8 replies to this topic

[Captain Kundalini]

It is with great sadness that I report the passing of legendary actor Jonathan Frid who originated the role of the 200 year old Vampire, Barnabas Collins in the TV series, "Dark Shadows".
He passed away on Friday, April 13th, my birthday, at the age of 87 in his native Ontario.
He had a cameo role in the new film version of "Dark Shadows" with Johnny Depp (Bleh!)
I had the distinct pleasure of meeting him when he came to Dallas for a Promotional Tour in October of 1982.



Rest in peace, Mr. Frid and thank you.

[Captain Kundalini]

Dick Clark, Jonathan Frid and Levon Helm all in one week.
It's funny how we all look at Mortality, especially when Celebrities are concerned.
For one reason or another they somehow come to mean something to us through their Art and thus we think that they will always be around.
Jonathan Frid, the original Barnabas Collins from "Dark Shadows", was 87 years old when he passed at his home in his native Ontario, so it shouldn't have been a big surprise to me when I read the news, but it was.
It is inevitable that in the words of George Harrison, "All Things Must Pass". And in regard to those who grace the stage or screen, it is even better told in the words of William Shakespeare:

"Our revels now are ended. These our actors,
As I foretold you, were all spirits and
Are melted into air, into thin air:
And, like the baseless fabric of this vision,
The cloud-capp'd towers, the gorgeous palaces,
The solemn temples, the great globe itself,
Yea, all which it inherit, shall dissolve
And, like this insubstantial pageant faded,
Leave not a rack behind. We are such stuff
As dreams are made on, and our little life
Is rounded with a sleep."

Edited by Captain Kundalini, 20 April 2012 - 09:07 AM.

[Vlawde]

I remember watching Dark Shadows after I got home from elementry school.
Tim Burton is making a movie with Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter?. What are the odds?

All his movies are basically the same movie....

Edited by Vlawde, 20 April 2012 - 02:19 PM.

[Captain Kundalini]

Vlawde, on 20 April 2012 - 02:18 PM, said:

I remember watching Dark Shadows after I got home from elementry school.
Tim Burton is making a movie with Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter?. What are the odds?

All his movies are basically the same movie....

Johnny Depp has about as much talent as a Gnat.

[Crunchbird]

I remember hurrying home from school to catch "Dark Shadows", the only "soap opera" I've ever watched. I haven't seen any of the remakes with new people. just seems to me that if the original was good then it's going to be a very tough act to follow.

[moiraesfate]

I'll be honest. Everyone has been talking about it so I decided to go watch Dark Shadows. The original soap opera from tv. Talk about boring.

[Crunchbird]

Whatever.....

[Captain Kundalini]

moiraesfate, on 26 April 2012 - 07:00 PM, said:

I'll be honest. Everyone has been talking about it so I decided to go watch Dark Shadows. The original soap opera from tv. Talk about boring.

I think what you want to see is the 1991 version of "Dark Shadows" with Ben Cross and Joanna Going. It's available on DVD and you can also watch the Pilot version
on You Tube here.

It is, in my opinion, much better in every way.

[moiraesfate]

Oh yes. I watched that back in the 90's. Pity it lasted 12 episodes.