"Dark Shadows" (1966) TV series 1966-1971

Creator:

Dan Curtis

Seasons:

1

Release Date:

27 June 1966 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Fantasy | Horror | Mystery | Romance | Sci-Fi | Thriller

Plot:

The rich Collins family of Collinsport, Maine is tormented by strange occurrences.

Plot Keywords:

Maine | Gothic | Death | Magic | Cult Favorite

Awards:

Nominated for Primetime Emmy.

Cast

Jonathan Frid	...	Barnabas Collins / ... (594 episodes, 1967-1971)
Grayson Hall	...	Dr. Julia Hoffman / ... (474 episodes, 1967-1971)
Nancy Barrett	...	Carolyn Stoddard / ... (402 episodes, 1966-1971)
Joan Bennett	...	Elizabeth Collins Stoddard / ... (387 episodes, 1966-1971)
Alexandra Isles	...	Victoria Winters / ... (337 episodes, 1966-1968)
Louis Edmonds	...	Roger Collins / ... (321 episodes, 1966-1971)
Kathryn Leigh Scott	...	Maggie Evans / ... (309 episodes, 1966-1970)
David Selby	...	Quentin Collins / ... (307 episodes, 1968-1971)
David Henesy	...	David Collins / ... (276 episodes, 1966-1970)
Lara Parker	...	Angelique / ... (269 episodes, 1967-1971)

Also Known As:

Shadows on the Wall (USA) (working title)
The House on Storm Cliff (USA) (working title)

Runtime:

30 min (1225 episodes)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White (1966-1967) | Color (1967-1971)

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Filming Locations:

Essex, Connecticut, USA

Company:

Dan Curtis Productions

Trivia:

For more than a year and a half the characters of "Dark Shadows" used almost every possible phrase to refer to Barnabas Collins ("He's not alive!" "He's one of the undead." "He walks at night but he ain't alive.") It wasn't until the 410th episode that the word "vampire" was actually used on the show.

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: Jeremiah Collins's headstone is misspelled "Jerimiah Collins."

Quotes:

Dr. Julia Hoffman: I want to protect you Barnabas. I'm not applying for a job as your maid.

Movie Connections:

Featured in ABC's 50th Anniversary Celebration (2003) (TV)

A Masterpiece

I was a big fan of this gothic horror soap opera as a young lad, and was delighted to find out that MPI had released the episodes on DVD.

If I were to complain, I would have to say that it is a bit disappointing that the DVD's start rather late in the series (episode 210 to be exact), with the appearance of Barnabas Collins. This is fitting, however, since he brought the show such popularity, but it is a bit remiss that MPI didn't include the prior episodes on DVD.

That being said though, the show still is great, with terrific acting. Considering the fact that the actors filmed the episodes live, so a flub or two can be overlooked. It makes actors today seem a bit untalented, because they are allowed 20 takes (which we have to see in the end .. like in Home Improvements).

But actors like Jonathan Frid, John Karlen, David Selby, etc. make this show truly memorable (and made me join the DVD club, where I am now the proud owner of my own Barnabas Collins bobblehead) :)

I never did watch the remake of the Dark Shadows series when it came out, because I personally thought that no one could replace Jonathan Frid as Barnabas Collins. However, I might have to see it just to satisfy my own personal curiousity.

This is one of my all time favorites and I am glad that it is now on DVD.