Dark Shadows - The Best Of Barnabas

Barnabas Collins becomes a more menacing vampire in "Dark Shadows - The Best of Barnabas," featuring nine episodes of the cult fan favorite that ran from 1967 to 1971. This DVD is really just a tease for casual fans into buying the complete series, which is being released simultaneously, as well as garnering interest for the movie remake hitting theaters in May 2012.

These 20-minute episodes are still enjoyable, even if there are flubs galore. Barnabas (Jonathan Frid) makes one of his first appearances in episode 221 seen here, as Maggie Evans (Kathryn Leigh Scott) meets the vampire at the Collinsport Inn. Parallel time is a recurring theme in the gothic soap opera, and on this DVD, five of the nine episodes feature time travel back to the 1700's and 1800's. In episodes 703 and 718, the only two to form a complete story on the DVD, Barnabas mysteriously travels back to 1897 and attempts to terrorize the Collins family, including heartthrob Quentin Collins (David Selby). Young David Collins (David Henesy) is featured in many episodes as well, proving that there was another talented actor on the show. Episode 982 features Henesy and Frid pitted against one another.

Each episode has the option of watching with an introduction by actress Lara Parker, who played witch Angelique.

"Dark Shadows - The Best of Barnabas"
DVD
$13.99
www.mpihomevideo.com