A dreadful curse looms over the Collins family; a curse that began three centuries before. Judah Zachary, a warlock who was condemned to die for his evil practices swore with his last breath to destroy the families of the three men who condemned him to be beheaded for the high crime of sorcery. Two of those families are no more. Amadeus Collins, an ancestor of the present day family headed the tribunal that brought him to justice. In the present time, Judah's ghost has resumed his search for vengeance by possessing one, through whom he hopes to realize his final victory. Two men have traveled back in time seeking to defeat Judah in that earlier era, while others in the present time hope to stall his efforts there. In the nearby town of Collinsport, one such effort is being planned to defeat his evil purposes as the time for all who bear the Collins name, is running out...
Dr. Julia Hoffman paces the study of Lang House. She looks at the clock on
the mantle. It shows the time as 12:20 AM. She walks over to a table and
opens a medical bag that sits on it. She opens the bag and withdraws a small
bottle of liquid and looks at it intently, then with a purposeful look, she
quickly returns it to the bag, which she then picks up from the table and
heads for the study door. As she exits the study and prepares to open the
front door to the house, a voice speaks, "Wheah ya goin, Julia?" Julia
turned around in shock and said, "Oh, it's only you, Willie. You startled
me." Willie reached the bottom of the stairs and said, "You didden say wheah
ya was goin'." Julia cradled the medical bag behind her back and said, "The
air was getting a bit stuffy. I thought I'd go for a short walk." Willie
looked at her with suspicion and said, "You don't lie so good, Julia. I know
bettah! I seen the bag. I know what ya plannin'. Ya plannin' to go back out
to Collinwood, ain't ya?" Julia's eyes dropped, realizing she had been
caught in the act and said, "Yes, Willie. There is a vaccine in my bag that
the rest of the family needs to stay alive; if they aren't dead already. I
must return Willie. I must save their lives if I'm not already too late!"
Willie then responded, "Ya was gonna sneak off an' go out theah all by
yaself, wudden ya?" Julia had no reply, but simply looked down at the bag
which she had now brought around in front of her. "Well I ain't lettin' ya
go out theah all by yaself. If you gonna go out theah, I gotta go with ya.
Its too dangerous to go climin' down those rocks an' roamin' through that
cave all by yaself. It'll be even moah dangerous when ya get inside with
that wahlock in theah"
Julia looked up the stairs, then at Willie. "Where is Selena?" Willie then
replied, "She's sleepin' upstaihs." Julia then said, "I'm sure Barnabas
would want you to stay here and make sure she's safe, Willie." Willie looked
back at her and said, "Ya fagettin' I know Barnabas too, an I know he
woulden' be wantin' you out theah neithah!" Julia's eyes nervously blinked
as she realized he right. She then grew bold and replied, "I must save the
family! I'm going Willie; this medicine is their only hope!" Willie stepped
inside the study and grabbed a flashlight off the mantle and said, "Alright,
but ya ain't goin' out theah by yaself!" Julia opened the front door and
stepped outside. Willie then followed, closing the door behind them.
(Dramatic music rolls.)
(Place Commercials Here)
Quentin Collins stands in front of a wine rack watching the door closely as
if waiting for someone. He turns looking at the bottles arranged in the wall
rack. He withdraws a bottle and looks at the label. He raises his eyebrows
and then chuckles. "All this, and not a thing to drink out of; my kingdom
for a glass!" He replaces the bottle and walks aimlessly about the wine
cellar. He suddenly hears the sound of someone trying to open the outer
door. He quickly slips behind one of the shelves to get out of the open and
carefully watches. The door opens and Barnabas walks in looking equally
cautious. "Quentin?" He whispers. Quentin steps out in the open and says,
"Yes, it's only me. I only got back ahead of you by a couple of minutes. Did
you find a way to get to rest of the family?" Barnabas eyes dropped as he
softly and regretfully replied, "No. He couldn't have found a more secure
place to hold them. The house is riddled with secret passageways, but not
one leads to corridor where he has them held." Quentin nods slightly and
said, "I'm afraid I didn't make much progress either. I had to keep eluding
his henchman. The one you call Adam"
Barnabas then said, "Adam is not a willing accomplice, I assure you. He only
does what Judah requires to guarantee Carolyn's continued existence. I did
learn one very interesting bit of information that may be quite useful to
us." Quentin looked at him in anticipation and said, "Alright, so out with
it man! We could sure stand a bit of good news for a change." Barnabas paced
a couple of steps and said, "I was in the secret passage behind the drawing
room wall. I could tell someone was in the room, and then a moment later it
was confirmed when Adam also came into the drawing room and informed Judah
that he had found no one during his latest search of the house. Judah was
quite angry that the sheriff still has not resumed stationing deputies
outside the house. It seems that the sheriff was never informed by the good
doctor after the quarantine was lifted that it should be resumed." Quentin's
eyes widened as he said, "So there's nobody guarding the house! People could
come and go as they wish?" Barnabas nodded and replied, "Yes. That is what
has him so concerned. Not only does he have to worry about the possibility
that we have returned, but now he also must worry about someone coming
before he has finished his curse." Quentin thought for a moment and then
said, "So apparently word hasn't gotten out that the quarantine has been
lifted. I would have thought the papers would be on top of a story like
that." Barnabas then replied, "Yes, ordinarily there would, but it seems
that a labor dispute in the south quarter has been keeping them otherwise
occupied." Quentin chuckled and said, "So much for small town newspapers!"
Barnabas then said, "Since Adam and Judah are otherwise occupied, I think we
should try again to see if we can reach 1841 and find out what has happened
to Eliot and the journal." Quentin pursed his lips a moment and then said,
"Sure. Anything beats hiding out in this musty old cellar." The two then
turn and cautiously depart, closing the door behind them.
A flashlight beam illuminates a dark, musty cavern. Willie and Julia emerge from where the light originated. A look of exasperation crosses Julia's face for a moment and then asks, "How much further before we reach the cellar, Willie? It seems like we've been down here for a long time." Willie shone the light all around studying the surroundings carefully and then said, "Not much fahthah." He started to take a step forward, and then turned suddenly to Julia and said, "I nevah knew Mrs. Johnson had a sistah in Bangah!" Julia managed a slight smile and said, "Mrs. Johnson is a somewhat private person when it comes to her family. I think it is a good idea that she took the bus to Bangor to see her. Perhaps it will distract her from the things that are happening here." Willie nodded and said, "Yeah, Too many people already gotta worry about what's happenin' up theah. I shuah hope Barnabas and Quentin ah alright; If that monstah has 'em what'll we do?" Julia sighed and replied, "I don't know, Willie. We can only hope they are still free and have found a way to get to Elizabeth and the others." Willie nods in agreement and turns to resume their trek when they hear a shriek from the direction they had just come. Both turned in the direction of the sound in shock, and then looked at each other. "Whadda ya suppose that was, Julia?" Willie asked with wide eyes. Julia swallowed hard and said, "I don't know." Both of them look at the dark passageway from which they had just come. They heard what sounded like a small avalanche follow by another shriek and then the sound rushing footsteps. Both of them breathed rapidly fearing what may be occurring back there, when a figure rushes out into the open. "Selena!" Julia cried out as her face had now become a bit less distressed than it had been before. Selena looked back and forth at the two of them and said, "I heard the front door close and I found both of you gone. I knew this had to be where you were going. I realize that I'm still rather new to things like this, but I can't believe you slipped off without me. You know how much I care for Barnabas." Julia paused a moment grasping for what to say, and then simply said, "You shouldn't have come. You have no idea of the forces you're dealing with!" Not to be dissuaded, Selena replied, "I'm sure there was a time the same thing could have been said for you as well. Ever since I encountered that woman in white, I've known that I'm to be a part of this. I will not turn back now." Julia's face softened as she realized that indeed Selena had been pulled into the midst of the dark actions of Judah Zachary. She then smiled slightly and said, "Yes, you have encountered and become deeply involved in the supernatural occurrences that have affected us all. Are you alright? We heard you cry out earlier." Selena said, "I'm fine. I simply stumbled in the dark. I'll be fine." Willie then spoke and said, "Well, we betta get goin'. The wine cellah ain't much fahthah." He then turned and shone the flashlight into the dark passage. All three then disappear into the tunnel.
A moment later they find themselves in front of the secret panel. Willie
places his ear to the back side of the wine rack and listens intently. After
a moment he removes his ear from the panel and says, "I don't heah nothin,
it should be safe to open it. Julia gives a short nod and then gives a firm
push on the back side of the wine rack. A low moaning sound is heard as the
panel grinds open. They step inside the wine cellar and Willie then
carefully closes the panel back. Selena walked to the door and also listened
before opening it. Julia takes a last look inside the medical bag, and then
follows Selena and Willie into the basement corridor. Julia then said,
"Willie, that room at the end of the hall is where we found Mrs. Johnson. We
should probably make sure Judah hasn't imprisoned anyone else in there. I'll
check out the room at the other end of the hall." Willie looked troubled and
replied, "I doan know, Julia. I think we oughtta stay togethah." Julia then
said, "Yes of course. I only want to check out this one room before go
upstairs." Willie gave a sigh of resignation and said, "Alright Julia." He
turned and opened the door Julia had mentioned as Julia opened the other
door she had spoken of. As soon as Willie and selena stepped inside, Julia's
eyes narrowed and with a determined look on her face, she quietly closed
then door and quickly but quietly slipped up the stairs unseen.
(Dramatic music rolls.)
(Place Commercials Here)
Trevor Halliburton paces about the drawing room of Collinwood. He watches the door in exasperation. He then paces some more and Judah's thoughts are heard audibly. "Why haven't the deputies returned? The doctor was supposed to have the deputies reinstated days ago. My plans are in jeopardy every moment this house is not secured! The telephones are still not working. At least that is not a concern. Perhaps word has not yet spread that the house is no longer guarded. I fear that won't be the case much longer. I must step up my plans. Every Collins must be thought dead of the plague if Halliburton is to inherit the Collins holdings. Once that happens, I will expel the lawyer's life force and this body shall be all mine! I will finally have defeated Amadeus and all his spoils shall belong to me! Finally, I will have my revenge!" He then pauses for a moment and then speaks audibly. "First I shall dispose of Elizabeth Stoddard. She is the one who controls the house and all the Collins holdings..." Adam emerges from the door under the landing and walks toward the drawing room. "...then with Mrs. Stoddard out of the way, the estate will go to Carolyn! Then once I dispose of her, I will become the rightful heir of that the Collins' possess!" Adam froze in his tracks at hearing those words. A horrific look crosses his face and he decides he will not enter the drawing room, but instead returns quietly the way he had come.
Barnabas and Quentin stand outside the stairway room in the East wing.
Quentin then speaks saying, "So what makes you think this time will be any
different from all the other times we've tried?" Barnabas sighs and replied,
"I can't be certain it will be any different, but I must try! A dear friend
is trapped back there. I must try to help him. It is also possible he has
the answers we need to end this terrible nightmare! A way to defeat Judah at
last!" Quentin let out a slight smile and gave a nod as well and said,
"Well, Then I guess we better have a look then." Barnabas turned and grabbed
the doorknob then with his lips tightened, he opened the door and they both
enter the room. They look at the top of the stairs. (Two low dramatic notes
sound.) Barnabas eyes dropped in disappointment at seeing only an empty
wall. He lets out a sigh and then says, "Where are you, Eliot? Why have you
not returned? What awful thing is keeping you there?" Quentin looks at him
sympathetically and says, "Hey look, I know I don't know the man quite as
well as you do, but if it means anything, I'm concerned about him too. Let's
go look and see if the other stairway in the playroom is there. Maybe that's
the one we need instead of this one." Barnabas looked downward in
disappointment looking as if he felt that too would be a waste of time. He
then looked up and said, "I suppose it can't hurt"
He stopped in mid sentence and his eyes grew wide. "Willie, Selena! What are
you doing here? You're supposed to be at Dr. Lang's house!" Willie and
Selena stood in the doorway looking back at him. He looked even older than
they last had seen him. Willie then spoke, "It was Julia. She was detumined
to get back heah and give the othahs the vaccine." Barnabas looked behind
Willie and Selena and then asked, "Where is she?" Willie then replied, "I
told huh we should stay togethah, but she made off while our backs wuh
tunned. I'm guessin' she's tryin' to get to Missus Stoddahd and the othahs."
A horrific look crosses Barnabas' face as he say, "No! It's much too
dangerous for her to be alone! We must find her!" They quickly all depart
the staircase room closing the door.
Adam walks the corridors in the cellar thinking. His thoughts are heard aloud. "He said he was going to kill Carolyn! He can't kill Carolyn! I can't let him kill her! But I can't stop him with all those powers he has!" He opens the wine cellar door and walks about the room looking to see if anyone was there. Seeing no one he turned to go, when he suddenly got a curious expression on his face. He turned back again and walked over right in front of the secret panel. He shone his flashlight on the concrete floor in front it. He then bent down and said, "Mud! Fresh mud on the floor!" He shone the light around a bit more and saw what looked like an arching scratch in the concrete. It began right at the edge of the wine rack and formed an arc to the left. He looked at the scratch, then up at the wine rack. With a look of slow realization, he rose and grabbed the edge of the wine rack and pulled. The panel swung open to reveal the hidden cavern behind it. A plotting look crosses his face as his thoughts are heard aloud, "A secret panel Judah doesn't know about. It wasn't on the blueprints he showed me. This is how Barnabas got out of the house! But somebody is here!" He picks up a clump of the fresh mud and rolls it in his fingers and then looks at the cellar door. "Somebody has come back!" (Three dramatic notes sound.)
(Place Commercials Here)
Julia Hoffman creeps carefully down a corridor in the West wing of Collinwood with the medical bag in hand. She listens closely and watches in all directions as she ever so slowly advances. Further ahead of her the sound of a door slamming is heard and the sound of advancing footsteps. Julia's eyes grow wide in shock. She eyes the door right next to her and tries the door knob. "Yes! It's open!" her thoughts rang out. She slips inside and closes the door. She stiffens against the wall and holds her breath as she hears the footsteps grow nearer and nearer. Hearing them fade away. She slowly lets out her breath and relaxes again. Her eyes flutter nervously as she realized just what a close call that had been. Her eyes then fall again on the door knob. She looks purposefully at it and slowly ventures forward. She presses her ear to the door and listens a moment. Biting her bottom lip, she slowly turns the door knob. Peeping out into the corridor, she releases a heavy sigh as she sees the corridor is empty. She steps out and closes the door behind her.
Barnabas and Selena creep through the lower level of the West wing of Collinwood. They also listen and watch each step carefully. "The stairs that lead to the second floor are just around that corner ahead." Barnabas whispered softly. Selena swallows hard and then they both resume their forward motion.
Quentin and Willie creep through yet another corridor of the West wing quietly advancing also. A board creaks under Willie's foot and his eyes grew wide in terror. Both men freeze and hold their breath as they listen to see if the noise had been heard. Willie breathes hard with his eyes still looking quite scared.
Julia rounds a corner and stands just outside the room where the family is
being held. She has at some point taken her stethoscope from her back and
put it around her neck. Placing the instrument into her ears, she first
looks carefully in all directions, then softly places the diaphragm of the
stethoscope on the door and listens intently. A look of relief crosses her
face and she reaches down and slowly opens the door. She sees Elizabeth
Stoddard tied to a chair looking quite haggard. As she enters she sees Roger's
wheelchair with it's back turned to her. His head is slumped over out of
sight. "Julia!" Liz whispers out. Julia looks first at her, then back at the
slumped figure and asks, "Is he..." Liz then whispered back , "Sleeping"
A look of relief fills Julia's face as she hears this news. She then sees
the empty chair beside Liz and says, "Carolyn?" Liz then tiredly replied,
"Judah took her to another place. She was becoming quite belligerent so he
isolated her." Julia reached into the bag and withdrew a syringe and the
bottle of fluid and then filled the hypodermic. "I have the antidote the
plague. I'm so glad I got here in time." Liz moaned in a depressed fashion,
"I'm certain the plague hasn't infected us, otherwise, we'd be dead
already." Julia then said, "You may be right, but this won't hurt you if
you aren't infected." She squirted the air out of the needle and placed the
tip of the needle against Liz's arm. She then pulled back in shock, "Well,
well, well; if it isn't the imminent Dr. Hoffman!" Julia eyes widened in
horror as Trevor Halliburton stood holding her at gunpoint with a most evil
grin on his face. (Three sets of three dramatic notes sound, followed by one
ascending sustained which ends in a crashing crescendo.)
(Place Commercials Here)
Elizabeth Stoddard.
JOAN BENNETT
Barnabas Collins.
JONATHAN FRID
Dr. Julia Hoffman.
GRAYSON HALL
Willie Loomis.
JOHN KARLEN
Quentin Collins.
DAVID SELBY
Adam.
ROBERT RODAN
Selena Parker.
KATE JACKSON
Trevor Halliburton/Judah Zachary.
KEITH PRENTICE
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 July 9, 1971