Series Born Of A Dream

from The Deseret News, July 27, 1966

It's a well-established fact that Dan Curtis claimed that the idea for the show came from a dream and in this article he reiterates that point along with the supernatural elements which crept into the original elements of the gothic drama.

I didn't know that the show used the theremin for some of the sound effects and music though it certainly makes sense. Is that what Cobert used for the soundtrack too?

'Dark Shadows' Provides Springboard For Actoors

from The Kentucky New Era, March 16, 1970

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I think it's safe to say that of the core group of DS alumni none went on to super stardom after the show was cancelled though most did receive steady character actor work on television and the stage. Other than Joan Bennett's earlier success in Hollywood only Kate Jackson became a Hollywood star but having only appeared in 70 episodes she could hardly be considered a main cog of the show's success. Then again, the show probably would have lost some of its luster if Frid and Selby would have been in a bunch of Hollywood schlock. Anyhow, this is an article on David Selby and Roger Davis and work they were doing outside of DS at the time of the printing and being that it is a Kentucky newspaper and Davis was a native son it focuses mainly on him with some additional biographical information.

"Barnabas" Is A Bloody Matinee Idol Now

from The Titusville Herald, July 1, 1968

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This is another run-of-the-mill one-off Barnabas pieces which mentions him being a gentlemanly classical Yale stage actor bachelor who makes the women go wild type of article. Not that I mind considering that the fan mail quotes that get mentioned are always hilariously sad. I think I'll start listing them as I post the articles.

"There is no escape from the burning light you create. In simple words, you could bite ME anytime, for I would not be able to resist your fatal charms!"  -- a Carmichael, CA woman

"He gets me so excited, I could smoke a pack of cigarettes just watching him. I just sit there drooling over you."  -- a 15 year old New York girl

Director Says; Women Can Handle Even A Vampire

from The Free Lance-Star, March 18, 1969

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I won't pretend to know much about Swift other than seeing her name slapped across the screen of the closing credits as both producer and director of DS though one thing is for sure: she might not have become the cooking show director that she was destined to be by decree of the guild but she sure knew how to cook up a pot-boiler of supernatural proportions in the "soap opera" world. 

Miss American Vampire

In 1970, in advance of the release of the new DS movie House of Dark Shadows, the producers of the film, MGM and Dan Curtis, furthered the pre-hyped festivities with a beauty contest. That is, a contest to find a Miss Vampire America.

Girls 18-25 were invited to produce the most imaginative "Vampire look" with original- ity, charm, poise, stage presence and videogenic qualities being highly important. The last two parts being essential since the winner was to have a week-long role on the television show.

The winner was to be coached by star Nancy Barrett and also receive a week of all-expenses paid accommodations for two in New York City, presumably during the guest appearance on the serial. I say "was to be coached" because apparently the winner, Sacheen Littlefeather (aka Maria Cruz), never did appear on the show, although a runner-up, Christine Domaniecki, apparently did.

As is the case with traditional beauty pageants there were regional contests and finally a main event in California. It was hosted by none other than Regis Philbin. Yep, he's that old! Regional winners included Barbara Marciel, Miami, Diane Kirby, Cleveland, Nina Johns, St. Louis, Signe Vernon and Beverly Rose.

from The Milwaukee Journal, March 29, 1973

Miss Littlefeather, an aspiring actress, had a few minor film credits, posed for Playboy in 1973 and is most notorious for her part in refusing Marlon Brando's Oscar award in 1972 on behalf of the suffering of American Indians. Brando had met Littlefeather through a neighbor in San Francisco and recruited her to decline the award in his stead and give a short speech concerning the Native Indian plight. The act was not looked upon kindly by anybody in the industry and it killed any chance that Littlefeather had as a mainstream actress. As you can see in the caption below Roger Moore and Liv Ullman look none too thrilled with her or Brando's cause.

Littlefeather went on to a noted career in Indian activism producing documentaries and working with various groups in promoting Native American civil rights.

from The Age, March 29, 1973

Below is a photo from one of the regional contests featured on Tenebrous Kate's blog. There are a few more featured in her blog post as well including one of Jonathan Frid crowning Miss Domaniecki at the regional contest in Palisades Park, New Jersey.