Dark Shadows and Beyond: The Jonathan Frid Story

This is not only a great piece of history, but is beautifully put together. I have recently introduced my husband to the series. A big shout out to EVERYONE who contributed!!! I was in first grade when Dark Shadows went on the air. My siblings had little to no interest, but my mom would watch it with me when I got home from school. I loved DS from the start. When Cousin Barnabas Collins appeared on the scene, it became magical, and my very special time with my mom. I have only recently re-discovered DS. I have had a wonderful time sharing my "big secret" with my beloved husband of 35 years. I want to give a huge shout out to Kathryn Leigh Scott for all of her work with Dark Shadows. (And ALL the other cast members who contributed) Thank you for keeping an amazing "Soap Opera" alive. It is the only one I ever watched!!!

Jonathan was far more than simply a an extremely handsome, mysterious gentleman. Oh no. This is a gross understatement. He was well read, classy, and had immense respect for other human beings, even when it seemed controversial. He had weaknesses which he used as learning tools. He was humble, he mastered self control and piety. He was and always will be a role model for these reasons. This is also what made him so beguilingly handsome. The immensely classy, intelligent gentleman who preferred to avoid romance. He wasnt caught with a new woman every week or so. He lead his life to the fullest, his life was filled with greater, more constructive activities. To imagine a man who could resist the temptations that it seemed no others could is very close to a super power. This helped to make him extremely charismatic. I remember being one of many who watched him in my youth. My parents feared I was too obsessed with vampires. In reality, Jonathan taught me to value education - especially the art of the word - both written and spoken. He taught me to follow a certain moral code, not giving into every whim and trend. He is the kind who truly exemplifies performing in all its forms as an art. I am so very grateful that I had the opportunity to have had this man part of my life. He was and is a measure of human potential and what can be done with it when one chooses to put effort into the right things. He is a soul who deserves to be preserved. Let the role model live on and continue to teach all. Professor Frid, the teacher of life.

This is a superior effort of the life of a well-loved Shakesperian actor whose travails in life enabled him to portray Daytime TV's first sympathetic 175 year old vampire. Jonathan was able to create such resonance in playing a good soul who was cursed in life to do horrible things as a vampire-yet he regretted every moment of it. The time he spent in DS spotlighted his acting talents in developing his own particular brand to the role-and the first scene of this bio-Barnabas walking through Modern Day Collinwood (1967) for the first time-is worth seeing again, even in black and white.But more importantly, this extremely well-researched bio ( I couldn't get over live footage of his appearance at the Nixon White House for Halloween in 1969, as Tricia Nixon was a big fan) describes his family-relatives, parents, his upbringing in Hamilton, Ontario-and the fans themselves who were interviewed (Helen Samaras, Billy McKinley, Nancy Kersey, and of course Mary to name a few) who lend another dimension. One hour and 42 minutes is too short. I would have sat through it for more.As somebody who was fortunate enough to have been in the audience at Jonathan's NYC apt in the 1980's when he did his Fools and Fiends Readings, and who met and spoke with him, I can definitely recommend this foray into his life with rare footage, including some never seen to the public before. The interviews with Dick Cavett, Marion Lorne, Anthony Zerbe, David Selby, KLS, and Lara Parker as well as Marie Wallace are treats. Rent and/or buy-it's a hit in my book!Tom Diamon, co-host-Literary License Podcast DS Retrospective

Thank you Mary O'Leary, Jim Pierson, and all the rest who contributed to this wonderful documentary about Jonathan Frid. I must say I had to watch the beginning segment several times. The music and the clips of him as Barnabas Collins were so perfectly presented. I have been a fan of "Dark Shadows" since it began in 1966, when I was a teenager. Casting Mr. Frid as a 175-year-old vampire was pure genius. He was like nothing on TV then, or after. But as this documentary shows, he was much more than Barnabas. He comes across as many things: elegant, witty, kind, funny and modest to a fault. I had the good luck to catch one of his one-man shows at Hofstra University on Long Island, NY in 1998. To say he was captivating and riveting does not even cover it. Of course I could not leave without meeting him after the show. He was as charming (and handsome) as I ever imagined he would be. He was a very private person. Was he gay? Does it matter? 50 years after "Dark Shadows" ended in 1971, we are still interested in him and his work. I think the wide range of friends, co-workers and family who have nothing but good things to say about him speaks for itself.

Decent bio on Jonathan Frid and his many dedicated fans. Lots about his pre-Dark Shadows and post-Dark Shadows career. Lots of interviews with other DS actors as well. For true total career Frid fans is likely a treat.

This was a very interesting Biography of sorts...It includes interviews with many people such as his work mates at Dark Shadows, but also personal friends from the world of Theatre as well as family members. Jonathan Frid turns out the be every bit of interesting and layered a personality, as was Barnabas Collins. He was a unique human being and even more talented and creative than I imagined.I also purchased the book about Running Home to Dark Shadows, and gave it to my husband for Christmas. He hasn't read it yet, but thinks it looks really good. We both used to run home to view the show, and it appears that is what the book is a collection of...people's recollections about that time in their lives.

This is an amazing documentary on the life of Jonathan Frid. I would put it as a proper sequel to the Dan Curtis "Master of Shadows" documentary that was released two years ago. There is a plethora of information on Frid's life and career....a definite must have for the Dark Shadows fan!!!

Nothing to Dislike about This Video. Great Biography.