Biting Our Time: The Return of “Dark Shadows”
November 19, 2009 by RetroEd
Filed under Retrovision
Long before Angel or Edward Cullen decided to become all angsty, they were preceded by vampire Barnabas Collins (Jonathan Frid) on the ABC 1960s soap opera, Dark Shadows. Notes Virginia’s The Roanoke Times notes, “Dark Shadows” was just another sappy 1960s soap opera until the frighteningly fanged Barnabas Collins swept into the wealthy and haunted Collins estate. With the ability to transform into a bat [Editor's note: he actually never did turn into a bat], hypnotize those around him and use his superhuman strength, Barnabas resembled his more famous predecessor, Dracula. Barnabas’ appearance was nothing like that of the more glamorous blood suckers. Still, in spite of his ugly teeth, greasy hair and leering grin, Barnabas was still able to mysteriously charm every woman who glimpsed his face, whether they be beautiful witches or bored suburban housewives watching afternoon TV. The TV series was revived in the early 1990s. Also, Johnny Depp is anticipated to star in a big-screen adaptation of the series.” That Depp film is supposed to be directed by frequent collaborator Tim Burton.
Look for coverage of both the original Dark Shadows as well as the new movie at Scifi TV Zone, beginning next week with a tribute to series writer Ron Sproat, who literally wrote hundreds of episodes of the soap and who passed away earlier this month of a heart attack.
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Oh yes, dear editor. As a longtime fan of “Dark Shadows,” and a fortysomething currently viewing the entire 1225 episode run for about the fourth time, I can tell you that Barnabas Collins could, and DID turn into a bat on the series on a few occasions … to murder Dr. Woodard and to terrify his young cousin, David.