MPI's Alternating Video/Kinescope Explanation
darkboy48
I cut and pasted the article below from MPI's DS site. It pretty well
explains what a kinescope is and why they are frequently inserted between
the color video episodes. At the very bottom is an explanation of why
today's second episode (#367) was broadcast as color when it was first shown
on Sci Fi. It doesn't explain why it was shown as a kinescope today. I doubt
that it is because the master tapes are degenerating. I'm pretty sure Sci Fi
only has copies, not the masters. Worldvision, I would think, has the
masters and sends out copies for Sci Fi to broadcast. Anyone know for sure?
Maybe Worldvision sent Sci Fi the wrong copy. Oh well, at least they got the
correct episode number! LOL!
Aaron
Each episode of Dark Shadows was recorded and broadcast on the then network
standard 2-inch videotape. In addition, through the fall of 1970, ABC-TV
also made filmed kinescope copies of each episode. These kinescopes were
shot in black-and-white on 16mm film. Even when Dark Shadows went to color,
the kinescopes were still filmed only in black and white, as networks rarely
made color kinescopes.
Kinescopes are simply copies of a program which are filmed off of a
television monitor. The method was conceived in the early days of
television, before videotape was invented, as a method to preserve shows
that were broadcast live. Although videotape became available in the late
1950s, the television networks continued to simultaneously make kinescopes
of shows that were presented live or originated on videotape. Although
vastly inferior in quality to video, kinescopes were still made in the
mid-1960s because various stations across the country did not always
telecast certain shows at the exact time that the network would transmit
them. Since some stations did not yet have the expensive videotape equipment
needed to record a program for a later playback, the network would provide
filmed kinescope copies within days of the original broadcast.
By the fall of 1970, the kinescope process had become outdated, and ABC
ceased making them for Dark Shadows.
Fortunately, the kinescope negatives for Dark Shadows were preserved along
with the videotape masters. In the years since the episodes first aired on
ABC, some of the videotape masters have been lost or damaged. Therefore,
when the series is shown in reruns and on home video, filmed kinescope
prints are used for several of the episodes. These episodes are now seen
only in black and white, even after the series went to color.
The fact that tapes and filmed kinescopes of all but one of the Dark Shadows
Episodes have survived is nothing short of a supernatural miracle itself.
Very few tapes of other 1960s daytime dramas still exist. At the time, no
one had any idea that there would be a future use for those shows. In more
ways than one, Dark Shadows was a ground-breaking series.
When Dark Shadows was activated in syndication, it was discovered that
videotapes of several of the shows were missing. Fortunately, filmed
kinescope copies were usually found to replace the lost tapes. However, a
few episodes proved elusive.
Episodes 509, 683, 797, 801/802, 805 and 813 were skipped in the 1975-1990
syndication package. This was because the syndicator, Worldvision
Enterprises, did not realize that kinescopes for these shows were available.
One of the shows, Episode 805, had not been rerun because the master tape
was ripped.
However, when Dark Shadows was licensed for home video release in 1989,
extensive research was conducted to locate the missing shows.
Black and white kinescope negatives were found for Episodes 509, 683, 797
and 813. In addition, the color videotape master for Episode 801/802 was
located, and the damaged color tape for Episode 805 was salvaged by
inserting sepia-tinted kinescope footage for the brief segment that was
damaged on the tape master.
During this extensive search, the copies of two other syndicated episodes
were upgraded for home video. A Spanish videotape copy was found of Episode
289, which had been rerun only in kinescope form. The English kinescope
audio was merged with the Spanish video for a greatly enhanced picture.
Also, a color videotape master was found for Episode 367, which had
previously been rerun in kinescope form.
Brief descriptions of the formerly missing Episodes:
Episode 289
Outside the Old House, Dr. Julia Hoffman spies on Barnabas Collins and
sneaks into the basement after sunrise. She discovers Barnabas in his
coffin.
Episode 367
In 1795, Victoria Winters is menaced by Abigail Collins. Victoria meets
Jeremiah Collins and is interviewed by Joshua Collins to become the new
governess.
Episode 509
Sam Evans befriends Adam, but Adam runs away when Professor Stokes arrives
at Sam's cottage. Stokes questions Victoria about her experiences in 1795.
Episode 683
The ghost of Beth Chavez appears to Chris Jennings and leads him to discover
a child's coffin which he and Barnabas Collins dig up.
Episode 797
Quentin Collins, Barnabas and Magda hold a seance to contact Julianka's
spirit, hoping to find a way to remove the werewolf curse from Quentin.
Episodes 801/802
Victor Fenn-Gibbon admits that he is Count Petofi. Quentin learns that Tim
Shaw has Petofi's severed hand. Jamison Collins is possessed by Petofi.
Episode 805
Barnabas locks up the possessed Jamison in an Old House basement cell.
Gregory Trask informs Evan Hanley of his plan to take control of the Collins
family.
Episode 813
Still possessed by Petofi, Jamison forces Nora Collins to give him the box
she's been hiding which contains the magical severed hand of Petofi.
