'Dark Shadows' Premiered 50 Years Ago Today on ABC

The cast of Dark Shadows in 1967: David Henesy, Kathryn Leigh Scott,
Sharon Smyth, Anthony George, Robert Gerringer, Nancy Barrett,
Dennis Patrick, Alexandra Moltke, John Karlen, Jonathan Frid,
Grayson Hall, Clarice Blackburn, Dana Elcar, Louis Edmonds,
and Joan Bennett. Photo Credit: ABC

Gothic afternoon soap opera Dark Shadows premiered on ABC 50 years ago today. On June 27, 1966, the series aired at 4 p.m. ET, following medical dramas General Hospital and The Nurses in the network's lineup.

A year earlier, creator Dan Curtis told his wife that he had a dream about a mysterious young woman who was on a train. Curtis pitched the idea as a TV show to ABC, who greenlit production.  Art Wallace was hired to create a story from Curtis' dream sequence. Wallace wrote the story bible, Shadows on the Wall, the proposed title for the show that was later changed to Dark Shadows.

From the first notes of its distinctly haunting musical theme, to the innovative storylines that transformed daytime television, to its iconic cast of characters, Dark Shadows transported audiences to the mysterious town of Collinsport, Maine, and they never looked back.

Airing from 1966-1971, Dark Shadows became a pop culture phenomenon with the vulnerable vampire Barnabas Collins, a role made famous by Jonathan Frid.

During its initial run, the series spawned two feature-length motion pictures, House Of Dark Shadows (1970) and Night Of Dark Shadows (1971), as well as thirty-two tie-in novels, comic books, records, Viewmasters, games, models, and trading cards.

Decades Network will be featuring Dark Shadows episodes throughout the day on Monday, including the debut of vampire Barnabas Collins. Decades remembers the premiere of this cult favorite with the 12 episodes that marked the beginning of the Barnabas storyline, one that propelled the daytime series to new heights. The episodes will be presented in groups of three at 9 a.m. ET, 3 p.m. ET, 9 p.m. ET and 3 a.m. ET.

Kathryn Leigh Scott To Guest In OLD DOGS & NEW TRICKS Season 3; Ian Buchanan & Marc Anthony Samuel Will Return

Actress Kathryn Leigh Scott, best known for her role in the original DARK SHADOWS series, is the latest name to sign up for a special-guest-star turn the third season of OLD DOGS & NEW TRICKS, shooting this fall in Los Angeles.

The role of Maggie Smith, the ingenue in love with vampire Barnabas Collins (Jonathan Frid) in the ground-breaking 1970s daytime drama DARK SHADOWS, catapulted Scott to stardom. She went on to reprise the role in the big-screen sequel House of Dark Shadows, and has since guest-starred in numerous television series and appeared in several feature films. She also made a cameo appearance in last year's big-screen remake starring Johnny Depp, directed by Tim Burton.

Scott will play Lily Anne Carter, mother to lead character Al "Muscles" Carter, in two Christmas-themed episodes of OLD DOGS & NEW TRICKS.

50 Greatest Soap Couples: #45 Barnabas & Josette From DARK SHADOWS

COUPLE: Barnabas Collins & Josette duPres
SHOW: DARK SHADOWS
RANK: 45
PLAYED BY:
Barnabas: Jonathan Frid
Josette: Kathryn Leigh Scott, Mary Cooper
YEARS: 1967-1971

STORY:
In 1795, Josette traveled with her father, Andre DuPres, from Martinique to marry Barnabas Collins. Her aunt, Countess Natalie DuPres, and her maid, Angelique, arrived a few days prior. Angelique was actually a witch who had enjoyed a previous fling with Barnabas back in Martinique, and was very much in love with him. She planned to destroy the couple's romance and placed a spell on Josette, causing her to fall hopelessly in love with Jeremiah Collins.  Josette eventually fell to her death at Widows' Hill in one of the most memorable scenes in the show's history.

COUNTDOWN: Top 30 Soap World (Auto)Biographies, from Mona Bruns Thomas to Christina Crawford, Judy Lewis to Bill & Susan Hayes

We mentioned new memoirs by Kim Zimmer and Susan Lucci in our Cyber Monday list of merchandise to check out. Now we are expanding that list looking at life stories from the world of daytime dramas. Check out our Top 30 list below:

1. "Both of Me" by Mary Stuart

2. "Eight Years in Another World" by Harding Lemay

3. "From the Raven to the Dove" by Sharon Gabet

4. "The Confessions of Phoebe Tyler" by Ruth Warrick and Don Preston

5. "Please, Spell the Name Right" by Jed Allan