Sombras Tenebrosas

The series has so many memorable plot lines and had a superb cast that did a tremendous job on such a low budget. Re-takes were virtually non-existent so most of the bloopers were broadcast adding to the entertainment value of the series. The interplay between the actors was probably the best that I have ever seen in any television series. This series spawned two theatrical movies, a Broadway play and a revival series in 1991. Additionally, almost 29 years later conventions draw more fans than any other series ever made (except Star Trek) and having seen just about every episode I can understand why.

To its fans, Dark Shadows was and remains the best fantasy television series ever produced for an American network. Its status as the best resulted from the chance interaction of a team of brilliant actors, writers, directors and producers who together made magic every afternoon at 4 pm out of what were often very unpromising materials. As the comment from a new teenaged viewer on this page shows, the show's appeal continues to draw in a new audience 30 years after its original broadcast.

Barnabas Collins, the pivotal character of the "vulnerable vampire," has become a part of postmodern folklore. The influence of Barnabas as a character and a concept has been widely seen, from Anne Rice's vampire novels to such recent cult series as Forever Knight and Buffy the Vampire Slayer. The central drama of Dark Shadows--a doctor in unrequited love with her vampire patient, whom she was trying to cure--was intriguingly reprised in the Canadian series Forever Knight, with Geraint Wyn-Davies and Catherine Disher taking on the roles originally played by Jonathan Frid and Grayson Hall.

Dark Shadows boasted perhaps the most impressive cast (in terms of sheer ability) ever assembled for an American daytime series. Actress Joan Bennett who played the matriarch provided a link with the world of film noir and Forties Gothic cinema upon which the style and mood of the series so clearly played. Jonathan Frid, Thayer David, the extraordinary Grayson Hall (probably the first instance of an Oscar nominated thesp taking a role in a soap opera), Nancy Barrett, Louis Edmonds, and John Karlen, all of whom had distinguished themselves both on and off Broadway, routinely turned in sterling performances with a minimum of rehearsal time. The show's initial realism gave way after a year or so to the "Dark Shadows school of acting"--a highly theatrical, dramatically stylised manner of putting the mood of a scene across with stunning effect. Among the newcomers who shone most strongly were Lara Parker (who enacted another variant of vindictive unrequited love as the witch Angelique), Alexandra Moltke as perennially clueless governess Victoria Winters, Don Briscoe as doomed werewolf Chris Jennings, and David Selby as roguish cousin Quentin Collins. One striking feature of the production was the use of multiple time periods and, ultimately, parallel time streams which allowed the actors to portray a wide variety of roles (Nancy Barrett and Thayer David each ended up playing some half a dozen sharply differentiated characters).

The New York production setting favored the occasional introduction of such veteran character actors as Anita Bolster, Cavada Humphrey, Abe Vigoda, and others in cameo spots. Young actors just starting out such as Harvey Keitel, David Groh, Kate Jackson, Virginia Vestoff, and Marsha Mason found brief or steady work on the series. Vestoff did a tour de force as the ruthless Samantha Collins at the same time (1970) as she was performing nightly in the hit musical 1776.

Derided by some, misunderstood by many, beloved by its legions of fans, Dark Shadows will never die!

Dark Shadows was, is and always will be a joy to watch! I remember as a child seeing it in reruns and being completely enthralled with this dark world of fantasy. I will never forget it! I watch it everyday on Sci-fi at 8am and can only wish they will put it back to it's later time slot at 10. My favorite character is Quentin...he is so mysterious and handsome, devious and intelligent!!! I encourage all people who haven't had the privelege of seeing this show, or the movies or the attempt at making a new Dark Shadows(in 1990 or whatever) that they ought to watch it on Sci-fi and You will see why there are still SO MANY dedicated fans of a show that was made over 30 years ago! ENJOY

1795- "I set a curse on you Barnabas Collins-" 1967- Dark Shadows, after being on for less than one year was on the verge of being thrown into oblivion, forgotten and lost forever, along with a 172 year old family secret. Then quite by accident, a vampire was released from his coffin and Television history was made!

This show, campy, and low budget(who could afford anything else 40 years ago?) became a household word along with its star attraction, Vampire Barnabas Collins. Now that it is finally on DVD, (THANK YOU, MPI VIDEO!!!!) Those who remember can return to their childhood days and relive it all again, and those who were not there, can see for themselves what made this a soap opera hit! Nowadays, most soaps focus on "who slept with who," or "who is going to overthrow a corporate bigwig" Not this show! Vampires, witches, werewolves, warlocks and ghosts rule here!

No other soap has been remembered this long and no other soap has ever made it to yearly conventions or VHS and DVD. This show is immortal as the vampire themselves. No matter how hard anti fans try to kill it, this show will always be resurrected! Dark shadows rules!

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.