Dark Shadows DVD Collection 11 (1966)

The truly dreadful storyline involving Adam (similar to Frankenstein's creature) who was played by Robert Rodan is thankfully almost over. This story almost sank Dark Shadows when it first aired about 40 years ago, causing viewers to tune out in droves, and I fear that it may have done the same to many of those viewing the series for the first time via DVD. But please rest assured, we HAVE hit rock bottom. The plot only gets better and better as Dark Shadows embarks on some of its best storytelling and acting of the entire series.

The 40 episodes collected here not only pretty much close the aforementioned awful story arc, but also restores everyone's favorite reluctant 175-year-old vampire, Barnabas Collins (played to perfection by Jonathan Frid), to his former glory. It also introduces the mysterious Quentin Collins (portrayed by David Selby) in a Turn-of-the-Screw type plot that is facinating as well as frightening. Child actors David Henesy, who played David Collins, and Denise Nickerson, who played Amy Jennings, are terrific and spooky as the children controlled by Quentin's malevolent spirit.

Sadly, this set also marks the departure of Alexandra Moltke who portrayed Collinwood governess Victoria Winters and whose character had been the lynchpin of the series. Moltke's departure left a permanent void in the show. It was her voice viewers first heard when the show debuted in 1966. In the first episode, Moltke, as the innocent but compelling governess, was traveling by train to Collinsport, Maine. The scene opens with a now historic audio prelude that began,"My name is Victoria Winters." The use of an audio prelude performed by a cast member continued throughout the entire series. Kathryn Leigh Scott, who played Maggie Evans, eventually became the Collins' family governess.

Other cast members including Joe Haskel and Jeff Clark/Peter Bradford (portrayed by Joel Crothers and Roger Davis respectively)also leave the series. (Davis would return for a short stint later playing a different character.)

This collection of episodes also interjects a werewolf for the first time to the deadly perils of life in Collinsport, a creature that would remain a staple with the series almost as long as vampires and evil curses.

If you've stuck with this terrific show through the forgettable Adam story line, you owe it to yourself to view these episodes before judging this remarkable series too harshly. It remains one of the truly great, groundbreaking TV shows of all time.

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Eventually the plot segues into a new story about Chris Jennings who comes to town looking for his little sister. When the moon is full, Chris transforms into "an animal that walks like a man."
When we first hear the growls coming from the animal from behind a door, our interest grows even more. As we watch, we wonder what is this curious sound coming from inside the room?

As this DVD shows, the audience for Dark Shadows had plenty of reason to keep coming back in ever increasing numbers. The show continued to grow in popularity even to the extent of the beginnings of Dark Shadows merchandising. The first bublegum cards, books, posters, and other items got introduced at this time. Dark Shadows was a hot property on ABC, and 1968 was one of its best years ever. In terms of ratings, only the storyline to follow in 1969 was hotter.

If you like Dark Shadows, you'll want to continue watching to see how the story from the last DVD set plays out. We don't like him, but what becomes of the violent and heartbroken Adam? Where does Angelique end up? Does she make Barnabas a vampire again, or does he stay as her slave? Can Julia and Willie rescue Barnabas? Does Nicholas succeed in creating a whole race of beings like Adam and Eve? And what does he do with Maggie Evans? What about Maggie and Joe? Will they get reconciled? Will Victoria reconcile with Peter Bradford? And finally, what happens when the new terror strikes when the full moon rises?

All of those questions and many more can be answered by watching this excellent story on Dark Shadows DVD Set 11. You will enjoy it!

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