Ran into my friend Kevin while taking an afternoon stroll through Cannon Beach. He usually has a bit of offbeat news, or a pithy remark about some issue that’s haunting the body politic.
Says Kevin: “Did you hear? Jonathan Frid died today.”
“Who’s he?”
“He’s the actor who played the vampire Barnabas in ‘Dark Shadows.’ I was surprised because I thought he was already dead.”
The little tidbit conjured up early childhood memories of a gothic soap opera my Mom forbade me to watch (because it scared me so much). I can still recall the goosebumps I felt when I heard that theme music, and I’d try to sneak a few fascinated glimpses before she would make me turn off the TV.
Turns out Tim Burton has created a movie update of the old daytime drama that will be released in theaters in a few weeks, with Barnabas played by — who else? — Johnny Depp. The trailer looks tempting. I understand there’s even a cameo appearance by Frid (rest in peace, please).
Depp praised his predecessor’s work in a statement to the Los Angeles Times.
“Jonathan Frid was the reason I used to run home [from school] to watch ‘Dark Shadows.’ His elegance and grace was an inspiration then and will continue to remain one. When I had the honor to finally meet him … he was elegant and magical as I had always imagined.”
I can’t wait to see this movie. I’m a fan of all things Burton. BIG FISH is in my top 20 of all time, I wear as much Jack Skellington as I possibly can, and Depp has emerged as my favorite post-Boomer performer. Plus, I think Depp’s approach to the part looks odd and humorous. Let’s go see it!
Oh let’s! I haven’t been in front of a big screen in quite some time. This might be the perfect way to celebrate a supernatural local fusion of offbeat spirit and pop culture. (I also prefer Depp to Obama as a post-boomer performer.)
“Dark Shadows” is scheduled to open May 11. I called both the Seaside Cinemas and Astoria Gateway Cinemas. None of the nice people I spoke with knew whether the film will open at either location. Seaside said “corporate” may tell them by next Friday (April 27). Astoria said they won’t know until May 9.
I asked the nice people if it would make any difference if we organized a smart mob of local people to attend. (I’m thinking Jack Skellington designs plus random vintage 70s fashions.) They said corporate doesn’t care. Next time I’ll try using your name, if that’s O.K. with you. 🙂
Hey, I want to be in that group! My little sister watched that show so faithfully, summers in the 60’s. Wow, that brings back childhood! Please let me know when I can join you. It would be fun to dress up and all!
Gee, a movie built on the ruins of an ancient defunct tv show…that’s a refreshing concept. What will they think of next?.
Dude, if you’re not gonna join us, can I borrow your platform shoes? I wore mine once and then tossed them (one of the top 10,000 biggest mistakes I made during the 70s).
Your question is worthy of it’s own thread. Our resident Hollywood expert, RW Bonn, would be the best person to weigh in. But while mowing the grass today in the Oregon drizzle, I did give it some serious thought.
Them movie people have just about done everything, it seems, but there’s still one out there that nobody has been brave enough to touch. Now that he’s tackled “Dark Shadows,” methinks Tim Burton should take on an even bigger challenge and do a goth/emo version of Welcome Back, Kotter.
I mean, dang, the words “welcome back” are in the title!
Never had a pair of platform anythings–do recall seeing fops and dandys wearing them back in the 70s and thought they looked uncomfortable as hell as well as making people walk funny. I did see Dark Shadows Return or whatever its called. Generally boring and trite but it had it’s moments–certainly an interesting love scene and the story wasn’t that bad but the script just bottomed out sometimes…photography and FX were, of course, superb.
Your “fops and dandys” sent me on an interesting stroll. Thanks for glittering our discourse with some vintage language.
From what I’ve gleaned, the first dandies would have shunned 1970s platform shoes. The fops, on the other hand, were older residents of the fashion world who would have worn them as flamboyantly as KISS.
Here’s a wee clip that illustrates this historic rift between old-timers and newcomers over changes in fashion. Are the roots of such social rifts equally applicable to your belligerent division of “locals” and “Californians”?
Do you think Johnny Depp’s portrayal of Barnabas Collins is foppish, or dandified? Either way, Depp stands tall among Californians who contribute to our local entertainment.
I grew up fascinated with all of the old time horror movies (Vincent Price and Bela Lugosi were my favorites!) so I am more than likely one of the few people of my generation who watched Dark Shadows as a child and I loved everything about it! Though, I am somewhat skeptical about Burton’s adaptation as it is more of a parody.. either way, I plan on seeing it and hope that Mr.Burton pulls it off.
We’d be honored by your youthful presence J if you care to watch the movie in mass with us. Your comment provides the perfect opening for me to share another Tim Burton link. Enjoy!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hD8uQzu0IL0