Interesteg What makes it different from others?

BoardChiri Bad Acting and worse Bad Screenplay

Ginger Very good movie overall, highly recommended. Most of the negative reviews don't have any merit and are all pollitically based. Give this movie a chance at least, and it might give you a different perspective.

Delight Yes, absolutely, there is fun to be had, as well as many, many things to go boom, all amid an atmospheric urban jungle.

mark.waltz Unless you are referring to Grayson Hall by her real name of Shirley Grayson, do not call anybody Shirley here. The tongue is in the cheek, the gloves are off and the blood is flowing in this serial which used vampires, witches and werewolves to create conflict in the foggy Massachusetts town of Collinsport. repeated as both of brief 1990 TV series and a recent movie that failed to live up to the original success, this still has to the steps of time and is among the most rerun of daytime soap operas ever produced. Of course that is and rarity in rebroadcasting, but recently, other day time soaps has been brought back as well and with all of the vintage TV shows making comeback, the medium of soap opera which has pretty much disappeared anyway, is looked on now as a special form of art.Dark Shadows cakes on both of cereal and the soap opera, utilizing plot devices of the chapter plays of the 1930s 1940s and 1950s, and while those were certainly better made then this video taped TV show, there are definite influences of that mixed in with a continuing bedtime stories that has been popular for close to two decades by the time dark shadows made its premiere.Headlined by Hollywood veteran Joan Bennett as the matriarch of a wealthy family, this story took some time to develop and it was with the presence of vampire Barnabas Collins, played by stage actor Jonathan Frid, that it took off, and being broadcast late in the afternoon attracted a school age audience. Then there were many other creatures of the night who popped in and out, it was Barnabas and a werewolf named Quentin that attracted the bulk of the attention, with a witch named Angelique as the villainous who had influences on both character's fates. Future night time TV soap actor David Selby was first seen in this, while a beautiful blonde named Lara Parker was an excellent Angelique, the gorgeous which who unlike Bewitched's Samantha Stevens, had nothing but evil up her sleeve. But any supernatural story like this needs a mad doctor, from somebody to destroy them or to help them recover from their cursed lives, and that came in the presence of the very eccentric Dr. Julia Hoffman, played by Oscar nominee Grayson Hall who became like Frid extremely popular, and dominated the show by appearing almost daily. The story went into various time periods and even in two parallel time, allowing Hoffman's character to cross paths with a quite different version of her character. The quality of the video was often static, actors often fought to find their places on the teleprompter or had to deal with intrusions such as flies, noises from the backdrops and other minor annoyances, but this made it all the more fun to watch. Always expect the unexpected, that seem to be the rule of fun for Dark Shadows. Now 50 years since its original premiere, it is as popular as ever, and even though its only ran for a short five years, it has made it onto home video via VHS and DVD, and has been we broadcast on television over the years many times. Dark Shadows obviously was an influence for many soap opera writers who remembered the fun story lines from theirs youth and utilize similar themes in supposedly more realistic settings.The lovely Joan Bennett was still very glamorous when she made the switch from movies to television, and while not as hard as some of her film noir vixens, there is definitely something mysterious about her. Lewis Edmonds, who went on to play a con man turned alleged professor on All My Children, first one day time same playing for rather Stern brother. There were several young characters to mix out the veterans with newcomers, and while some of them seem to pale in comparison to the older actors, they certainly were attractive, a trend that has continued on daytime TV until this day. Dark Shadows remains a controversial show that people I do remember with fondness or with laughter or with the comment to that camp show. Yeah I remember that from when I was a kid, but isn't it rather juvenile now? The shows from the sixties that stand the test of time, and those who don't. Some are simply just fun reminders have any more innocent time in our lives, and it is a thrill to see that shows like this can still stay up memories of how great entertainment used to be. Television may indeed be a medium, but I will certainly call this a definite classic.

calvinnme 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.

Scarecrow-88 I picked up the special edition Dark Shadows disc commemorating the Gothic soap featuring episodes celebrating the immortal (pun intended) Barnabas Collins, chosen by popularity. Because IMDb doesn't have an episode listing (boo!), I will have to edit this review with the episodes featured.The first is Episode 221 where Barnabas eyes waitress Maggie, striking up a conversation after the diner has closed. This has dialogue about his wolfshead cane, as the two become acquainted. It is obvious even here Barnabas's intentions, his infatuation with the innocent and sweet Maggie, and how whiny, weak servant Willie expresses his concern for her as his master becomes irritated at his accusations. Barnabas tells her that he is a cousin of Elizabeth Stoddard and will be staying at the decrepit "Old House" near Collins' master house. Maggie's boyfriend, Joe, mentions a near-attack on a local girl and we hear the cries of restless dogs, not to mention, the ominous nature surrounding Barnabas, that palpable menace is established excellently in this great episode. Remember that this is a soap opera so dialogue and performance, as well as, staging, are of particular importance so Dark Shadows won't be for everyone. The inspiration of Dracula is obvious during this period of Dark Shadows, but to the soap's credit, it would eventually evolve beyond this source of vampire lore.Watching Episode 349 just has me yearning for the entire series of Dark Shadows. It concerns an aged Barnabas (the horrifying results of Dr. Julia Hoffman's failed experiments to cure his vampirism) aching from the wrinkled body he now has and how Hoffman tries to convince him to feed from the blood of Victoria Winters in order to regain his youthful appearance. Meanwhile Carolyn Stoddard speaks with both Victoria and Joe about her concerns regarding boy cousin David's fear of Barnabas. Lots of story is covered in this episode but I felt you long to have seen these events covered in conversations. Carolyn is the device who fills us into what has been missed; in particular, David's seeing Sarah, a girl considered fictional, and the complex relationship between Hoffman and Barnabas is noticeable. Willie is in prison, and Carolyn will soon be Barnabas victim, herself to be a vampire. Also, Hoffman's in love with Barnabas so her motivations regarding his using Victoria for a meal has ulterior motives, at the forefront jealousy. It is hard not to envy what is missing while watching this set as huge leaps are taken per episode featured.

kevin wade Smith I'm glad I bought the Fan-Favorites DVD before I bought the whole series. I was going to buy it just on its reputation alone, dark Shadows is not the show for me. I love a lot of the older series: Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea, The Wild Wild West, Invaders, Tarzan; staring Ron Ely, The Man From U.N.C.L.E., Barnaby Jones, Harry-O, Mission Impossible, UFO, Space 1999, Emergency, Columbo, Ellery Queen; with Tim Hutton, The A-Team, Hawaii 5-O, The Hardy Boys; even Monk; perhaps it was the old-style English-like Dinner-Theatre format--surveillance-quality cameras, big-heads, and only two-folks in each frame; or, the fact that soap-opera in general has always made me feel queasy? Perhaps if I followed the series from start-to-finish I'd be a better devote; I've always believed that if enough people like something then there must be something to like about it--I'm just not getting it in this series.It relied heavily on posers; and to a lot of them I found myself say, "So-What!" As George Peppared might say, "I just couldn't get into the Jazz!" There's a peculiar frame of mind this might become enticing to; I just couldn't find the concerted efforts to be bothered with it.I found Dark Shadows uninteresting and solely designed just to set off your emotions; there is merit here, but not enough for me--I will not be purchasing the complete series.I would not detract from those who know more about it. I've loved things myself that others have found as nonsensical.It is a show for those who have had some tradition of watching it; but what do I know, one of my friends loves Coronation Street?