Dark Shadows: The Beginning Collection 2 (1966) Review

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(More customer reviews)Following it's landmark premier in 1966, the first-ever gothic soap opera, Dark Shadows, settled into its afternoon timeslot to haunt viewers with is unique blend of romance and terror. Unfortunately, viewership dwindled steadily, despite excellent stories and equally fine acting, which are clearly demonstrated in this latest boxed set of remastered DVD episodes from MPI Home Video.
The Beginning Set 1, reflecting the first 35 episodes of the series, introduced the characters and eerie atmosphere created by innovative sets and unforgettable original music that was the hallmark of the show for its five-year run.
The Beginning Set 2, which collects the next 35 episodes, builds on that foundation by further developing the main characters and adding some new ones.
Burke Devlin, portrayed with animation and realism by Mitchell Ryan, has returned to Collinsport a rich man after being away for 10 years. He spent the first five years in prison after being convicted in Collinsport of manslaugter. He had spent the succeeeding years years abroad amassing his fortune before returning, embittered and angry, to his hometown.
In these episodes, Burke begins to unravel the truth behind the crime for which he was falsely convicted, and strategizes to take over the Collins Family's vast financial holdings, including the family estate of Collinwood.
Victoria Winters, played to perfection by Alexandra Moltke, finds herself drawn to Burke, then embroiled in a bitter feud with Carolyn Stoddard, portrayed by the incredible Nancy Barrett, who inexplicably decides she no longer wants her steady but "boring" boyfriend, Joe Haskell, but would rather try to seduce the volatile Burke.
As a result, Joe, played by the late Joel Crothers, begins to develop romantic feelings for waitress Maggie Evans, played by Kathryn Leigh Scott. (Cast Note: Mark Allen, the actor who originated the role of Maggie's father, Sam Evans, is now replaced by actor David Ford, who brings a depth and likeability to the character as never before.)
David Collins, the young son of Burke's arch enemy, Roger Collins (who testified against Burke at his trial,) is given a crystal ball by Burke and "sees" the disappearance of Bill Malloy, manager of Collins Enterprises and Cannery. Malloy, who has begun to believe that Burke was innocent of the manslaughter charge, had been investigating and had asked to meet with Burke, Roger and Sam that night to discuss what he had found. Instead, Malloy's lifeless body is found washed up on the rocks by Widow's Hill.
Talented actress Clarice Blackburn joins the cast as Malloy's housekeeper Mrs. Sarah Johnson, who eventually becomes the live-in housekeeper for the Collins Family at Collinwood. This set also features the debut of the brilliant actor, Thayer David, who took over the role of Collinwood ground's keeper Matthew Morgan. Mr. David would go on to play some of the show's most memorable characters during the remainder of the series' run.
Special features in this set include: Interviews with Moltke, Ryan and Conrad Fowkes, who portrayed attorney Frank Garner.
These early episodes occur prior to the arrival of the vampire, Barnabas Collins, played by the gifted Jonathan Frid. Series Creator, the late Dan Curtis, decided to "go all the way" into the supernatural in an attempt to save the show from falling ratings. It worked. Once Frid joined the cast, the show skyrocketed to iconic status. Many fans who began watching once Barnabas became a fixture on the show, never saw these early episodes, so it's wonderful to have them finally available on DVD, to see how it all began!! Besides, there's plenty of gothic intrigue in these episodes to satisfy anyone.
Bring on Set 3!!

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Dark Shadows DVD Collection 3 (1966) Review

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(More customer reviews)I have Dark Shadows volume 1 & 2, went through a period of time for awhile when I was trying to tape them off the Sci-Fi Network but these dvds are the answer to a prayer - I canNOT wait for collection #3, and in all sincerity I am glad they are spacing them apart as they are - easier to afford each one as it's released, as I buy a LOT of dvds as it is!!
The amazing thing about "DS" is that it is so addictive; no matter your opinion on soap operas, or horror yarns, there is NOTHING like "Dark Shadows" to keep you enthralled and always waiting for the next chapter - I know some have complained that the quality of the dvds isn't prime, but to me the fact that each show looks as it did when it was on television adds to the sense of nostalgia and creepiness the show had for me as a child - but with the everlasting dvd quality! I applaud MPI and their WISE decision to bring us the best of all soaps in dvd form! My only "negative" is, I hope that, when done, MPI will go back and release the individual first 200 episodes, as well.
Oh, and to the person complaining that they're only putting on two months per set - Good Lord, we are talking 40 episodes each, about 14 HOURS per set!! As someone with a busy schedule and tons of dvds and tapes, that's plenty for me between sets - and the only way to keep the cost per set even as low as it is!
LONG LIVE BARNABAS!!

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Dark Shadows DVD Collection 1 (1966) Review

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(More customer reviews)... Basically, this first DVD set is VHS Volumes 1-4; in other words, 8 actual weeks of the programme, 2 weeks on each disc. The quality is better than the VHS tapes, but not greatly, as Dark Shadows was a very low budget soap opera, and through the years some of the original prints were lost, damaged, etc., and alternative prints were utilised in their stead; but it is a definite improvement over the quality of the VHS tapes. The programmes on this DVD collection begin at the same point in the series as the VHS videos begin: a synopsis of the earlier episodes and characters followed by the introduction of Barnabas Collins the Vampyre. As far as extras, there are three interviews approximately 5 minutes long each: Jonathan Frid (Barnabas), Kathryn Leigh-Scott (Maggie, Josette), and John Karlen (Willie, Kendrick), each interviewed several years ago. What really should be noted about the DVD collection(s) that differs from the VHS tapes is that ALL THE EPISODES ARE COMPLETE AND UNEDITED. The VHS tapes are actually edited. I didn't really notice this at first, until I realised I was seeing episodes and parts of episodes that weren't shown in the VHS volumes. (A clue to this being my former statement that the DVD collection, consisiting of 8 weeks, equals that of the VHS Volumes, 1-4; and as the VHS volumes only consist of approximately one week each, the math is incorrect.) By seeing the complete episodes, the viewer will find (after having watched the VHS tapes) the story to be fleshed out more, focusing more on all the characters and situations.
If you're new to Dark Shadows and are curious about this show and want a good starter sampler, this DVD collection is perhaps the best and least expensive way to start. For to begin with less than these 40 episodes will not give one a good idea of the scope of this programme. Quite frankly, even 40 episodes isn't enough to give anyone the idea of the scope of this show as there were so many changes in events and characters throughout the series. Keep in mind this is/was a five day a week soap opera (even if it is gothic), that it was on for approximately four to five years, that, as with all soap operas, it is mainly dialogue-based and moves at a snail's pace, and that, as such, can be very boring and tedious at times! And do expect low budget effects, bouts of melodramatic acting, and loads and loads of flubs and mistakes that made it onto film (due to the fact that the show was more often than not taped live and editing wasn't an option). However despite the many drawbacks, Dark Shadows is charming, addicting, imaginative, romantic, and eerie. And no matter how much one likes or dislikes a particular episode, one simply MUST see the next episode...and the next...and the next...and so on.
In a nutshell, Dark Shadows, with all its faults (probably more than any other show that ever aired on television), is pleasing because of the suspense and intrigue, and the imagination that propells it; because of the continuing story and the characters involved (who are portrayed by some very talented actors); and because of the romantic, supernatural escapism that draws us in. Watching Dark Shadows is very much like watching a play on a stage; and if one views it that way (no pun intended) all the mistakes, flubs, etc. will simply not matter.
...

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Item Name: Dark Shadows - DVD; Studio:Mpi Home Video

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Dark Shadows: The Beginning, Collection 3 - Episodes 71-105 Review

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(More customer reviews)After months of sagging ratings, the fledgling soap opera Dark Shadows did, what in the words of its creator, Dan Curtis, no daytime drama had ever done: it went supernatural.
Following it's landmark premier in 1966, the first-ever gothic soap opera, Dark Shadows, settled into its afternoon time slot to haunt viewers with is unique blend of romance and psychological terror a la Jane Eyre. Unfortunately, viewer ship dwindled steadily, despite excellent stories and equally fine acting, which are clearly demonstrated in each boxed set of remastered DVD episodes from MPI Home Video.
The Beginning Set 1, reflecting the first 35 episodes of the series, introduced the characters and eerie atmosphere created by innovative sets and unforgettable original music that was the hallmark of the show for its five-year run; and The Beginning Set 2, which collected the next 35 episodes, built on that foundation by further developing the main characters and adding some new ones.
But, with The Beginning Set 3 the story gets more intense and leads up to the show's first and second ghosts, both harbingers of bigger and better things to come. Even before those crucial events, the supernatural begins to assert itself when a "real" crystal ball is given to young David Collins. Immediately, he begins to "see" things.
In this boxed set, the drowning death of Collins Plant Manager Bill Malloy is highlighted and becomes darker. In fact, it is his ghost that debut's as the first-ever depicted on the show, when his seaweed drenched corpse warns a terrified Victoria Winters to leave Collinwood or die.
Several episodes later, the young David Collins goes at night to the rundown and ramshackle family mansion, the Old House, where he looks up into the portrait of his great-great-great grandmother Josette Collins, the Lady in White. He implores her spirit to come to him as she frequently does when he needs help. Interrupted by caretaker Matthew Morgan, they leave the darkened drawing room together. Slowly, the portrait begins to shine and the music build. Then, a ghostly white figure appears to step down from the portrait and meander through the house and grounds.
Actress Kathryn Leigh Scott, who portrayed waitress Maggie Evans, was the ghost, saying she was the only actress on set who fit the clothing for Josette and who had a likeness to the portrait.
In addition to all of that, Burke Devlin (played brilliantly by Mitchell Ryan) declares an all-out war against the Collins family, promising to take everything they own, including the fishing fleet, cannery - and the ancestral family home: Collinwood!
Also of great interest in this boxed set are exterior shots, a rarity even today on soap operas. Shots included are of the Great House, the Old House, Widows Hill, Lookout Point and the beach below, Collinsport, the Collins Enterprises and Cannery, the Police Station, the Collinsport Inn, the Blue Whale, and the Evans' Cottage.
Show creators chose Seaview Terrace to represent the exterior of the Collinwood mansion. Located in the picturesque coastal town of Newport, RI, its imposing façade faced out to the edge of the Atlantic, just as writer Art Wallace had described in the original outline for the series. The privately owned house was patterned after a French Chateau, and was converted into student dormitories during the 1950's. It is currently leased by the Salve Reginia University, providing accommodation and classrooms.
Located near the mansion is the Cliff Walk and beach seen in several episodes, including the area where Victoria Winters discovered an incriminating pen that plays a pivotal role in this boxed set.
Also located in Newport, a little further down the coast is the Black Pearl Restaurant, the exterior of which was used as the Blue Whale. It still exists today, though renovations have changed the view commonly seen on the show.
Essex, Connecticut, was used for the town of Collinsport, Maine, including the Collinsport Wharf, Collinsport Enterprises, Main Street and the Evans Cottage. The exteriors of Essex's Griswold Inn was used for the Collinsport Inn and the town Post Office was used for the town Police Station.
Special features in this boxed set include: New Interviews with actors Alexandra Moltke (Victoria Winters), Mitchell Ryan (Burke Devlin), and Conrad Fowkes (Frank Garner.)
These early episodes occurred prior to the arrival of the vampire, Barnabas Collins, played by the gifted Jonathan Frid. Once Frid joined the cast, the show skyrocketed to iconic status. Many fans who began watching once Barnabas became a fixture on the show, never saw these early episodes, so it's wonderful to have them finally available on DVD, to see how it all began!

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Dark Shadows: The Beginning, Collection 1 Review

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(More customer reviews)Dark Shadows-Beginning/Episodes 1-35Old and new fans of the beloved Dark Shadows will finally be able to watch how it all began as MPI Home Video rolls out the first DVD Boxed Set of six of the series' very first episodes. This first DVD boxed set includes the first 35 episodes of the series.
Special features include the original commericals from the first episode, and an interview with Alexandra Moltke Isles, who played Victoria Winters, and an original Dark Shadows promo.
Creator, the late Dan Curtis, literally dreamed the series. He dreamed about a young governess riding on a train en route to a dark, strange and brooding estate. Talking over his dream with his wife and family, Curtis decided to turn it into an incredible soap opera, and the rest is history.
Dark Shadows ran on ABC from 1966 to 1971 and enjoined an iconic fan following similar to Star Trek and Batman, which also both premeired in 1966. Dark Shadows fans continue to hold annual conventions, and many of the actors have formed real and enduring friendships with the fans they've seen each year.
On this DVD boxed set, the Collins Family of Collinsport, Maine, are introduced: Matriarch Elizabeth Collins Stoddard (portrayed by the legendary screen actress Joan Bennett), who hasn't left her family's great estate, Collinwood, in 18 years because of an enormoust secret; her brother, Roger Collins (played by the fantastic Louis Edmonds), who is vain, a snob and, like his sister, hiding a huge secret; Elizabeth's daughter, Carolyn Stoddard (played wonderfully by Nancy Barrett), who is full of 1960s teen angst; Governess Victoria Winters (played by the aforementioned Alexandra Moltke Isles), a young woman who grew up in a New York foundly home and was unexpectedly and mysteriously offered her post as governess; and Roger's son David Collins (played by David Henesey), who is BEYOND troubled.
Those who live in Collinsport are also introduced in this boxed set: Collinsport Inn Waitress Maggie Evans (played by Kathryn Leigh Scott), who is Vicki's best friend; her artist father and troubled alcoholic, Sam Evans, (played by Mark Allen for seven episodes then the rest of the series by David Ford); successful businessman and Collins Family nemesis Burke Devlin (played to the hilt by Mitch Ryan), who was wrongly convicted to manslaughter and blames Roger Collins; and Collins Plant Manager Bill Malloy (played by Frank Schofield).
The series began as a gothic romance, which this first boxed set portends. But, ratings were poor and the series faced cancellation after only about six months. Dan Curtis has said that he was forced to do something drastic to try and save the show, and drastic he did: he made the series revolve around the supernatural, so he introduced a ghost.
Mr. Curtis said that every time he introduced another supernatural element he was surprized to find that ratings increased markedly, so he decided that he had nothing to lose, since the series was still facing cancellation, and went all the way --- throwing a vampire into the mix in 1967!
The vampire, Barnabas Collins, was played to perfection by classically trained actor Jonathan Frid. The vampire was only to have been a temporary character that would be killed off following a reign of utter terror, but Frid's compelling characterization of a "sensative" and remorseful Barnabas was a revelation. Ratings soared, the series was saved, and Frid became an international superstar virtually overnight.
While casual viewers are very familiar with Barnabas, many are unaware that there were wonderful episodes that preceded him. It is truly incredible to be able to watch the progression of the series in these early episodes.
The gothic elements depicted in the episodes in this boxed set remain very entertaining, long before the supernatural plots began.
The core brilliance of what has made this daytime series endure for more than 40 years (and be the only daytime drama to be released on VHS and DVD) is the real emotions and life themes it dealt with: Love, death, fear, longing, revenge, obsession, lies, secrets, loyalty and betrayal.
What made it unique among all daytime dramas is that those themes were played out against a compelling backdrop of Gothic sensibilities that eventually included the 175-year-old guilt-ridden and love-lorn vampire, seances, time travel, ghosts, mystery, murder, intrigue and a constant dose of the unexpected.
This "soap opera" managed to transcend its genre by bringing a taste of Gothic horror and science-fiction fantasy to the hum-drum world of the afternoon drama.
But, it was the stellar repertoire cast that made it all work, because they played it straight, and gave some of the most incredible performances ever captured in daytime, and did so under the pressure of the series being virtually produced live!
The series has too many memorable moments to mention. For me, I still remember the beginning voiceover by Alexandra Moltke Isles of the very first episode, released on this set for the first time on DVD:
"My name is Victoria Winters. My journey is just beginning. A journey that I hope will open the doors of life to me, and link my past with my future ... A journey that will bring me to a strange and dark place, to the edge of the sea, high atop Widow's Hill to a place called Collinwood ... A world I've never known, with people I've never met. People who are still only shadows in my mind, but who will soon fill the days and nights of my tomorrows."


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