'Dark Shadows' cast members appearing at convention: (l.-r.) David Selby, Lara Parker, Jonathan Frid (shown below as vampire Barnabas), Kathryn Leigh Scott, John Karlen & Marie Wallace.
Make that old-school vampire lovers, because each generation seems to fall for its own undead superstars.
Generation Next has "Twilight's" Edward and Carlisle; the '90s had Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt in the movie version of Anne Rice's 1976 book, "Interview with the Vampire."
Bela Lugosi's 1925 Broadway and subsequent hit movie role in "Dracula," the 1922 silent flick "Nosferatu" and, of course, Bram Stoker's 1895 novel "Dracula" - on which most of the following is based - were all huge hits in their time.
The baby boomer generation to which I belong rushed home after school and hunkered down in front of our black and white television sets to watch as our favorite vampire laid waste to the residents of Collinsport, Maine.
Barnabas Collins and the host of vampires, witches, werewolves and other undead creatures in the "Dark Shadows" television show dominated the afternoon airways for most of the show's five-year (1966-1971) run - okay, four of the five: Barnabas was introduced in the second season.
"Dark Shadows" is considered one of the 20 most popular television series of all time. Director Tim Burton and actor Johnny Depp are currently making a movie based on the show in which several original cast members are rumored to make cameo appearances.
Starting Friday, several cast members - including Jonathan Frid (aka Barnabas), David Selby (Quentin), Kathryn Leigh Scott (Maggie/Josette), Lara Parker (Angelique), Jerry Lacy (the Rev. Trask), Kathleen Cody (Hallie Stokes), Marie Wallace (Eve), Donna Wandrey (Roxanne Drew), Sharon Smith (Sarah Collins) and Bobbi Ann Woronko (Miss Pritchett) will take up daytime residence at the Brooklyn Bridge Marriott for the Dark Shadows 45th Anniversary Cast Reunion and Fan Convention.
The event runs through Sunday. Admission is $30 for the weekend or $15 today, $20 tomorrow and $15 on Sunday.
Frid will be there only tomorrow and Sunday. The event includes an $80-per-person banquet on Sunday.
Have no doubt: Fans, like my Daily News colleague Maxine Simpson, will be there.
"I would go into Manhattan [the show was shot at ABC studios at 422 W. 53rd St.] with friends from high school and we would wait, along with other fans, for the cast to exit the theater," Simpson said. "They would come out and talk with us, pose for photos and sign our autograph books."
Simpson remembers Frid saying goodbye to her and her girlfriends as they headed for the subway.
Scott, who played Maggie and Josette - most cast members played several characters - said there are several reasons the show continues to hold on to its loyal fans and attract new ones.
Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/brooklyn/2011/08/19/2011-08-19_still_casting_big_shadows.html#ixzz1Veu7ju7j
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