Author's Note: Why Wadsworth?
My significant other and I started watching Dark Shadows around about 2005/2006, which was weird since I was going through the roughest patch of life I'd ever experienced, why the heck would I watch a program entailing so much destruction and turmoil? Ah, well, I suppose I was pretty numb back then and it didn't take so much effect on me as it would have earlier.
As we kept watching Dark Shadows and I kept taking notes in a possible effort solve all their problems an old idea I had as a wee one came to me. What if, since all these story lines are lifted from old gothic stories, we could introduce new gothic characters into the mix, with all their lightheartedness? It would make sense, right? Especially since there were so many spooky shows in the 1960's later on in the evening that had kind hearts and easier problems to solve?
I loved the Clue film dearly and wanted to see Wadsworth, the butler (not in the original board game) make a comeback and be a good guy, and I didn't believe that whole "This is what REALLY happened" ending. In the theatrical release the different endings were viewed in different theaters, so only on the video release of "Clue" was Wadsworth placed as the "bad guy". No, I said, he's not bad. All he said about blackmail and trying to help everyone was likely true. And "Clue" happened in 1954, so reaching him to 1968/1969 won't be too much of a stretch. As the Clue script expresses, "He is a butler. He is dressed like a butler. He has the manner of a butler. Even when he opens the gates all alone he does so with the demeanour of a butler. His name is WADSWORTH." Yes, this is the man for our ever stolid and woeful vampire.
It's neat to see what part of the script I could find. If anyone was wondering what film Mrs. White went to "see" while her husband perished it was "From Here To Eternity". Another character said, "Fitting". No surprise considering the works of both the long "Thriller" music video and "American Werewolf In London", the writing of "Clue" was co-written by the same creator: John Landis.
And as you've likely already read by now in Episode 4: Captain Gregg Gets Bent, since Tim Curry played Wadsworth I've hinted there is a similar Mr. Hyde type fellow lurking in his own shadow as Dr. Frank N Furter from "The Rocky Horror Picture Show".
:)