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Dark Shadows

  • TV Series
  • 1966–1971
  • TV-PG
  • 30m
IMDb RATING
8.1/10
5.7K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
2,541
590
Joel Crothers, Jonathan Frid, and Lara Parker in Dark Shadows (1966)
Dark Shadows
Play trailer0:36
1 Video
99+ Photos
Supernatural HorrorVampire HorrorDramaFantasyHorrorMysteryRomanceSci-FiThriller

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

  • Creator
    • Dan Curtis
  • Stars
    • Jonathan Frid
    • Grayson Hall
    • Alexandra Isles
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    8.1/10
    5.7K
    YOUR RATING
    POPULARITY
    2,541
    590
    • Creator
      • Dan Curtis
    • Stars
      • Jonathan Frid
      • Grayson Hall
      • Alexandra Isles
    • 68User reviews
    • 26Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 1 Primetime Emmy
      • 1 nomination total

    Episodes1230

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    Dark Shadows
    Trailer 0:36
    Dark Shadows

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    Top cast99+

    Edit
    Jonathan Frid
    Jonathan Frid
    • Barnabas Collins…
    • 1967–1971
    Grayson Hall
    Grayson Hall
    • Dr. Julia Hoffman…
    • 1967–1971
    Alexandra Isles
    Alexandra Isles
    • Victoria Winters…
    • 1966–1968
    Nancy Barrett
    Nancy Barrett
    • Carolyn Stoddard…
    • 1966–1971
    Joan Bennett
    Joan Bennett
    • Elizabeth Collins Stoddard…
    • 1966–1971
    Louis Edmonds
    Louis Edmonds
    • Roger Collins…
    • 1966–1971
    David Selby
    David Selby
    • Quentin Collins…
    • 1968–1971
    Kathryn Leigh Scott
    Kathryn Leigh Scott
    • Maggie Evans…
    • 1966–1970
    David Henesy
    David Henesy
    • David Collins…
    • 1966–1970
    Lara Parker
    Lara Parker
    • Angelique…
    • 1967–1971
    Thayer David
    Thayer David
    • Ben Stokes…
    • 1966–1971
    John Karlen
    John Karlen
    • Willie Loomis…
    • 1967–1971
    Joel Crothers
    Joel Crothers
    • Joe Haskell…
    • 1966–1969
    Roger Davis
    Roger Davis
    • Jeff Clark…
    • 1968–1970
    Christopher Pennock
    Christopher Pennock
    • Gabriel Collins…
    • 1970–1971
    Jerry Lacy
    Jerry Lacy
    • Gregory Trask…
    • 1967–1971
    David Ford
    David Ford
    • Sam Evans…
    • 1966–1968
    Mitchell Ryan
    Mitchell Ryan
    • Burke Devlin
    • 1966–1967
    • Creator
      • Dan Curtis
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews68

    8.15.7K
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    Featured reviews

    9AlsExGal

    A history lesson on soap operas, yet it stands apart from its peers

    I didn't even see Dark Shadows on TV until it began running as reruns back in 1976. Even though these episodes were ten years old at the time, I was instantly hooked. I had never seen anything like it - a Gothic soap opera with a vampire as both heartthrob and sympathetic villain. The 1976 reruns did the same thing the initial DVD collection did. It ignored the fact that the first 210 episodes ever existed and started with the appearance of Barnabus Collins in Collinsport, Maine, and the simultaneous disappearance of Willie Loomis, the Collins' handyman. I've never seen the first 210 episodes, but I've read their descriptions. Apparently they revolved around a series of love triangles and mysteries that just weren't that interesting to viewers, and so the storyline was radically changed and TV history was made as a result.

    Jonathan Frid was really born to play the part of Barnabus. He is not a good looking guy in the classical sense, but he's got style, dignity, and class and was extremely magnetic in the role. Barnabus is a vampire in the mold of Lugosi's Dracula. However, rather than looking to expand an ever-growing harem as Dracula did, Barnabus is a romantic, intent on reclaiming only one lost love. That is the initial emphasis. Even with the magnetic Barnabus, you'll notice the show moves at a snail's pace compared to later episodes. However, what you are seeing is pretty much the way most soap operas progressed up through the early 1970's. The formula for most soap operas in those days was that there was one dynastic and wealthy family, and lots of middle class families with ordinary problems. Problems generally had to do with affairs of the heart with the occasional crime mystery thrown in, and resolution was very slow. Not until 1975 or so did you see everyone in town being CEO of their own company with fashion models as the cast. So have patience, because the pace is definitely worth the overall storyline and the atmosphere.
    preppy-3

    It's STILL good

    Like many people I used to rush home from grammar school to see this Gothic soap opera. I distinctly remember being petrified of the werewolf and running out of the room when Barnabas bit somebody.

    Seeing it now it's still sort of creepy. It moves very slow (of course) and the black & white seasons are extremely dull with really pathetic special effects and threadbare settings. But when the series switched to color and started to really be popular (in 1967) it really got going. The special effects improved, the settings and costumes got more elaborate and the plot lines went barreling out of control. Also they had a good cast who played all their roles seriously. That's good, because if they had camped it up or winked at the audience it would have fallen apart.

    A good, fun horror soap. It's a good thing it's available on video and DVD now.
    Tabitha Lenox

    A great classic from the 60's

    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!
    verna55

    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.
    Barronius38

    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.

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The character of Quentin Collins was created at the request of Jonathan Frid, who asked that a second villain be brought in to lighten his workload.
    • Goofs
      Jeremiah Collins's headstone is misspelled "Jerimiah Collins."
    • Quotes

      Barnabas Collins: I didn't say she was dead, I said I killed her.

    • Connections
      Featured in Now and Then (1995)

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    FAQ18

    • How many seasons does Dark Shadows have?Powered by Alexa
    • Was this show broadcast live?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • June 27, 1966 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Shadows on the Wall
    • Filming locations
      • Seaview Terrace, Newport, Rhode Island, USA(Collinwood)
    • Production companies
      • American Broadcasting Company (ABC)
      • Dan Curtis Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      30 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.33 : 1

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