DARK SHADOWS: BEHIND THE SCENES (TV)
Summary
This program is an overview of the gothic daytime serial "Dark Shadows," combining the recollections of cast and crew members with highlights from the show, which ran from 1966 to 1971. Dan Curtis, the show's executive producer, recalls how he came up with the concept: the result of a dream about a young woman on a train who is to be hired as a governess in a remote part of Maine. Alexandra Moltke remembers being cast as the governess, as well as how her near-sightedness prevented her from reading the teleprompter when she forgot lines. Curtis spends much time reflecting on how the show's first six months -- chronicling the rich, mysterious Collins family of Collinsport, Maine, and their spooky mansion, Collinwood -- brought about threats of cancellation. Assuming he had nothing to lose, he introduced supernatural elements, which caused an immediate ratings spike. Ten months into the show, Curtis conceived the character of Barnabas Collins, a 175-year-old vampire accidentally released from his coffin in the family crypt who's intent on bloody retribution. Jonathan Frid, cast as Barnabas, comments on how the conception of a vicious monster who's also vulnerable and lovelorn, sent ratings through the roof. The program also covers: how the actors became a repertory troupe playing various characters as the plot jumped between centuries; how the taped, famously under-rehearsed show was virtually live since no retakes were allowed, causing many gaffes to be aired; crowds lining up each day outside the 53rd Street studio in New York City to meet the actors; the making of two big-screen "Dark Shadows" films ("House of Dark Shadows" and "Night of Dark Shadows"); screen legend Joan Bennett -- who played the Collins family matriarch -- talking about her "Dark Shadows" role on "The Mike Douglas Show"; and the advent of "Dark Shadows" conventions, held every year since 1993 in either New York City or Los Angeles.
Details
- NETWORK: N/A
- DATE: 1991
- RUNNING TIME: 1:01:30
- COLOR/B&W: Color and B&W
- CATALOG ID: T:62392
- GENRE: Public affairs/Documentaries
- SUBJECT HEADING: Documentary; Drama, daytime serial
- SERIES RUN: ABC - TV series, 1966-1971
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Dan Curtis … Executive Producer, Created by, Director
- Jim Pierson … Producer
- Robert Costello … Producer
- Peter Miner … Producer
- Lela Swift … Producer, Director
- Henry Kaplan … Director
- John Sedwick … Director
- Jack Sullivan … Director
- Sam Hall … Writer
- Gordon Russell … Writer
- Ron Sproat … Writer
- Art Wallace … Writer
- Violet Welles … Writer
- Robert Cobert … Music by
- Nancy Barrett
- Clarice Blackburn
- Robert Cobert
- Terry Crawford
- Dan Curtis
- Roger Davis
- Louis Edmonds
- Jonathan Frid
- Kate Jackson
- John Karlen
- Jerry Lacy
- Donna McKechnie
- Diana Millay
- Alexandra Moltke
- Lara Parker
- Jason Patrick
- Chris Pennock
- Lisa Richards
- Robert Rodan
- Kathryn Leigh Scott
- David Selby
- Sharon Smyth
- Michael Stroka
- Lela Swift
- Marie Wallace
- Donna Wandrey