Dark Shadows 

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

Creator:

Dan Curtis

Stars:

Jonathan Frid, Grayson Hall, Alexandra Isles

Nominated for 1 Primetime Emmy.

Cast

Series cast summary:
Jonathan Frid	...	Barnabas Collins / ... (594 episodes, 1967-1971)
Grayson Hall	...	Dr. Julia Hoffman / ... (475 episodes, 1967-1971)
Alexandra Isles	...	Victoria Winters / ... (423 episodes, 1966-1968)
Nancy Barrett	...	Carolyn Stoddard / ... (402 episodes, 1966-1971)
Joan Bennett	...	Elizabeth Collins Stoddard / ... (389 episodes, 1966-1971)
Louis Edmonds	...	Roger Collins / ... (322 episodes, 1966-1971)
David Selby	...	Quentin Collins / ... (312 episodes, 1968-1971)
Kathryn Leigh Scott	...	Maggie Evans / ... (310 episodes, 1966-1970)
David Henesy	...	David Collins / ... (277 episodes, 1966-1970)
Lara Parker	...	Angelique / ... (269 episodes, 1967-1971)

Storyline

The story of Dark Shadows begins with newly hired governess Victoria Winters arriving at Collinwood, the Collins' estate in Collinsport, Maine in search of her mysterious origins. She soon is caught up in the strange events and mysteries that seem to surround the Collins family. Eventually, the Collins' "cousin from England", Barnabas Collins, arrives and takes the show in a new direction; his vampire curse introduces a new history of the Collins family. Part of this revised history is the popular character of the witch Angelique whose jealously led to the tragic death of Barnabas' great love Josette and who placed the curse upon Barnabas.

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Plot Keywords:

maine | vampire | death | werewolf | time travel | 

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Genres:

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

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Details

Official Sites:

Dark Shadows Festival

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

27 June 1966 (USA)

Also Known As:

Shadows on the Wall

Filming Locations:

USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Dan Curtis Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

30 min (1225 episodes)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

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

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The first episode shot in color was #294, but it was originally broadcast in black-and-white. Episode #295 was the first broadcast in color. In a twist of irony, the color tape of #294 survived and #295 was lost, so existing copies of the first episode which aired in color are dubbed from a black-and-white kinescope print.

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Goofs

Jeremiah Collins's headstone is misspelled "Jerimiah Collins."

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Quotes

Willie Loomis: I never knew how awful it was to be alone, till I wasn't.

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Connections

Referenced in The Big Box: The House of the Devil (2010)

User Reviews

Detailing a tormented New England family's continuing involvement with ghosts, witches, werewolves, vampires, and other fearsome creatures, this was certainly unlike any other daytime TV soap opera ever made

This daytime television soaper-shocker serial has evolved into a cult classic since originally airing on ABC from 1966-71, and is certainly a contender for one of the most unusual television series ever made. In addition to its Gothic tales involving the supernatural, what set DARK SHADOWS apart from the other TV soap operas of its day was the remarkable cast, including famous and glamorous Hollywood screen star Joan Bennett as the aristocratic matriarch Elizabeth Collins Stoddard, Oscar-nominated actress Grayson Hall(THE NIGHT OF THE IGUANA) as Dr. Julia Hoffman who tried to develop a cure for vampire Barnabas Collins but wound up falling in love with him instead. And of course, the superb Jonathan Frid as reluctant vampire Barnabas Collins himself. Incidentally, Frid's perpetually tormented character was what brought the show such tremendous success and remains the best remembered aspect of this enduringly popular series. Made on a noticeably low budget, DARK SHADOWS concentrated on plot and character rather than cheap thrills, though there were plenty of eerie, spooky moments and creepy Gothic atmosphere. The primetime revival of the ever-popular series in 1991 featured more elaborate settings and special effects but was less successful and lasted barely two months on the airwaves. Like it or not, DARK SHADOWS completely changed television history and remains one of the most well-remembered TV series of all time. The show's success led to two offshoot feature films starring a number of the series regulars. The first and most successful was HOUSE OF DARK SHADOWS in 1970, followed by NIGHT OF DARK SHADOWS in 1971.