You may not know this, but there was also a series of novels published based on the show (like the Star Trek novels). I still have a few of those and the ones published based on one of my other favorites, The Man from U.N.C.L.E.

I was dubious about the movie, but I like Johnny Depp, so I went to see if after my mother recommended it. I have to say I liked it. It wasn’t the same, of course, but I found it to be funny and reverent at the same time. And it ended the right way, with Barnabas getting the girl (I mean, really, who didn’t want Barnabas to get the girl?).

No one has mentioned the brief attempt at reviving the show for Prime Time in 1991. That wasn’t bad, but I think the creators were taking themselves and the series too seriously, and it didn’t catch on, which was a shame. The idea of Dark Shadows as a movie isn’t nearly as appealing to me as another TV series would be. The theatrical releases were a bit too much for me, however; I was too young for the more hardcore horror.

Thanks for writing about this! Maybe one of these days I’ll pick up the original series and watch them again – warts and all.

After seeing that commercial all three of us got out of bed that night and ran to find our parents. The funny thing is, this subject came up at our family Christmas a couple of years ago, and all three of us still remembered that whole incident (including the commercial) in vivid detail, 40 years after the fact! My older sister even remembered our dad’s reaction: “That’s it! No more watching Dark Shadows!” And Mom’s reply, “They don’t watch it! That was just the commercial!”

My daughter, who grew up hearing this story, jokingly said that my sisters & I should all go see the movie together, as a sort of group therapy.

Needless to say, I don’t write paranormals!

I watched an old Lost in Space episode because Dennis Patrick (who played Jason McGuire) was in it. He played the “Golden Man,” and despite the heavy makeup, I kept thinking of his character as Jason McGuire covered with gold paint.

I also wanted to add that I thought it was lovely to see Jonathan Frid, Lara Parker, Kathryn Leigh Scott, and David Selby in their cameos during the big party scene. I had no trouble recognizing them, and even though Jonathan Frid passed away before the movie opened, I’m glad he got to have his little moment in it.

I had misgivings about the new movie, but since I love Johnny Depp, I gave it a try. I liked it more than I expected to, although there were definitely some changes. (Especially making Victoria Winters/Maggie Evans the same character.) I thought the actors did a good job capturing the original “dramatic” acting style, and I thought the humor was actually well done. It wasn’t MY “Dark Shadows,” but I enjoyed it and am thrilled that new generations are hearing about “Dark Shadows.”

AAR Sandy: Maggie, where did you find Dark Shadows on Roku?

Netflix. I put it on my instant queue. Not sure of how many seasons I have but I know I have the 1966 Season 1. You can also buy episodes on Amazon.