Portrayed by: Jonathan Frid
TV series: Dark Shadows (1967-71; Barnabas didn't appear in the 1966 episodes)
Occupation: Independently wealthy vampire, though he claimed to be a businessman.
Lifestyle: Slept in a coffin by day, sucked blood by night--when not pursuing Maggie Evans and, later, Victoria Winters. Lived in the Old House on the Collinwood estate in Collinsport, Maine. His reluctant manservant was Willie Loomis.
How He Became a Vampire: Unsure that his beloved Josette returned his affections, Barnabas had a one-night tryst with her maid Angelique. He later spurned Angelique, who used witchcraft to bring unhappiness to Barnabas and Josette. When he found out what Angelique did, Barnabas shot her--but not before she cursed him to an existence as one of the undead.
Family and Friends: He was born in 1760 to Joshua and Naomi Collins. Had a younger sister, Sarah, who died of pneumonia; her ghost later roamed Collinwood. Was close to his Uncle Jeremiah and Aunt Abigail. Had many cousins! In the contemporary storyline, he developed a close relationship with Dr. Julia Hoffman (though he didn't reciprocate her romantic feelings).
Trademarks: A cane with a silver wolf's head; a black onyx signet ring; fangs.
Useful Skills: The usual vampire things.
Classic quote: "I didn't say she was dead. I said I killed her."
Rick, I remember coming home from grade school to watch "Dark Shadows" with my siblings. When my father came home from work, he would ask us how Barnabus was doing that day. Though I didn't realize it at the time, the show was taped live each day. Seeing the show years later I could see flaws that I hadn't recognized then due to the challenges of doing live television. Barnabus was the pivotal force of the series. Jonathan Frid made him come to life. He passed away last month (April 2012). It was a great idea to include a daytime TV character (who could only come out at night!) on your 15 great TV characters list of the 1960s.
ReplyDeleteToto, Jonathan Frid was wonderful as Barnabas. At the height of his fame, he was receiving buckets of fan letters from female fans--making him one of the first daytime drama heartthrobs.
DeleteI remember this series being extremely popular with my schoolmates; we'd rush home to watch it. In spite of its morbid themes, it seemed really popular with teenagers and 'tweeners.' I remember the plot lines as confusing and the show seemed determined to use pale imitations of all the classic Universal monsters as grist for its mill: Not only was there a vampire, there was also a werewolf and a created monster. But it was great fun! There was also Joan Bennett as the Collingwood matriarch; she always seemed a little out of place on daytime tv.
ReplyDeleteGOM, when I was a youth, my sister and I were huge DS fans. When a local station dropped the series, it was picked up by a UHF affiliate. Our antenna couldn't pick up a UHF signal, so my sister and I saved up money until we could buy a new antenna.
DeleteI never watched Dark Shadows but have wanted to for a time. I had no idea Barnabas wasn't made a vampire by aother vampire's bite. Didn't know it was possible.
ReplyDeleteAurora
Aurora, it seems like folklore sometimes get tweaked for the sake of drama!
DeleteI never watched Dark Shadows, but I look forward to seeing Johnny Depp play Barnabas!
ReplyDeleteKim, I was bummed to see that Tim Burton went the camp route. I think he and Johnny could have made a very good a "serious" DARK SHADOWS.
DeleteHooray for Jonathan Frid! Another great Canadian actor we're proud of. I was crazy about "Dark Shadows" when I was a kid. Loved the atmosphere. I really liked the prime-time reboot back in the 90s. It was another of those shows that should have been given a better chance.
ReplyDeleteBarnabes Collins is one of my favorite TV characters. I loved Dark Shadows so much. I still miss it. I, too, liked the 90's reboot but I missed Jonathan Frid as Barnabus. He gave the vampire feelings and portrayed him not as cruel as Dracula. I had compassion and respect for Barnabus. A nice addition to your list Rick. I was so saddened that Jonathan Frid died. He was a nice man and a fine actor.
ReplyDeleteI raced home from school every day to watch Dark Shadows, and had a huge crush on Barnabas. He was a more compassionate vampire, which partially explains his attraction. The entire cast of DS was wonderful, and I fondly remember how much that series meant to me as a tween. When the SciFi Channel started rebroadcasting DS in the early 90's, I rewatched the almost the entire series with my own children, and everyone enjoyed it. It's appeal hadn't dimmed at all.
ReplyDeleteWhile the series was still being broadcast, Jonathan Frid was the guest celebrity at the local Home Show, and I met him and got his autograph. He was very gracious, although surrounded by a throng of young people who were gazing at him with adoring eyes. :-)