by David Selby
From 1966 to 1968, Sheriff George Patterson was played by Dana Elcar and three other actors: Vince O‘Brien, Alfred Sandor, and Angus Cairns. At the end of one episode, Vince O’Brien as the sheriff watched Willie come out of his coma, but when the same scene was repeated the next day, the Sheriff was again played by Dana Elcar.
In the fifth episode of Dark Shadows, Sam Evans, played by Mark Allen, met Victoria Winters on Widows’ Hill. After seven episodes, David Ford took over the role, when Burke tried to learn about the connection between Sam and Roger.
The day before the arrival of Jonathan Frid as Barnabas Collins, Timothy Gordon played the hand of Barnabas as it reached out from the coffin to choke Willie Loomis. During the next year, Peter Murphy and Alfred Dillay stood-in as Barnabas in brief appearances. Tim Gordon also played the hand of Barnabas when it threatened Trask in 1795.
Anthony George played Jeremiah Collins until the character died in 1795, after which the part of his ghost was shared by Timothy Gordon, as the body, and Addison Powell, who provided the voice of the ghost.
Richard Woods was the first actor to play Dr. Woodard, when he was called in to examine Willie Loomis. Later, Robert Gerringer played Dr. Dave Woodard, until an AFTRA strike led to Peter Turgeon taking over the role. Woodard’s ghost was played by Peter Murphy, and Peter Turgeon supplied the voice which terrified Julia Hoffman.
Dr. Julia Hoffman was played by Grayson Hall for nearly four years. Shortly after her arrival, Fran Anthony stood-in as Dr. Hoffman twice when she appeared in a dream to David.
“Grandmama” Edith Collins was played by Isabella Hoopes in 1897, and Natalie Norwich provided Edith’s hands which indicated the position of the will hidden in her coffin. Terry Crawford played Edith Collins in 1840.
The first victim of Barnabas Collins was Elaine Hyman as Ruby Tate. When the ghosts of his victims were summoned to line up in the cellar of the Old House, Ruby Tate was played by Natalie Norwich.
James Hall played Willie Loomis for four episodes. He was then replaced by John Karlen before Willie released Barnabas. After Willie was shot while trying to warn Maggie Evans, Dean Perchall played an obscured Willie lying in the hospital, groaning as he recovered from a coma.
During the seance that sent Victoria Winters back to 1795, her place in 1967 was taken by Phyllis Wick, played by Dorrie Kavanaugh. When Victoria returned from 1795, Margot Head played Phyllis Wick.
While Maggie Evans had days off in the Collinsport Inn Restaurant, the waitress there was played by Colleen Kelly and Carol Crist. Both girls were called “Susie.”
In 1897, Evan Hanley conducted a ceremony to call up the Devil. While he and Quentin Collins watched apprehensively, a figure appeared—but it was Gregory Trask, played by stand-in Marc Ashton. Otherwise, all the Trasks were played by Jerry Lacy.
Michael McGuire played the head of Judah Zachery, brought to Collinwood by Desmond Collins as a gift for Quentin. Norman Parker played the headless body, searching for its head. George DiCenzo also made two uncredited appearances as the body. The voice of the head was supplied by Keene Curtis.
Diana Millay was Laura Collins in all her different manifestations. Barbara Brownell was a stand-in as Laura when she returned in 1897 to greet Nora, and Sheila Ray supplied a scream by Laura in 1966.
From the beginning of Dark Shadows, Alexandra Moltke starred as Victoria Winters. After she left the show in 1968, Betsy Durkin took over the role, and Victoria was finally married to Jeff Clark, who was really Peter Bradford, her 1795 sweetheart. After she and Peter returned to 1795, Barnabas returned to save her from the gallows, and at that time Victoria was played by Carolyn Groves.
Dan Morgan, as the servant Riggs in 1795, guarded the door to Josette’s room. Later, when he and another servant carried out the body of Barnabas on orders from Joshua, the role was played by Timothy Gordon.
During the investigation of Laura in 1967, Lt. Dan Riley was played by John Connell, and later by Vince O’Brien, who later still played Sheriff Patterson.
Angélique was played by Lara Parker throughout Dark Shadows. When the ghost of Jeremiah carried her to his grave just before her marriage to Barnabas, Arlene Sand was an Angélique stand-in. Amber Brie appeared as an Alexis Stokes stand-in(also played by Lara Parker) when she was forced to replace her twin sister, Angélique, in her coffin, during the 1970 Parallel Time sequence. And Judith Lowry played Angélique as Cassandra’s aged hands in 1968.
Dennis Patrick was Paul Stoddard when he returned to Collinwood, only to be threatened by the Leviathans. Just before his return, Mart Aldre substituted as a stand-in. But back in 1967, when Dennis Patrick returned as Paul’s friend Jason McGuire to blackmail Elizabeth Stoddard, she recalled the events of 1949, in which Joel Fabiani played Paul Stoddard.
In 1970, Jeb Hawkes revived Sheriff Davenport, played by Ed Riley, as a zombie. As the victim was called up from its grave, its hand appeared, clutching at the air; the hand belonged to George DiCenzo.
While Dr. Eric Lang assembled the body that became Adam, the creature was played by Duane Morris. Robert Rodan became Adam shortly before he was brought to life.
Mitchell Ryan was Burke Devlin from the first episode but was replaced by Anthony George in 1967. Peter Murphy stood in as Burke when Vicki confronted him in a dream.
Kathryn Leigh Scott was Maggie Evans starting with the very first episode, and she also played the ghost of Josette duPrés beginning with its first appearance in 1966. Since that time, other actresses who substituted as the ghost were Rosemary McNamara, in 1796, Florence Stanley, in 1968, and Natalie Norwich in 1968 and 1969. Dorrie Kavanaugh substituted for Josette in the dream in which Naomi saw Josette embrace Jeremiah; Dorrie Kavanaugh also was a stand-in for Maggie Evans briefly while Bamabas tried to turn her into Josette in 1967. When Barnabas raised Josette from the dead in 1795, Sandy Mitchell played the ghost as she walked through the cemetery.
In 1897, David Selby was Quentin Collins; when he turned into the werewolf, he was played by Alex Stevens, stunt coordinator. Seen lurking outside the antique shop, Charles Rush stood in once for David Selby when Quentin Collins reappeared, briefly known as Grant Douglas.
The Leviathan leader, Jeb Hawkes, called up four dead men to help him against Barnabas Collins. The hand of Charles Rush rose out of a grave, representing Thomas Findley. In the next episode four zombies arose, and Thomas Findley was played by Jim Shannon.
Mrs. Johnson’s wayward son, Harry, was played by Craig Slocum, but in one episode Edward Marshall substituted for him.
During 1970 Parallel Time, a mysterious man appeared, looked for Roxanne. Alex Stevens played the man, whose face was not visible. In the next episode, his face revealed him to be the even more mysterious Claude North, then played by Brian Sturdivant.
After his arrival in Collinsport, Burke Devlin planned to take over Collins Enterprises. He offered four Collins employees, old friends from the cannery, good jobs and high pay to desert the Collinses. The fourth man, Ezra Ahearn, was played by John Servetnik. Later the character, now renamed Ezra Herne and played by Dolph Sweet, returned to Burke to tell him the men had turned down his offer.
Abe Vigoda was Ezra Braithwaite when Barnabas visited him in 1969 to learn about the pentagram he made long ago. In 1897, Edward Marshall played Ezra as a young man who had just made the pentagram.
Donna Wandrey played Roxanne Drew. In 1970, Roxanne as a vampire went to attack Maggie. Later, Liliane Sandor stood in as Roxanne when the children saw the vampire rise from its coffin, and when Julia and Willie went to the coffin to destroy the vampire.
CHARACTER REPLACEMENTS
Joel Crothers’ character of Joe Haskell replaced Mitch Ryan’s character of Burke Devlin in Episode 252. Ken McEwen’s character of Larry Chase replaced Don Briscoe’s character of Chris Collins in five episodes when Briscoe left the series. The character of James Blair, played by John Baragrey, replaced the character of Stuart Bronson, played by Barnard Hughes. Both characters served the same function, but Bron
son was written out when Barnard Hughes was no longer available.
CHARACTER RENAMINGS
Victoria Winters was originally named Sheila March in the series’ bible.
Jason McGuire was originally named Walt Cummings in the series’ bible.
Barnabas Collins was originally to be named Jeremiah Collins or Jered Collins.
Julia Hoffman was originally named Julius Hoffman, but was changed when the decision was made to hire an actress for the part.
Riggs, the Collins family servant in 1795, was originally to be named Briggs.
Noah Gifford was originally to be named Rex Butler.
Professor Stokes was originally refered to as Timothy Stokes and later, Eliot Stokes —eventually resulting in T.E. Stokes.
Amy Jennings was originally to be named Molly Jennings.
Chris Jennings was originally to be named Bob Jennings.
Diabolos was originally to be named Balberith.
Edward Collins was originally to be named Oscar Collins.
Sandor was originally to be named Zoltan.
Daphne Harridge was originally to be named Lavinia.
Valerie Collins (alias Angélique) was originally to be named Natasha.
Amy (Denise Nickerson) and Chris Jennings (Don Briscoe).
John Karlen; Joel Crothers; Anthony George; Roger Davis; David Henesy; Daniel Keyes; Timothy Gordon; Robert Rodan; Dennis Patrick
Kathy Cody; Clarice Blackburn; Alexandra Moltke; Lee Beery; Donna McKechnie; Nancy Barrett; Terry Crawford; Virginia Vestoff; Marie Wallace.
Jonathan Frid; Opposite: David Selby; Michael Stroka; Thayer David; Jerry Lacy; Louis Edmonds; Humbert Allen Astredo.
Dark Shadobus Storylines
VICTORIA’S ARRIVAL (EPISODES 1-6)
Victoria Winters comes to Collinwood to serve as governess to David Collins. She is an orphan and hopes to find clues to her identity. She finds a reclusive matriarch, Elizabeth Collins Stoddard; a disturbed child, David Collins; and a town full of mysterious and frightening legends.
THE REVENGE OF BURKE DEVLIN (EPISODES 1-201)
Despising the Collins’ power and influence, Burke Devlin returns to Collinsport after spending time in prison. He befriends Victoria, manipulates Carolyn Stoddard, Elizabeth’s daughter, and interrogates others to discover the truth about the accident which led to his conviction.
MATTHEW MORGAN KILLS BILL MALLOY AND KIDNAPS VICTORIA (EPISODES 46-126)
Collins fishing fleet manager Bill Malloy is killed by Collinwood caretaker Matthew Morgan after Matthew learns Malloy wants Roger Collins to confess to the car accident which sent Burke to prison. Matthew kidnaps Victoria when she discovers he was responsible for Malloy’s death. Victoria is saved by the ghost of Josette Collins who joins the ghost of Malloy in scaring Matthew to death.
LAURA THE PHOENIX (EPISODES 123-191)
Laura Collins, Roger’s wife and David’s mother, schemes to reclaim her son. Laura is a creature of the supernatural, an immortal Phoenix who almost succeeds in taking David with her as she is consumed by flames.
THE BLACKMAILING OF ELIZABETH (EPISODES 193-275)
Jason McGuire, a friend of Liz’s missing husband Paul Stoddard, returns to Collinwood. Victimized by his blackmail, Liz agrees to marry Jason, but at the last moment reveals the truth. Eighteen years before, Jason led her to believe she killed Paul and then allowed Jason to bury the body in the basement of Collinwood. An investigation uncovers no body; Paul did not die. Jason is killed after he enters the Old House to search for jewels.
THE INTRODUCTION OF BARNABAS (EPISODES 202-220)
Jason’s drifter friend Willie Loomis joins Jason as an unwelcome guest at Collinwood. Fascinated by the portrait of Barnabas Collins and the legend he was buried with his jewels, Willie opens the coffin of Barnabas and accidentally releases the 200-year-old vampire. Barnabas introduces himself at Collinwood as a descendant of the Barnabas in the portrait. With Liz’s permission, Barnabas moves into the Old House and begins its restoration.
THE KIDNAPPING OF MAGGIE (EPISODES 221-261)
Barnabas meets waitress Maggie Evans and is struck by her close resemblance to Josette, his love in the distant past. He abducts Maggie and attempts to recreate her as Josette so she may join him as his eternal vampire bride. With the help of a mysterious child, Maggie escapes and is confined at Windcliff Sanitarium.
THE INTRODUCTION OF JULIA (EPISODES 265-365)
Maggie’s doctor, Julia Hoffman, arrives at Collinwood, posing as an historian. She discovers the secret of Barnabas and offers to cure him. When the experiments backfire, Barnabas turns on her. Barnabas attempts to kill those who he believes know his secret, but he is stopped by the ghost of his little sister Sarah.
1795 (EPISODES 365-461)
After a seance, Vicki is transported back to 1795. She meets Collins ancestors who resemble present-day family members. The witch Angélique jealously destroys Barnabas’ romance with Josette DuPrés and places the curse of the vampire on him. Josette sees a vision of herself as a vampire and leaps to her death from Widows’ Hill. Reverend Trask causes Vicki to be tried and condemned as a witch. Vicki falls in love with Peter Bradford. As she is about to be hung as a witch, Vicki is returned to the present.
THE DREAM CURSE (EPISODES 461-536)
Vicki is haunted by her experiences in the past. Dr. Eric Lang temporarily cures Barnabas. Angélique appears, disguised as Roger’s new wife Cassandra. She initiates an evil dream curse to turn Barnabas back into a vampire. At the climax of the dream curse, Barnabas is attacked by a bat, but he does not become a vampire at that time.
THE CREATION OF ADAM AND EVE (EPISODES 486-626)
Dr. Lang dies. Barnabas and Julia continue his experiments to create a man from human body parts using Barnabas’ life force. Adam is brought to life. Warlock Nicholas Blair influences Adam to demand a mate; Eve is created, but she despises Adam for his weakness. Nicholas punishes Angélique by turning her into a vampire. Angélique bites Barnabas in an attempt to place him under her power. Adam kills Eve.
RETURN TO 1796 (EPISODES 657-667)
Barnabas revisits the past to save Vicki from hanging. By destroying Angélique, he enables Vicki to remain in the past with Peter Bradford.
THE WEREWOLF AND THE GHOST OF QUENTIN (EPISODES 627-700)
When the moon is full, Chris Jennings transforms into a werewolf. His sister Amy comes to live at Collinwood. Using an old disconnected telephone, Amy and David speak to the ghost of Quentin Collins, which attempts to possess David. After Quentin forces everyone to leave Collinwood, his wild laughter echoes through the empty house. Maggie saves the children after Quentin lures them back to Collinwood.
1897 (EPISODES 700-884)
By using the I-Ching wands, Barnabas goes back to 1897 to learn the secret of Quentin and the werewolf. Schoolteacher Rachel Drummond attempts to save the children, Jamison and Nora, from cruel treatment by Reverend Gregory Trask at his school, Worthington Hall. Angered that Quentin was responsible for the death of her sister Jenny, Magda places the curse of the werewolf on Quentin and all his descendants. Count Petofi regains his hand and uses its power to switch minds with Quentin in his attempt to reach the future. Barnabas meets the true reincarnation of Josette, Lady Kitty Hampshire.
THE LEVIATHANS (EPISODES 885-980)
Barnabas follows Kitty as Josette to 1795 but is returned to the present by the Leviathans. He is used by them in their quest to displace mankind and return their ancient cult to supremacy. Carolyn marries Leviathan leader Jeb Hawkes. Angélique creates a shadow to follow Jeb and destroy him.
QUENTIN AND AMANDA (EPISODES 904-934)