The Cutting Room Floor Page Eleven: The Beginning Of The End

Another sequence which originally ran longer during the August 1971 New England exhibition of Night of Dark Shadows was Tracy and Quentin's bedroom confrontation. (Download a transcript.) And once again, the footage which was ultimately removed from the scene was done so because of its sexual content. Originally, Quentin's molestation of Tracy was more graphically displayed.

Immediately following Quentin and Tracy's fateful bedroom encounter, the Night of Dark Shadows script called for several dramatic sequences which actually set up much of the upcoming action:

Night of Dark Shadows Script Excerpt INT - SECOND FLOOR CORRIDOR - NIGHT - WIDE ANGLE as Quentin walks very fast from CAMERA, almost as if he were trying to run from what he has done. He passes the stairway to the Tower, looking up for a second. Then he continues on much slower now, to the far bedroom. He leans against the wall, his back still to CAMERA, obviously going through great mental anguish. INT - FIRST FLOOR STAIRWAY - NIGHT as Carlotta comes up the stairs TOWARD CAMERA and starts for the Gallery, she suddenly stops as she notices Quentin through the open bedroom door. INT - BACK STAIRS - NIGHT - LOW ANGLE TIGHT on Quentin as he goes through his inner turmoil. HOLD for a moment, then we HEAR the SOUND of CARLOTTA'S VOICE. CARLOTTA(O.S.) Mr. Collins? Quentin does not respond. SLOWLY WIDEN to reveal Carlotta, still in the hallway, but coming toward him. CARLOTTA The Jenkins will be returning soon. Mrs. Collins is to leave. She must go before they come back. She will run to them. Don't you agree? He does not move or look at her. CARLOTTA Don't you agree, Mr. Collins? With great violence, he turns on her. QUENTIN (blazing) Yes, I agree, Carlotta! But I don't need you to tell me what I have to do! As Quentin EXITS THE SHOT down the stairs. INT - FIRST FLOOR CORRIDOR - NIGHT as Carlotta turns and comes TOWARD CAMERA, PAN with her to the top of the stairs, revealing Gerard, who stands on the lower landing. She nods to him as Gerard then goes down the stairs, EXITING THE SHOT. INT - MASTER BEDROOM - NIGHT Tracy lies on the bed, her face wet with tears, as she stares blankly up at the ceiling. Then slowly she rises and crosses to the window where she looks up at the Tower. INT - THROUGH THE WINDOW - TRACY'S P.O.V. Although the windows are dark, it is almost possible to see the luminous outline of a woman looking down at her. TRACY (softly, almost to herself) I know you're up there. But I won't let you have him. I'll never leave! Never!

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