As a seasoned gamer and a self-proclaimed connoisseur of all things supernatural, I find myself deeply entwined in the saga that is ‘Dark Shadows’. With over five decades of captivating storytelling under its belt, this series has managed to transcend time, resonating with generations of fans like me who can’t seem to get enough of the paranormal.
Back in the swing of things, 60 years prior to my current binge on “What We Do in the Shadows” bagging its third Emmy nod for best comedy series, there was a supernatural TV show called “Dark Shadows.” This one premiered way back in June 1966, and it brought vampires, ghosts, werewolves, and witches to our screens, although with fewer laugh-out-loud moments than the modern version.
The popular TV show “Dark Shadows” gained significant popularity due to its main character, Barnabas Collins, played by Jonathan Frid. He was a vampire who had been imprisoned for nearly 200 years before being released midway through the first season. This event significantly increased viewer interest in the series. Frid portrayed Barnabas with a deep sense of existential struggle as a sympathetic monster compelled to drink human blood. Alongside other cast members, he took a break from the show to film the movie “House of Dark Shadows,” which was released in 1970 and enjoyed great box office success, featuring uncut gore. A sequel arrived the following year, shortly after the series’ cancellation. However, Frid had chosen to leave Barnabas by then, and the movie “Night of Dark Shadows” focused instead on another “Dark Shadows” villain, the witch Angelique, played by Lara Parker.
Fans have continued to cherish the franchise over the years due to reruns and home video distributions. Moreover, ardent admirers Tim Burton and Johnny Depp translated their devotion into a 2012 “Dark Shadows” movie, marking their final collaboration. In this film, Depp realized his youthful aspiration of portraying Barnabas. The screenplay by Seth Grahame-Smith adopted a comedic fish-out-of-water perspective, with Barnabas being released in 1972 and finding himself comically out of place in the modern world. He grapples with his indifferent forebears (portrayed by Michelle Pfeiffer, Jonny Lee Miller, and Chloë Grace Moretz) and his main adversary, Angelique (Eva Green). Despite its inconsistent tone, “THR” commended the lead actor’s performance: “Depp delivers a spot-on portrayal in a meticulously humorous performance that fits perfectly in his collection of unique, eccentric characters.”
Originally featured in a solitary August issue of The Hollywood Reporter’s magazine, you can get this magazine by clicking here to subscribe.
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2024-08-10 21:24