Episode 278: The Bright Legacy of Dark Shadows

Next year marks the 60th anniversary of Dark Shadows. The gothic soap opera wasn’t originally intended to include a vampire, but when creator Dan Curtis introduced the character of Barnabas Collins in a last-ditch effort to avoid cancellation, he inadvertently launched a cultural phenomenon. As portrayed by actor Jonathan Frid, the character of Barnabas sparked a never-ending debate among horror fans as to whether vampires should be depicted as pure predators or tragic, misunderstood outcasts. I talk with Danielle Gelehrter (host of the podcast Terror at Collinwood) and authors Mark Dawidziak and Jeff Thompson about why the show had a meteoric rise and fall, what the series reflected about the 1960s, and whether Dark Shadows can have eternal life as a form of IP. 
This week’s episode is sponsored by Hims and Remi
The Bright Legacy of Dark Shadows transcript
MUSIC LIST
  • Horror TV Poltergeist by Luella Gren
  • Impervious by Dorian Pinto 
  • Darkest Child by Kevin Macleod
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Episode 279: Murderbot Is Ready for Its Close-Up (But Not Eye Contact)

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Episode 277: Body Horror Gets Under My Skin