The Tim Burton movie version of Dark Shadows with Johnny Depp opens this Friday, May 11. But for hardcore fans, this 131 DVD box set is the Holy Grail. All 400 episodes of the TV vampire soap opera are here in a convenient coffin carrying case. Formerly available only as a limited edition, this boxed set contains every eerie episode of the original series. Dark Shadows was broadcast on ABC from 1966 to 1971. Also included in this set are interviews with the stars and members of the production team that made this supernatural thriller series a cult favorite. AMAZON has this bargain priced at $419.99 (retail: $600).
I’m one of many who remember racing home from school to watch “Dark Shadows.” Even at 11, I knew the production values were pretty thin (walls would shake when actors slammed doors, etc.). And am I just imagining it or was there was an episode where a supposedly-dead Barnabas miraculously stood up and casually walked away from the set while the credits rolled? (Frid thought the shot, being done live, was over.) Ah, good times.
DARK SHADOWS fans like you, Deb, will be dancing in the streets (and sitting in front of their TVs playing these DVDs) as soon as this nifty coffin set goes on sale. Smaller box sets are planned. And, I’m sure NetFlix and AMAZON and HULU will make the whole series available.
Yowsa. $420 before tax, if applicable. I have to wonder what I’d have to have in front of me to yank that out of my account.
While I’m aware of only two network weekdaily soaps ever to get syndicated repeats–as opposed to the dying SoapNet’s repeats–DARK SHADOWS and THE EDGE OF NIGHT–afaik this is only so far to get such home video treatment. (Items originally broadcast in syndication, such as DARK SHADOWS imitator STRANGE PARADISE [zombies rather than vampires] and MARY HARTMAN, MARY HARTMAN were unsurprisingly also available as syndicated repeats for those stations as wanted.)
I’m sure this 131 DVD coffin case will be a collector’s item soon, Todd. Worth every penny!
I don’t think I ever saw this. Knew of it, of course, but never watched it.
DARK SHADOWS was highly addicting, Patti. I’m guessing the Johnny Depp version will be more campy than the original.
The production values were awful. You could play a drinking game based on how many times the overhead microphone was in the shot. One time a door failed to close and you could see a stagehand reaching out stealthily to pull it shut. But I loved it anyway. I could almost justify the price of this, if I just had time to watch it . . . which I don’t.
Yes, the on-air gaffs of DARK SHADOWS were legendary, James. But it had plenty of loyal fans! Like you!
Oh, so very tempting. But I think I’ll have to pass. Credit card debt is soemthing I’m trying to eliminate not increase.
I liked this show a lot better when the Gothic soap opera elements slowly disappeared over time and the vampires and witches took over the story line. Joan Bennet was fantastic – everyone forgets she was part of the cast.
I guessing this nifty coffin set is going to sell out fast, John. Think of buying it as an “investment” and suddenly it makes perfect sense!
Actually, there are 1225 episodes. It will be even more of a collector’s item since i believe the first run of the set contain an autographed picture of Jonathan Frid.
I may have confused the number of episodes with the number of hours (400) of video in this box set, Ray. Thanks for the correction!
Saw one episode, maybe near the start of the second year, thought it was awful, and didn’t bother with it again. Hey, I just saved $420! Yay for me. Those of you who liked it enough, this might be a good deal. Like Charles, even if I liked it and wanted it, I’d never have the time or inclination to sit the many, many hours it would take to watch it. Reading comes first!
The Tim Burton/Johnny Depp version of DARK SHADOWS may ignite interest in the original series, Rick. Like you, I’d rather be reading than watching over a 1000 episodes!
Jackie was a huge fan of the series too, George, but has other ways to stimulate the economy than spending $419 on this.
Yet thousands of DARK SHADOWS fans will be buying this set, Jeff.