Dark Shadows - Dan Curtis Interview 05

[@melissajenniferjones9959]

I did run home from school, as a kid, to watch Dark Shadows. I loved the show!! I liked the night time version of Dark Shadows too. Now, I watch the original on Tubi!

[@hudsony777]

And yet, who really remembers the prime-time series? I loved the old original, warts and all.

[@XA351GT]

I thought the primetime series was fantastic. Great cast and sets The Story was a streamlined version of the best of the daytime show so there was no fat.

[@vincentschmitt7597]

It bored me. I missed the seat of your pants original shows. It might very well be impossible to do that again. They would have to start with live taping or live tv to put that crazy spark back in it.

[@hudsony777]

@@vincentschmitt7597 The prime time series was very polished with well known actors. Who could argue against Barbara Steele? But it was dull. After all these years I have watched some of the very early episodes of the soap, before all the supernatural elements, and I was surprised at how well-written it is and well-acted.

[@TheBob3759]

Great point.

[@eleni1968]

I don't think you could compare the original series to the DS of the 1990's version. According to Dan Curtis the way they did taping back in the '60's was a chaotic experience and the technology was very archiac, as Dan Curtis put it. For Curtis, the actors were very different from each other. I don't believe Ben Cross ever wanted to copy Jonathan Frid, instead Ben Cross did a different interpretation of Barnabas but equally menacing as JFs was. He did play down the vulnerability of Barnabas. For JF Barnabas came out of Macbeth and RIchard the 1or 2, I can't remember. I would like to see the 1990's version of DS. JF was surprised he missed the 1990's version of DS himself as he said in one of the interviews and expressed an interest in seeing it. I think he would have appreciated Ben Cross' interpretation of Barnabas Collins. Back in the '60's the actors never had a chance to learn their lines since it was on daily, whereas in the '90's the actors had more time to learn their lines and rehearse as it was probably a weekly show.

[@vincentschmitt7597]

Exactly the way I feel about the two. The "live to tape" element was crucial to its appeal. I felt like I was watching a backyard play and loved it for that.

[@hezekiahramirez6965]

I would think this probably isn't the most popular of opinions but I think Ben Cross was a better Barnabas than Jonathan Frid. He was certainly more believable and probably a better actor. Jonathan was so over the top. I understand that's the way it was back then but that doesn't change the performance. Ben Cross was just more grounded and menacing so I think he was the superior Barnabas.

[@picassoboy52]

Hezekiah Ramirez you must be a young person. No one over 50 will ever admit that anyone in the known universe could be better than Frid. No one of a certain age will ever admit such a thing. He's just too classic. Lots of actors are better. But he was the first and the best. Yes the acting was corny and primitive, terrible in some cases, but that's part of the charm. He will always be the only Barnabas for generations of fans. That's the end of the story.

[@11redlions]

Frid brought his years of Shakesperian training to Barnabas, plus he could be very threatening yet gentlemanly, and in some ways vulnerable. Together with his particular looks; he drove women wild, and its the fans who say is the best. 5 k fan letters per week. You can't argue with that.

[@jeanettesmith765]

Johnathan Frid is the perfect Barnabas for us that began watching it starting in 1966. He imprinted on us, and most of can't accept another one.

[@Barnabas45]

@@picassoboy52 Totally agree!

[@vincentschmitt7597]

As when any actor plays an iconic part it is hard for me to see anyone else in the role. Adam West is a good example. How would I have felt if Lyle Waggoner won the Batman role? I dont know.