Being raised by a single parent of three children, I didn’t watch Sesame Street. Instead, I watched soap operas because our babysitter insisted, “they were more entertaining.” Dark Shadows was one of her favorites and mine, too.
Dark Shadows was an unlikely daytime hit TV show. It even became a cultural touchstone for generations of viewers as the only gothic soap opera. Some say it still casts spells on new and old fans.
Jonathan Frid, who played the tormented vampire Barnabas Collins, is profiled in a biographical film, Dark Shadows and Beyond – The Jonathan Frid Story. The documentary is currently streaming on digital platforms and is available on DVD and Blu-ray.
The documentary shines a positive light on Jonathan Frid, which is refreshing compared to other documentaries of late. The 102-minute movie covers the Canadian-born star’s fascinating life and career as a Shakespearean actor — on stage with Katharine Hepburn and poignant advice from Sir Laurence Olivier.
If you are looking for a scandalous past or real skeleton in Frid’s closet, you’ll find none of that in this detailed story of the man beneath the vampire’s cloak. The documentary explores his personal and professional struggles, artistic triumphs and rises to fame shared through personal letters to his mother read by fellow soap star Ian Buchanan.
We also hear from Frid’s friends, family and colleagues, who offer a fresh view of the soap opera legend. We hear from veteran talk show host and Yale Drama School classmate David Cavett, actresses Marion Ross and Christine Pickles. Even the co-stars of Dark Shadows share a positive portrait, including David Selby, Lara Parker, Marie Wallace, Nancy Barrett, James Strom, and Kathryn Leigh Scott.
Frid’s story is about a dedicated actor who is passionate about his craft. He was well-liked by many, mentioning his generosity and kindness.
In archival interviews, Frid found the Barnabas role fulfilling because of time shifts in the storyline. He jumped back in time before he was a vampire, which showed the complexities of the character most soaps could never fathom. It was as if he was playing a dozen roles. Despite the circumstances Barnabas encountered, Frid knew being a vampire meant he was never just a vampire. He was a tragic character who felt deep emotions — including guilt. Intricacies only an actor with well-refined acting skills would perceive or understand, resulting in a sensational character and an enormous fan base.
The DVD or Blu-ray comes with rare performance footage, such as archival material from Frid’s private collections, which are gems. Also included is a PBS TV discussion with Frid, promotional pieces with the actor, Frid reading an excerpt of Washington Irving’s classic tale The Legend of Sleepy Hollow and The Best of Barnabas, a compilation video.
As producer Mary O’Leary says, “Jonathan’s years on Dark Shadows have been well covered in print interviews. To gain insight, I chose to interview people who were close to him, ranging from his years at Yale to his work in regional theater to those involved in his one-man shows, which he toured across the country in his later years.”
Any fan of Dark Shadows will appreciate this well-thought-out documentary of a professional actor. He hit his mark on a unique and yet dissimilar soap opera on American TV.
Thank you HiTechGlitz.com for the additional information.