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House of Dark Shadows (1970)
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Overview
User Rating:
Director:
Writers:
Release Date:
6 March 1971 (Japan)
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Tagline:
Barnabas Collins, vampire, takes a bride in a bizarre act of ultimate lust. more
Plot:
The story of vampire Barnabas Collins, the possible cure offered by Dr. Julia Hoffman, and his search for love amidst the horror. full summary | full synopsis
Awards:
1 nomination
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NewsDesk:
User Comments:
Vampy AND Campy!
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Cast
(Cast overview, first billed only)| Jonathan Frid | ... | Barnabas Collins | |
| Grayson Hall | ... | Dr. Julia Hoffman | |
| Kathryn Leigh Scott | ... | Maggie Evans | |
| Roger Davis | ... | Jeff Clark | |
| Nancy Barrett | ... | Carolyn Stoddard | |
| John Karlen | ... | Willie Loomis | |
| Thayer David | ... | Professor T. Eliot Stokes | |
| Louis Edmonds | ... | Roger Collins | |
| Don Briscoe | ... | Todd Blake | |
| David Henesy | ... | David Collins | |
| Dennis Patrick | ... | Sheriff George Patterson | |
| Lisa Blake Richards | ... | Daphne Budd, Elizabeth's Secretary (as Lisa Richards) | |
| Jerry Lacy | ... | Minister | |
| Barbara Cason | ... | Mrs. Johnson | |
| Paul Michael | ... | Old Man |
Additional Details
Also Known As:
Dark Shadows (USA) (pre-release title)
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Parents Guide:
Runtime:
97 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Color (Metrocolor)
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Certification:
Australia:PG |
Finland:(Banned) (1971) |
Norway:16 (1971) |
UK:18 |
USA:GP (original rating) |
USA:PG
Filming Locations:
Company:
Fun Stuff
Quotes:
Professor T. Eliot Stokes:
Vampirism is not a disease, Julia. Vampires are the living dead.
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Movie Connections:
Featured in Fantastic Fantasy Fright-o-Rama Show Vol. 1 (1996) (V)
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"House of Dark Shadows", the first feature based on the fondly remembered Gothic soap opera is both exciting and schlocky - sometimes concurrently. Director Dan Curtis (on a very low budget) took what on television was an extremely lengthy introduction and history of the Barnabas Collins character and crammed all he could of it into a 96 minute film. Most of the television cast are here to recreate their parts, chief among them Jonathan Frid as everyone's favorite Vampire. When surly caretaker Willie Loomis (John Karlen) foolishly frees him from his coffin where he has been sleeping for almost 200 years, Barnabas heads for the Collins family mansion and introduces himself as a cousin from England. Both the matriarch of the family, Elizabeth Stoddard (Joan Bennett) and her brother Roger Collins (Louis Edmonds) welcome him and immediately install him in the "old house" which, in fact, is Barnabas' original home. Though the plot has a few twists not seen in the series, the story is still pretty familiar. Barnabas soon has his way with Elizabeth's daughter Carolyn (Nancy Barrett)and she becomes one of his first victims. Although such familiar characters as Professor Stokes (Thayer David) Jeff Clark (Roger Davis) young David Collins (David Henesy) and Todd Jennings (Donald Briscoe) appear, their functions are relatively brief. The two chief supporting females upon whom the plot really turns are Maggie Evans (Kathryn Leigh Scott) the beautiful governess who bears a striking resemblance to Josette Du Pres, Barnabas' first love, and Dr. Julia Hoffman (Grayson Hall) an old family friend writing a history of the Collins family. For seemingly different reasons, both are attracted to Barnabas, and both get more than they bargained for when they become involved with him. The film is fast-paced, predictably gory, and occasionally unintentionally humorous, with loopholes big enough to drive a hearse through. Fans of the show will have a definite edge over new viewers because little is done to introduce the uninitiated to the characters (most of whom quickly go under the tooth anyway) and background of the story. Still, it's sincerely acted by all, boasts a superior score by Robert Cobert (much of it recycled from the series),and some beautiful photography. "House of Dark Shadows" is one place you'll want to explore.