Today In Boob Tube History: Dark Shadows premiered - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Brian Damage · 06-25-2009, 09:08 PM

Since there's news today that Johnny Depp and Tim Burton will make a big-screen version of the gothic soap opera Dark Shadows, I think it's appropriate that the TV show premiered on this day in 1966. It ran for around 25,000 episodes. It's weird to think about what this show was, a soap opera that happened to include vampires, werewolves, creepy mansions, and thunderstorms. I was mesmerized by this show as a kid. The theme is still haunting, and forget Barnabas Collins.

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Retro4Life · 06-25-2009, 11:27 PM

There will NEVER be another show quite like DS. I was about five when I watched it, and there are some images and scenes I will never forget.

I watched many of the eps again about six years ago, and I still had a great time. For all those who bemoan the sets, meh. All of that stuff is exterior; what matters is the atmosphere and the quality of the actors and writers, which in large extent, were both excellent on this show!

catlover79 · 06-26-2009, 12:22 AM

That song and opening credits are still so creepy!! I haven't seen all that much of the show, but I did enjoy the DVD full of DS bloopers where someone called the Collingswood mansion Hollywood, flies landing on the faces of the actors, papier mache tombstones falling over, etc.

I loved the scenes I saw between Kate Jackson and David Selby - pure electricity. Joan Bennett - a great matriarch, and of course, what else needs to be said about Jonathan Frid, the one and only Barnabas Collins? Until Twilight, he was probably the most loved vampire on screen ever!!

Retro4Life · 06-26-2009, 12:54 AM

Some of the show's strongest and most memorable scenes do seem to involve Barnabas. I remember one where he is transported to a parallel world and finds his father in that world, and pleads with him to accept him. His father is repulsed by him and totally rejects him, saying that his son is dead and he must be a demon or something. Frid was awesome in that scene, playing Barnabas' agony and longing so well.

Another great one is also in this parallel world where Barnabas encounters Angelique and realizes what she is up to, and he reveals that her powers have no effect upon him, a revelation he obviously enjoys, lol. Very powerful.

MickeyMac · 06-26-2009, 02:12 PM

This was a good show and I'm glad I have seen it.

06-25-2009, 09:08 PM	#1
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,107	Today In Boob Tube History: Dark Shadows premiered Since there's news today that Johnny Depp and Tim Burton will make a big-screen version of the gothic soap opera Dark Shadows, I think it's appropriate that the TV show premiered on this day in 1966. It ran for around 25,000 episodes. It's weird to think about what this show was, a soap opera that happened to include vampires, werewolves, creepy mansions, and thunderstorms. I was mesmerized by this show as a kid. The theme is still haunting, and forget Barnabas Collins. http://www.tvsquad.com/
	__________________ The Key to the Kingdom of Heaven: John 3:3 *Money Doesn't Buy Happiness...But I'd Rather Cry in My Private Jet*

06-25-2009, 11:27 PM	#2
Retro4Life Accept No Substitutes Forum Veteran Join Date: Feb 04, 2009 Location: IL Posts: 6,708	There will NEVER be another show quite like DS. I was about five when I watched it, and there are some images and scenes I will never forget. I watched many of the eps again about six years ago, and I still had a great time. For all those who bemoan the sets, meh. All of that stuff is exterior; what matters is the atmosphere and the quality of the actors and writers, which in large extent, were both excellent on this show!
	__________________ Alex Reiger :[Trying to convince Louie not to antagonize Bobby] "It's not hard to make people feel bad about their lives. What's hard is making people feel good about their lives."

06-26-2009, 12:22 AM	#3
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,382	That song and opening credits are still so creepy!! I haven't seen all that much of the show, but I did enjoy the DVD full of DS bloopers where someone called the Collingswood mansion Hollywood, flies landing on the faces of the actors, papier mache tombstones falling over, etc. I loved the scenes I saw between Kate Jackson and David Selby - pure electricity. Joan Bennett - a great matriarch, and of course, what else needs to be said about Jonathan Frid, the one and only Barnabas Collins? Until Twilight, he was probably the most loved vampire on screen ever!!
	__________________ "Jesus loves you and He approves this message." "I'm alive. I'm feeling good. I'm trying to live every moment as much as I can." - Valerie Harper, March 2013

06-26-2009, 12:54 AM	#4
Retro4Life Accept No Substitutes Forum Veteran Join Date: Feb 04, 2009 Location: IL Posts: 6,708	Some of the show's strongest and most memorable scenes do seem to involve Barnabas. I remember one where he is transported to a parallel world and finds his father in that world, and pleads with him to accept him. His father is repulsed by him and totally rejects him, saying that his son is dead and he must be a demon or something. Frid was awesome in that scene, playing Barnabas' agony and longing so well. Another great one is also in this parallel world where Barnabas encounters Angelique and realizes what she is up to, and he reveals that her powers have no effect upon him, a revelation he obviously enjoys, lol. Very powerful.

06-26-2009, 02:12 PM	#5
MickeyMac Member Forum Star Join Date: Jun 18, 2008 Location: Kalamazoo, Michigan Posts: 19,006	This was a good show and I'm glad I have seen it.