An entrancing Gothic romance novel unfolded each day on television from June 27, 1966 until April 2, 1971. Created by Dan Curtis and developed by Art Wallace, “Dark Shadows” was, without question, the most unusual daytime soap ever presented. An over-the-top supernatural serial, it proffered a spooky mansion setting & a young governess who was lifted directly from the pages of Henry James’ The Turn of the Screw. In April of 1967, Dark Shadows perfected its already eerie scene when its 200-year old vampire, with fangs barely concealed, arrived on the scene. Masterfully portrayed by Jonathan Frid, the arrival of Barnabas Collins at his family’s foreboding “Collinwood” estate marked the true beginning of the story. Barnabas’ sense of pathos made him an instant favorite with his fan base – the new and younger demographic that ABC had targeted as it developed this unearthly soap opera. Later, scriptwriters endeared Barnabas to fans even more when they added “…psychological layers of guilt, moral ambivalence, and wry self-hatred that only increased the bloodsucker’s popularity.” As Barnabas morphed into the vampire who longed to be mortal, his quest became the unresolved dilemma at the heart of the late afternoon show. Having now focused almost exclusively on Barnabas’ plight, more characters were added to complement his: Dr. Julia Hoffman, who fell in love with the vampire as she tried to cure him & Angelique, the witch whose spell had doomed Barnabas 200 years earlier. Using a six-month long flashback, this serialized spine-chiller enabled many of its actors to portray their characters’ ancestors. As storylines were slowly being exhausted, the character of Quentin Collins (a Dorian Gray/werewolf hybrid) arrived in Collinsport just in time to re-invigorate the soap’s mysterious plotline. Just shy of its fifth anniversary, however, the show’s final episode aired. But, to the extreme chagrin of devoted (rabid?) fans, the writers left storylines dangling. Demanding closure after the hasty cancellation, fans’ appetites were finally sated when head writer Sam Hall wrote an article in TV Guide. Published on October 9, 1971, it finally resolved Barnabas’ fate, allowing him to find happiness with Julia. However, the adulation has really never subsided. Ultimately, Dark Shadows has attained an unprecedented camp classic status, known & loved as much for its falling sets, forgotten lines, and unscripted guest appearances by crew members as for its suspenseful tales of vampires, witches and other supernatural beings. It has spawned innumerable books, videotapes, fan clubs, annual conventions, and a short-lived, prime-time revival series in 1991, more than a quarter century after it was taken off the air. Today, sanctioned by both Dan Curtis & Stuart Manning, the Internet can instantaneously transport you back to the captivating-but-creepy berg of Collinsport! Simply go to Collinwood.net to access “The Dark Shadows Journal.” There you can revel in a prolific array of Dark Shadows lore & commune with Barnabas & his ghoulish gang to your (dark) heart’s content! And now, more than 40 years after the infamous television serial gasped its last breath, we’ve learned that Johnny Depp will be portraying Barnabas Collins in a feature-length “Dark Shadows” film by Tim Burton that’s slated for theatrical release in May 2012. Needless to say, yours truly is simply dying to see that one!
This collection of color coordinated fashion fabrics is from the Winter 2011 issue of Vogue Fabrics By Mail. Order a subscription to this swatch club catalog service to receive home delivery.
This collection of color coordinated fashion fabrics is from the Winter 2011 issue of Vogue Fabrics By Mail. Order a subscription to this swatch club catalog service to receive home delivery.
