Dark Shadows: The Beginning Collection 2 (1966)

With its alluring tales of Gothic mystery and supernatural intrigue, DARK SHADOWS became one of the most popular daytime series of all time. Since first airing on ABC-TV from 1966-71, DARK SHADOWS has earned the reputation as being one of the most unusual and enduring programs in broadcasting history. The character of Barnabas Collins, a guilt-ridden, 175-year-old vampire, brought the show tremendous success.

Now, for the first time on DVD, MPI presents the spooky series' rare, early episodes before the arrival of Barnabas.

Collinwood's surly caretaker Mathew Morgan informs Victoria Winters that he believes the ghost of Josette Collins and other spirits inhabit the estate. In an attempt to settle the controversy surrounding the manslaughter case that sent Burke Devlin to prison, Collins Fishing Fleet Manager Bill Malloy sets up a private meeting for himself, Roger Collins, Same Evans and Burke.

Elizabeth Collins Stoddard confides to Victoria some of the legends involving Collinwood and Widow s Hill. Carolyn Stoddard and Victoria spot a body floating at the bottom of the cliff and Victoria soon experiences a strange premonition. After Malloy mysteriously disappears, Roger nervously bribes Sam to leave town. A ghost emerges from the Old House on the Collins family property. Product Description

There was Death Before Barnabas

Prior to viewing "Dark Shadows: The Beginning," Collections 1 & 2 (so far), my knowledge of the storyline of the show before Barnabas sank his fangs into Collinsport was limited to the introductory segment of DVD Collection 1. Seeing these REALLY early episodes has been campy, spooky fun. Each has the little chalkboard at the beginning and the annoucer reading the epsidode number, date it was videotaped and the airdate. Way cool. Roger Collins is actually sinister, Elizabeth Stoddard more eccentric, Victoria Winters even more innocent, David even more disturbed, Burke Devlin is the only one out for blood (!), and Maggie Evans evolves from the brash waitress with the frosted 1960's wig to the doe-eyed innocent who is destined for doom down the line as Barnabas' bride. Definitely a guilty pleasure for Dark Shadows fans who came on board post-Barnabas; a must-have addition to collectors! November 11, 2008

reliving memories

I would recommend this DVD collection. I was 3 and a half when Dark Shadows premiered. I honestly don't remember Barnabas Collins, because I had entered school by the time he appeared. I do remember the earlier days. It's fun to recognize actors, music and backdrops. It's also fun to hear the announcements such as "Tune in to Bewitched tonight when Aunt Clara conjures up an extra child during her babysitting duties." There are nine episodes per disc. Each runs about 20 minutes. It's a solid mystery story line without the overblown sex of today's soap operas. The "imperfections" from a more live TV experience are refreshing to watch in our day of airbrushing and digital mastering. When I mention that I'm watching the series inevitabley friends say, "Can I borrow it?"

October 5, 2008

DS The Beginning Collection 2

I have enjoyed going back to see the beginning episodes. Such great acting by David Hennesy as the little boy, David Collins; so believably evil yet sweet and the character of Roger Collins plays off him so well. Such strong emotions of father and son hatred and love. Joan Bennett as Elizabeth Collins Stoddard is excellent. Very enjoyable, highly recommended. August 4, 2008

AWESOME

THIS ITEM WAS BROUGHT AS A GIFT FOR MY MOM AND SHE ABSOLUTELY LOVES THIS DVD BOX SET AND PLAN TO GET THE REST OF THE SET July 22, 2008

Back in Time

Though this second collection of pre-Barnabas episodes is more than a year away from the time traveling period of the soap, through it I have become transported back into time myself. At the end of a particularly frustating day with everything coming at me at unspeakable rates, I can come home, dim the lights, curl up on the couch with my remote and with a couple of clicks travel back to the year of my birth. Though I was a just a baby when the series first aired, I feel as if I watched it myself long ago because as I was growing up I heard so much about it from my mother and my older brother. They were addicted, and now I am too.
This collection, while sticking to classic slow revealing gothicism, seems to move along slightly faster than collection number 1. We have a murder, Vicki's continuing search for her roots, Carolyn's tormenting of "good ole Joe" with her infatuation with Burke, Roger's witty evil style, Sam Evan's self destructive drinking, etc. It's such fun. And David is awesome. He has a crystal ball from which he claims he gleans all kinds of nasty information that's right on the mark.
The collection is full of missed cues and line fumbling but this only makes it endearing. I love these Collinsport people. And, Oh yeah, the eerie happenings are already beginning here though many fans seem to discount much of the supernatural events preceeding Barnabas (aside from David's interaction with the ghost girl that comes much later than these episodes). The unseen crying ghost is at it a couple of times along with much talk of the ghosts of Collinwood and I actually got a chill down my spine when the Collins family album has it bookmark slide independently from its text to reveal the page on Josette Collins. April 8, 2008

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