Laura's face as music twinkles out.
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Stokes and Desmond walk through the woods and approach a clearing. "That lumberjack told us the new cemetery should be around here." Stokes nodded and remarked, "The cemetery may indeed be new to them, Look Desmond!" Stokes points at an archway over a wooden gate. It reads, "Eagle Hill Cemetery." Desmond gasped and said, "Eagle Hill Cemetery is over a hundred years old, Professor!" Stokes nodded and said, "Indeed! It has long been closed to new burials in the 20th century! Look around you, Desmond. There cannot be more than a dozen graves in here all told." Desmond looks confused and then points, "Looks like they're burying someone right now!' Stokes nodded and said, "Excellent! I was hopeful there would be a new grave. Come!" They walk in the direction Desmond had indicated and two men with shovels with hats covering their heads walk away. Stokes and Desmond wander over to the grave. They look at the headstone and Desmond reads, "Amos March, Borne 18 November, 1649, Departed, 11, June, 1677." Stokes pouted and said, "Good lord!" Desmond looked at him and said, "Are you telling me those stairs took us to the year 1677?" Stokes nodded and said, "Unmistakably! You see the evidence before you!" Desmond glared at Stokes and demanded, "Now how is that possible! One end of that staircase is in 1841, the other end is in 1971! How could it put us anywhere else?" Stokes lip protruded and he said, "It is a mystery! I am as puzzled as you are!" Desmond paced nervously and turned suddenly, "How will I ever get back to Leticia?" Stokes replied, "I wish I had an answer. For now we have urgent matters to attend." Desmond looked questioningly and asked, "What kind of urgent matters?" Stokes replied, "You saw how strangely the woodsman looked at us? We must find some period clothing. Also a place to board, and I'm afraid this 20th century currency will be worthless here." Desmond looks amazed at him and says, "You sound like you're planning to settle down and stay!" Stokes registered no emotion, but simply replied, "Hardly. But we must find a way to blend in unnoticed until we can find a way to get back to our own times. How is your Elizabethan English?" Desmond looked shocked and said, "Not very good! Not good at all!" Stokes pursed his lips a moment and then said, "Then I shall have to be our spokesman. We must not seem to be odd. We must seem to be every bit a part of this time until we find a way to return!"
Laura Martin sat crying at the table she had previously joined Judah at. She wiped her eyes with a handkerchief. A middle aged woman entered and looked around. Upon spotting Laura, she rushed over to the table and asked, "What troubleth thee?" Laura looked up and sniffed and replied, "Oh Mother! I told Judah of the cottage Father and I discovered, and he wast not want to go see it! He spake of leaving Collinsport. He sayeth His destiny lieth in another place. Oh mother, I wish not to leave my home!" Lydia Martin looked at her daughter and embraced her. "Now darling, thy father and I wish not to see you go, but we hath taught thee from thy childhood that when thou marriest, thee and thy husband become as one. Whithersoever to goest, I shall go! Dost thou love Judah?" Laura looked at her mother and said, "Thou knowest I love Judah, but he hath changed. He chaseth the sky. He is filled with loftiness. I fear he is not the Judah I have known." Lydia looked knowingly at her and said, "He hath ambition! He is daring, he seeketh to seize the world by the tail. Ambition may carry a man to the parapets, or to utter ruin, and it be hard to judge which, because the path to each is the same." A tall handsome young man entered and passed her table. He looked at her and frowned and said, "A terrible thing it be to see a young lady weep. Thou art far too beautiful to have thy face reddened by tears. I am Amadeus, at your service!" Laura looked up into his kind face and said, "Amadeus! Where hath I heard that name before?" He smiled and said, "I am the son of Isaac Collins." Laura nodded and replied, "Thou seemest to be a gentleman, not at all like unto the tales I hath heard of any who be named Collins!" Amadeus chuckled and said, 'Ahh, you hath heard the rantings of those that bear jealousy in their hearts. Mine father journeyed here from the Old Country with barely the clothes he wore. The great empire thou hast heard of was built on much Collins blood and sweat. Father is greatly despised among those who wish only to have the world presented to them on the silver platter. They see only the result of what he hath laboured for, and not the hard road he trod to obtain it." Laura looked up at him and said, "Well Mr. Amadeus Collins, I am Laura Martin." Amadeus bowed and then asked, "and this other lovely lady? Thine sister, I suppose?" Lydia humbly smiled as Laura replied, "My mother, Lydia Martin." Amadeus bowed and kissed her hand and said, "Tis an honor to meet thine acquaintance, Lydia Martin!" He paused a moment and then said, "Martin! It seemeth I too hath heard the name Martin." Lydia then spoke, "Mine husband, Noah Martin is foreman of thy father's wood mill." Amadeus nodded recognition and replied, "I hath heard him speak often of thy husband." Judah enters the tavern and returns to the table. "Well my love, I have commissioned a carriage. We shall see this cottage that hath caught thine eye. If thou wilt pardon us, dear mother to be, we must take our leave!" He bowed slightly and Lydia gave a slight nod excusing him. He offered his arm to Laura, who then placed her arm in his, and they left the tavern. Amadeus looked at Lydia and said, "I do hope thou wilt excuse me also, good lady. It was pleasant indeed." He bowed once more as she nodded to him. He turned and approached another man sitting at a table across the room. Lydia, then turned and exited the tavern.
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Stokes and Desmond approach a small cottage and knock on the door. As they
wait, Stokes says, "In the 20th century this is the caretaker's cottage at
Collinwood. It seems strange that it's the home of the Collins in this era,
but I suppose even they started with small beginnings." The door opens to
reveal a middle aged man. He looks both of them over strangely and then
says, "Yes?" Stokes then bowed slightly and asked, "You good sir, are Isaac
Collins?" He continued to look at them both and cautiously replied, "I
indeed am Isaac Collins, what may I help you with?" Stokes then said, "Mr.
Collins, my name is Eleazar Stokes, My friend here is a bit unnerved about
coming to you, since he knowest you not. He sayeth you art his uncle!" Isaac
took a candle from inside the house and held it up to Desmond's face.
A look of recognition came over Isaac's face as he says, "Darius? Darius
Collins"
Desmond replies, "Yes Uncle Isaac, I am Darius, son of thy brother Jacob."
Isaac rushed inside apologetically ushering them inside. "Do come in and
pardon the foolishness of an old man. Of course thou art Darius, thou
lookest just as thy father did at thy age. Let me behold thee!" He places
his hands on Desmond's shoulders and looks him up and down. I see that thou
art not beset with immense size of thy father. These clothes! Is this now
the style of dress in the home country?" Stokes then said, "Hardly, thy
nephew and myself were robbed as we arrived at Boston Harbor. The renegades
took all that we had, our clothes as well. Some kind hearted vagabonds
provided us with these." Isaac nodded negatively and said, "Thieves and
cutthroats were not content to remain in the Old Country, but have come to
this new world to further plague us with their plunderings. We shall provide
thee with suitable clothing. Mr. Stokes, I think my things should fit thee
well. My son hath clothing suitable for thee, Darius." He then turns and
shouts out, "Brutus! Brutus I have need of thee." He then turns back to
Desmond and Stokes and says, "Thou shalt meet my other son, Amadeus later."
A door is heard opening and a voice says, "I am here, Father!" Stokes and
Desmond turn and both become wide eyed as the camera holds on Brutus
Collins.
Brutus Collins.
JONATHAN FRID
Isaac Collins.
LOUIS EDMONDS
Lydia Martin.
GRAYSON HALL
Desmond/Darius Collins.
JOHN KARLEN
Amadeus Collins.
DAVID SELBY
Eliot/Eleazar Stokes.
THAYER DAVID
Laura Martin.
DIANA MILLAY
Judah Zachary.
CHRISTOPHER PENNOCK
Jedediah Thorne.
CHRIS BERNAU
Written and Directed by RUSS WILLIAMS
Story Developed and Created by ART WALLACE
Produced By PETER MINER
Associate Producer GEORGE DiCENZO
Fashions courtesy of ORBACH'S
Music composed by ROBERT COBERT
Scenic Design SY TOMASHOFF
Music Supervisor SYBIL WEINBERGER
Costume Design MOSTOLLER
Make up VINCENT LOSCALZO
Associate Producer KEN McEWEN
Assistant to the producer HARRIET ROHR
Unit Manager PATRICK PLEVEN
Technical Director J.J. LUPATKIN
Lighting Director MEL HANDELSMAN
Audio FRANK BAILEY HENRY PLIMACK
Sound Effects ED BLAINEY
Video RUDY PICCIRILLO ROSS SKIPPER
Series created by DAN CURTIS Executive Producer
Had this been an actual episode, the air date would have been June 14, 1971