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MEMORIES:
matthewb03 remembers...that used to be on sci-fi channel like every afternoon i love that show it was one of the greatest shows ... More »
Posted on 11/13/08
Cast:
Elizabeth Collins Stoddard (1966-70)...Joan Bennett
Naomi Collins (1967-68)...Joan Bennett
Judith Collins Trask (1969-70)...Joan Bennett
Flora Collins (1970-71)...Joan Bennett
Roger Collins (1966-70)...Louis Edmonds
Joshua Collins (1967-68, 1969)... Louis Edmonds
Edward Collins (1969-70)... Louis Edmonds
Daniel Collins #2 (1970)... Louis Edmonds
Amadeus Collins (1970)... Louis Edmonds
Brutus Collins (1971)...Louis Edmonds
Carolyn Collins Stoddard Hawkes #1(1966-70)...Nancy Barrett
Millicent Collins Forbes (1967-70)... Nancy Barrett
Charity Trask (1969)... Nancy Barrett
Pansy Faye (1969-70)... Nancy Barrett
Barnabas Collins (1967-71)...Jonathan Frid
Bramwell Collins (1971)...Jonathan Frid
Dr. Julia Hoffman (1967-71)...Grayson Hall
Carolyn Collins Stoddard Loomis (1970)... Nancy Barrett
Leticia Faye (1970-71)... Nancy Barrett
Melanie Collins (1971) (original cast)...Nancy Barrett
Maggie Evans (1966-70)...Kathryn Leigh Scott
Josette duPres Collins (1966-70)... Kathryn Leigh Scott
Josette duPres Collins #2...Natalie Norwich
Rachel Drummond (1969)... Kathryn Leigh Scott
Lady Hampshire aka Kitty Soames (1970)... Kathryn Leigh Scott
David Collins (1966-70)...David Henesey
Jamison Collins (1969)... David Henesey
Tad Collins (1970-71) (original cast)...David Henesy
Sobbing woman (1966)...Clarice Blackburn
Mrs. Sarah Johnson (1966-70)... Clarice Blackburn
Abigail Collins (1967-68)... Clarice Blackburn
Minerva Trask (1969)...Clarice Blackburn
Joe Haskell (1966-69)...Joel Crothers
Lt. Nathan Forbes (1967-69) (original cast)...Joel Crothers
Victoria Winters Clark (1966-69) (original cast)...Alexandra Isles
Victoria Winters (1966-68)...Alexandre Moltke
Victoria Winters Clark (1968)...Betsy Durkin
Victoria Winters (1969)...Carolyn Groves
Sam Evans (1966) (original cast)...Mark Allen
Sam Evans (1966-68)...David Ford
Andre duPres (1967)...David Ford
Burke Devlin (original cast)...Mitchell Ryan
Burke Devlin (1967)...Anthony George
Jerimiah Collins (1967)...Anthony George
Sheriff George Patterson (1966-67)...Dana Elcar
Sheriff George Patterson #2...Vince O'Brien
Sheriff George Patterson #3...Angus Cairns
Sheriff George Patterson #4...Alfred Sandor
Laura Murdock Radcliff Stockbridge Collins (1966-69)...Diana Millay
Matthew Morgan...George Mitchell
Matthew Morgan (1966)...David Thayer
Ben Stokes (1967-71)... David Thayer
Professor Timothy Eliot Stokes (1968-1971)... David Thayer
Sandor Rakosi (1969)... David Thayer
Victor Fenn-Gibbon aka Count Andreas Petofi (1970)... David Thayer
Timothy Stokes... David Thayer
Countess Natalie duPres (1967-70)... Grayson Hall
Magda Rakosi (1969)... Grayson Hall
Julia Collins (1970-71)...Grayson Hall
Willie Loomis...James Hall
Willie Loomis (1967-70)...John Karlen
Carl Collins (1969)...John Karlen
William H. Loomis (1970)...John Karlen
Desmond Collins (1970)...John Karlen
Kendrick Young (1971)...John Karlen
Tony Peterson (1967-68)...Jerry Lacy
Reverend Trask (1967-68)...Jerry Lacy
Gregory Trask (1969)...Jerry Lacy
Mr. Trask (1970)...Jerry Lacy
Lamar Trask (1970-71)...Jerry Lacy
Jason McGuire (1966-67)...Dennis Patrick
Dr. Guthrie (1967)...John Lasell
Sarah Collins (1967-68)...Sharon Smyth
Quentin Collins / Grant Douglas (1968-71)...David Selby
Angelique Bouchard Collins DuVal Rumson (1967-70)...Lara Parker
Cassandra (Blair) Collins (1968)...Lara Parker
Valerie Collins (1970)...Lara Parker
Miranda DuVal (1970)...Lara Parker
Catherine Harridge Collins (1971)...Lara Parker
Amy Jennings (1968-69)...Denise Nickerson
Nora Collins (1969)...Denise Nickerson
Amy Collins (1970)...Denise Nickerson
Nicholas Blair (1968, 1970)...Humbert Allen Astredo
Evan Hanley (1969)...Humber Allen Astredo
Charles Dawson (1970)...Humbert Allen Astredo
Tom Jennings (1968)... Donald Briscoe
Chris Jennings (1968-70)... Donald Briscoe
Tim Shaw (1969)... Donald Briscoe
Chris Collins (1970)...Donald Briscoe
Eve (1968)...Marie Wallace
Danielle Rogot (1968)...Marie Wallace
Megan Todd (1969-70)...Marie Wallace
Jenny Collins (1969)...Marie Wallace
Adam (1968)...Robert Rodan
Peter Bradford (1967-70)...Roger Davis
Jeff Clark aka Peter Bradford (1968-69)... Roger Davis
Ned Stuart (1969)... Roger Davis
Dirk Wilkins (1969)... Roger Davis
Charles Delaware Tate (1969-70)...Roger Davis
Dr. Eric Lang (1968)...Addison Powell
Philip Todd (1969-70)...Christopher Bernau
Sabrina Stuart (1969-70)...Lisa Richards
Amanda Harris (aka Olivia Corey) (1969)...Donna McKechnie
Daphne Harridge (1970-71)...Kate Jackson
Gerard Styles (1970-71)...Jim Storm
Jeb Hawkes (1970)... Christopher Pennock
Cyrus Longworth aka John Yaeger (1970)... Christopher Pennock
Sebastian Shaw (1970)... Christopher Pennock
Gabriel Collins (1970-71)...Christopher Pennock
Samantha Drew Collins (1970-71)...Virginia Vestoff
Hallie Stokes (1970)...Kathleen Cody
Carrie Stokes (1970-71)...Kathleen Cody
Aristede / Bruno / Laszlo...Michael Stroka
Morgan Collins (1971)...Keith Prentice
James Forsythe (1971)...Keith Prentice
Minnie DuVal...Camila Ashland
Mr. Wells, the clerk at the Collinsport Inn (original cast)...Conrad Bain
Bat of Hell, Vampire Bat...Bill Baird
Istvan (1968)...Henry Baker
Mr. Best (1969-70)...Emory Bass
Minister (1971)...Emory Bass
Joanna Mills (1971)...Lee Beery
Executioner...Steve Calder
Maude Browning (1967)...Vala Clifton
Lt. Dan Riley (1967)...John Connell
Josette DuPres Collins parallel time (1971)...Mary Cooper
Tate's Creation...Alexander Cort
Sheriff...Don Crabtree
Beth Chavez (1969-70)...Terry Crawford
Edith Collins (1969)...Isabella Hoopes
Edith Collins (1970-71)...Terry Crawford
Waitress...Carol Crist
Policeman...Ed Crowley
Blacnchard...Cliff Cudney
Constable Carter...Michael Currie
Julianka...Diana Davila
Prof. Henry...Ronald Dawson
Suki Forbes (1968)...Jane Draper
Hortense Smiley...Jenny Egan
Nelle Gunston (1970)...Elizabeth Eis
Buffie Harrington (1970)...Elizabeth Eis
Mildred Ward (1970)...Elizabeth Eis
Paul Stoddard (1967)...Joel Fabiani
Paul Stoddard (1969)...Dennis Patrick
Mrs. Lenore Fillmore (1969)...Mary Farrell
Leona Eltridge (1968)...Erica Fitz
Frank Garner (1966-67)...Conard Fowkes
Dr. Franklin...Ivor Francis
Richard Garner...Hugh Franklin
Pansy Faye (1969)...Kay Frye
Reverend Bland / Reverend Alton Brook / Judge Paul...Kirk Giles
Jerimiah's Ghost...Timothy Gordon
Gaoler, 3rd Judge, Ghost of Ezra Simpson...Tom Gorman
Blue Whale customer (1967)...Jay Gregory
Hangman's assistant / One-armed man...David Groh
Frank Paxton...Stanley Grover
Buzz Hackett (1967)...Michael Hadge
Inspector Hamilton...Colin Hamilton
Jeremy Grimes (1971)...Tom Happer
Lt. Costa (1967)...John Harkins
Horrace Gladstone (1970)...John Harkins
Ghost of Damion Edwards...Jered Holmes
Stuart Bronson (1966)...Barnard Hughes
Janet Findley...Cavada Humphrey
Justin Collins (1971)...David Hurst
Ruby Tate (1968)...Elaine Hyman
Judge Crathorne...House Jamison
Alexander Todd (1968)...David Jay
Wilber Strake(1966) (first two weeks)...Joseph Julian
Phylliss Wicke (1967-68)...Dorrie Kavanaugh
Blue Whale Patron...Harvey Keitel
The Cemetery Caretaker...Daniel Keyes
Gypsy...John LaMotta
Haza...Robin Lane
Crystal Cabot (a.k.a. Angelique Bouchard Collins) (1969)...Audrey Larkins
Hannah Stokes (1970)...Paula Laurence
Randall Drew (1970)...Gene Lindsey
Oberon...Peter Lombard
Tessie Kincaid...Deborah Loomis
Michael Hackett Todd...Michael Maitland
Harry Johnson (1968-69)...Craig Slocum
Harry Johnson...Edward Marshall
Vampire (1969)...Marsha Mason
Larry Chase (1970)...Ken McEwen
Judah Zachary (1970)...Michael McGuire
Bartender Bob Rooney #1...Kenneth McMillan
Bartender Bob Rooney #2...Bob O'Connell
King Johnny Romano (1969)...Paul Michael
Riggs (1967-68)...Dan Morgan
Diabolos...Duane Morris
Gaoler...Peter Murphy
Mr. Nakamura...Sho Onodera
Deputy...Clifford A. Pellow
Portia Fitzsimmons (1967)...Lovelady Powell
Sheriff Davenport...Ed Riley
Lady next to Victoria on train (1966) (first episode)...Jane Rose
Harris (1971)...Gordon Russell
Tim Braithwaite...Dick Sabol
Bill Maloy...Frank Schofield
Sky Rumson (1970)...Geoffrey Scott
Gaoler / Guard / Hangman / Zombie...James Shannon
Bathia Mapes (1968)...Anita Sharp-Bolster
The widow Romano...Lana Shaw
Barmaid at the Eagle...Rebecca Shaw
Noah Gifford (1968)...Craig Slocum
Ghost of Josette duPres Collins (1967)...Florence Stanley
The Werewolf...Alex Stevens
Dorcas Trilling (1969)...Gail Strickland
Steve...George Strus
Claude North...Brian Sturdivant
Ezra Hern...Dolph Sweet
Sophie Barnes (1967)...K.C. Townsend
Dr. Dave Woodard (1966)...Richard Woods
Dr. Dave Woodard (1967)...Robert Gerringer
Dr. Dave Woodard (1968)...Peter Turgeon
Ezra Braithwaite / Otis Greene (1969)...Abe Vigoda
Policeman at Collinsport Gaol...Paul Vincent
Carolyn Collins Stoddard Hawkes (temporary replacement) (1968)...Diana Walker
Roxanne Drew (1970-71)...Donna Wandrey
Jailer...Robert Warlock
Mrs. Hopewell (1966) (first two weeks)...Elizabeth Wilson
Naomi Collins (1967-68)...Joan Bennett
Judith Collins Trask (1969-70)...Joan Bennett
Flora Collins (1970-71)...Joan Bennett
Roger Collins (1966-70)...Louis Edmonds
Joshua Collins (1967-68, 1969)... Louis Edmonds
Edward Collins (1969-70)... Louis Edmonds
Daniel Collins #2 (1970)... Louis Edmonds
Amadeus Collins (1970)... Louis Edmonds
Brutus Collins (1971)...Louis Edmonds
Carolyn Collins Stoddard Hawkes #1(1966-70)...Nancy Barrett
Millicent Collins Forbes (1967-70)... Nancy Barrett
Charity Trask (1969)... Nancy Barrett
Pansy Faye (1969-70)... Nancy Barrett
Barnabas Collins (1967-71)...Jonathan Frid
Bramwell Collins (1971)...Jonathan Frid
Dr. Julia Hoffman (1967-71)...Grayson Hall
Carolyn Collins Stoddard Loomis (1970)... Nancy Barrett
Leticia Faye (1970-71)... Nancy Barrett
Melanie Collins (1971) (original cast)...Nancy Barrett
Maggie Evans (1966-70)...Kathryn Leigh Scott
Josette duPres Collins (1966-70)... Kathryn Leigh Scott
Josette duPres Collins #2...Natalie Norwich
Rachel Drummond (1969)... Kathryn Leigh Scott
Lady Hampshire aka Kitty Soames (1970)... Kathryn Leigh Scott
David Collins (1966-70)...David Henesey
Jamison Collins (1969)... David Henesey
Tad Collins (1970-71) (original cast)...David Henesy
Sobbing woman (1966)...Clarice Blackburn
Mrs. Sarah Johnson (1966-70)... Clarice Blackburn
Abigail Collins (1967-68)... Clarice Blackburn
Minerva Trask (1969)...Clarice Blackburn
Joe Haskell (1966-69)...Joel Crothers
Lt. Nathan Forbes (1967-69) (original cast)...Joel Crothers
Victoria Winters Clark (1966-69) (original cast)...Alexandra Isles
Victoria Winters (1966-68)...Alexandre Moltke
Victoria Winters Clark (1968)...Betsy Durkin
Victoria Winters (1969)...Carolyn Groves
Sam Evans (1966) (original cast)...Mark Allen
Sam Evans (1966-68)...David Ford
Andre duPres (1967)...David Ford
Burke Devlin (original cast)...Mitchell Ryan
Burke Devlin (1967)...Anthony George
Jerimiah Collins (1967)...Anthony George
Sheriff George Patterson (1966-67)...Dana Elcar
Sheriff George Patterson #2...Vince O'Brien
Sheriff George Patterson #3...Angus Cairns
Sheriff George Patterson #4...Alfred Sandor
Laura Murdock Radcliff Stockbridge Collins (1966-69)...Diana Millay
Matthew Morgan...George Mitchell
Matthew Morgan (1966)...David Thayer
Ben Stokes (1967-71)... David Thayer
Professor Timothy Eliot Stokes (1968-1971)... David Thayer
Sandor Rakosi (1969)... David Thayer
Victor Fenn-Gibbon aka Count Andreas Petofi (1970)... David Thayer
Timothy Stokes... David Thayer
Countess Natalie duPres (1967-70)... Grayson Hall
Magda Rakosi (1969)... Grayson Hall
Julia Collins (1970-71)...Grayson Hall
Willie Loomis...James Hall
Willie Loomis (1967-70)...John Karlen
Carl Collins (1969)...John Karlen
William H. Loomis (1970)...John Karlen
Desmond Collins (1970)...John Karlen
Kendrick Young (1971)...John Karlen
Tony Peterson (1967-68)...Jerry Lacy
Reverend Trask (1967-68)...Jerry Lacy
Gregory Trask (1969)...Jerry Lacy
Mr. Trask (1970)...Jerry Lacy
Lamar Trask (1970-71)...Jerry Lacy
Jason McGuire (1966-67)...Dennis Patrick
Dr. Guthrie (1967)...John Lasell
Sarah Collins (1967-68)...Sharon Smyth
Quentin Collins / Grant Douglas (1968-71)...David Selby
Angelique Bouchard Collins DuVal Rumson (1967-70)...Lara Parker
Cassandra (Blair) Collins (1968)...Lara Parker
Valerie Collins (1970)...Lara Parker
Miranda DuVal (1970)...Lara Parker
Catherine Harridge Collins (1971)...Lara Parker
Amy Jennings (1968-69)...Denise Nickerson
Nora Collins (1969)...Denise Nickerson
Amy Collins (1970)...Denise Nickerson
Nicholas Blair (1968, 1970)...Humbert Allen Astredo
Evan Hanley (1969)...Humber Allen Astredo
Charles Dawson (1970)...Humbert Allen Astredo
Tom Jennings (1968)... Donald Briscoe
Chris Jennings (1968-70)... Donald Briscoe
Tim Shaw (1969)... Donald Briscoe
Chris Collins (1970)...Donald Briscoe
Eve (1968)...Marie Wallace
Danielle Rogot (1968)...Marie Wallace
Megan Todd (1969-70)...Marie Wallace
Jenny Collins (1969)...Marie Wallace
Adam (1968)...Robert Rodan
Peter Bradford (1967-70)...Roger Davis
Jeff Clark aka Peter Bradford (1968-69)... Roger Davis
Ned Stuart (1969)... Roger Davis
Dirk Wilkins (1969)... Roger Davis
Charles Delaware Tate (1969-70)...Roger Davis
Dr. Eric Lang (1968)...Addison Powell
Philip Todd (1969-70)...Christopher Bernau
Sabrina Stuart (1969-70)...Lisa Richards
Amanda Harris (aka Olivia Corey) (1969)...Donna McKechnie
Daphne Harridge (1970-71)...Kate Jackson
Gerard Styles (1970-71)...Jim Storm
Jeb Hawkes (1970)... Christopher Pennock
Cyrus Longworth aka John Yaeger (1970)... Christopher Pennock
Sebastian Shaw (1970)... Christopher Pennock
Gabriel Collins (1970-71)...Christopher Pennock
Samantha Drew Collins (1970-71)...Virginia Vestoff
Hallie Stokes (1970)...Kathleen Cody
Carrie Stokes (1970-71)...Kathleen Cody
Aristede / Bruno / Laszlo...Michael Stroka
Morgan Collins (1971)...Keith Prentice
James Forsythe (1971)...Keith Prentice
Minnie DuVal...Camila Ashland
Mr. Wells, the clerk at the Collinsport Inn (original cast)...Conrad Bain
Bat of Hell, Vampire Bat...Bill Baird
Istvan (1968)...Henry Baker
Mr. Best (1969-70)...Emory Bass
Minister (1971)...Emory Bass
Joanna Mills (1971)...Lee Beery
Executioner...Steve Calder
Maude Browning (1967)...Vala Clifton
Lt. Dan Riley (1967)...John Connell
Josette DuPres Collins parallel time (1971)...Mary Cooper
Tate's Creation...Alexander Cort
Sheriff...Don Crabtree
Beth Chavez (1969-70)...Terry Crawford
Edith Collins (1969)...Isabella Hoopes
Edith Collins (1970-71)...Terry Crawford
Waitress...Carol Crist
Policeman...Ed Crowley
Blacnchard...Cliff Cudney
Constable Carter...Michael Currie
Julianka...Diana Davila
Prof. Henry...Ronald Dawson
Suki Forbes (1968)...Jane Draper
Hortense Smiley...Jenny Egan
Nelle Gunston (1970)...Elizabeth Eis
Buffie Harrington (1970)...Elizabeth Eis
Mildred Ward (1970)...Elizabeth Eis
Paul Stoddard (1967)...Joel Fabiani
Paul Stoddard (1969)...Dennis Patrick
Mrs. Lenore Fillmore (1969)...Mary Farrell
Leona Eltridge (1968)...Erica Fitz
Frank Garner (1966-67)...Conard Fowkes
Dr. Franklin...Ivor Francis
Richard Garner...Hugh Franklin
Pansy Faye (1969)...Kay Frye
Reverend Bland / Reverend Alton Brook / Judge Paul...Kirk Giles
Jerimiah's Ghost...Timothy Gordon
Gaoler, 3rd Judge, Ghost of Ezra Simpson...Tom Gorman
Blue Whale customer (1967)...Jay Gregory
Hangman's assistant / One-armed man...David Groh
Frank Paxton...Stanley Grover
Buzz Hackett (1967)...Michael Hadge
Inspector Hamilton...Colin Hamilton
Jeremy Grimes (1971)...Tom Happer
Lt. Costa (1967)...John Harkins
Horrace Gladstone (1970)...John Harkins
Ghost of Damion Edwards...Jered Holmes
Stuart Bronson (1966)...Barnard Hughes
Janet Findley...Cavada Humphrey
Justin Collins (1971)...David Hurst
Ruby Tate (1968)...Elaine Hyman
Judge Crathorne...House Jamison
Alexander Todd (1968)...David Jay
Wilber Strake(1966) (first two weeks)...Joseph Julian
Phylliss Wicke (1967-68)...Dorrie Kavanaugh
Blue Whale Patron...Harvey Keitel
The Cemetery Caretaker...Daniel Keyes
Gypsy...John LaMotta
Haza...Robin Lane
Crystal Cabot (a.k.a. Angelique Bouchard Collins) (1969)...Audrey Larkins
Hannah Stokes (1970)...Paula Laurence
Randall Drew (1970)...Gene Lindsey
Oberon...Peter Lombard
Tessie Kincaid...Deborah Loomis
Michael Hackett Todd...Michael Maitland
Harry Johnson (1968-69)...Craig Slocum
Harry Johnson...Edward Marshall
Vampire (1969)...Marsha Mason
Larry Chase (1970)...Ken McEwen
Judah Zachary (1970)...Michael McGuire
Bartender Bob Rooney #1...Kenneth McMillan
Bartender Bob Rooney #2...Bob O'Connell
King Johnny Romano (1969)...Paul Michael
Riggs (1967-68)...Dan Morgan
Diabolos...Duane Morris
Gaoler...Peter Murphy
Mr. Nakamura...Sho Onodera
Deputy...Clifford A. Pellow
Portia Fitzsimmons (1967)...Lovelady Powell
Sheriff Davenport...Ed Riley
Lady next to Victoria on train (1966) (first episode)...Jane Rose
Harris (1971)...Gordon Russell
Tim Braithwaite...Dick Sabol
Bill Maloy...Frank Schofield
Sky Rumson (1970)...Geoffrey Scott
Gaoler / Guard / Hangman / Zombie...James Shannon
Bathia Mapes (1968)...Anita Sharp-Bolster
The widow Romano...Lana Shaw
Barmaid at the Eagle...Rebecca Shaw
Noah Gifford (1968)...Craig Slocum
Ghost of Josette duPres Collins (1967)...Florence Stanley
The Werewolf...Alex Stevens
Dorcas Trilling (1969)...Gail Strickland
Steve...George Strus
Claude North...Brian Sturdivant
Ezra Hern...Dolph Sweet
Sophie Barnes (1967)...K.C. Townsend
Dr. Dave Woodard (1966)...Richard Woods
Dr. Dave Woodard (1967)...Robert Gerringer
Dr. Dave Woodard (1968)...Peter Turgeon
Ezra Braithwaite / Otis Greene (1969)...Abe Vigoda
Policeman at Collinsport Gaol...Paul Vincent
Carolyn Collins Stoddard Hawkes (temporary replacement) (1968)...Diana Walker
Roxanne Drew (1970-71)...Donna Wandrey
Jailer...Robert Warlock
Mrs. Hopewell (1966) (first two weeks)...Elizabeth Wilson
Network:
ABC
Release History:
6/27/66 - 4/2/71 ABC
It was the first Gothic daytime drama, ABC’s first soap opera shot in color, and appealed equally to Goth-loving teenagers and their housewife moms. This half hour of ghostly thrills and otherworldly storylines made Dark Shadows one of the most unique – and popular – shows on television.
The series was created by Dan Curtis (who would later make viewers cry with mini-series’ The Winds of War and War and Remembrance), who said the idea for Dark Shadows came to him in a dream. The story begins with a young governess who moves to the seaside village of Collinsport, Maine to take care of the Collins’ small son at the creepy Collinswood mansion.
Initially, the show’s ratings weren’t particularly good, and in an attempt to keep the show from, er, dying, the character Barnabas Collins, an almost two-hundred-year-old vampire, was added. Played by veteran Shakespearean actor Jonathan Frid, Barnabas drew in viewers with his empathetic blend of humanity and fiendishness. The success of the character paved the way for other supernatural additions such as werewolves, ghosts, and a witch named Angelique.
In the story, the mansion’s groundskeeper was looking for buried treasure and opened up a crypt in search of it. The crypt held the vampire Barnabas, who was then free to feed on the townspeople. But Barnabas felt guilty about his deadly exploits, and Dr. Julia Hoffman decided she would help him find a cure for his need for blood. But Julia developed feelings for our vampire friend, who was still desperately in love with his wife, Josette DuPress, who died long ago in the 1700’s. Conveniently enough, local girl Maggie looks just like her, setting up a addictive love triangle that viewers couldn’t get enough of.
Newport, Rhode Island was the location for the exterior shots, and interiors were shot in New York. Respected local actors such as Harvey Keitel, Abe Vigoda, Marsha Mason and Kate Jackson appeared on the show. The network demanded that the special effects-laden show not do any retakes. The result is an array of bloopers throughout the production – forgotten lines, stage hands getting in the way of shots, cigarette smoke from the crew wafting into the shot, gravestones falling over, and microphones in the shot. Characters were often coming back from the dead and moving back and forth through the centuries – occasionally resulting in the exhausted actors calling the other characters by the wrong name.
The fascinating characters and thrilling storylines garnered millions of viewers, including former First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. The show licensed the characters out for View-Master viewer reels and trading cards, and it was the basis for a Broadway play and two feature films - House of Dark Shadows in 1970 and Night of Dark Shadows in 1971.
Dark Shadows went off the air on April 2, 1971 after five years on TV, and production was started on Night of Dark Shadows. Strong viewer support paved the way for reruns to be aired throughout the 70’s and 80’s, and a new Dark Shadows production was started for a made-for-TV movie in 1990, along with a new prime time show in 1991. That series was cancelled only a few months later, but the original series never lost it’s un-dead luster. Today there are still conventions, clubs, fanzines, and websites paying homage to this deliciously ghoulish soap opera.
