I love classical horror, and especially love vampires. The genesis of my interest in vampires was the thrilling literary classic by Bram Stoker, which I have read twice.
The second source was Francis Ford Coppola's Bram Stoker's Dracula, which premiered on Friday the 13th of November 1992. Enchanted by the lush visuals, in camera effects, and moving love story, I watched BSD 13 times in the theater, and have enjoyed collecting BSD memorabilia.
I later enjoyed The Vampire Chronicles books by Anne Rice, and the masterpiece film Interview with the Vampire (1994) by Neil Jordan. I eventually warmed to the classic Hammer series starring Sir Christopher Lee, and now particularly enjoy them as well. I of course have watched Herzog's and F.W. Murnau's films, as well as the film adaptation of the stage play by Balderston and Deane, starring Bela Lugosi. I can add here a plethora of Karnstein and other vampire themed B-movies by Paul Naschy and many others.
My mother wouldn't let me watch Dark Shadows as a child. Streaming on Amazon is giving me a new vampire collection obsession, only this time it is online, on my Dark Shadows website!
PHOTOS: I claim no rights to these photos from the web, which represent most of the items in my BSD collection.
Video slide show of the "Coppola and Eiko on Bram Stoker's Dracula" coffee table book
“Jonathan Frid, in his life and his work, represented a bygone period of great dedication, civility and romanticism. As with Barnabas, he seemed to be a figure from another era but, like that fictional creation, Jonathan has transcended time with a legacy that is destined to live on for centuries to come.” ~ Jim Pierson
I claim no rights whatsoever to any and all photos - Though it is only polite to mention me with my edits, thanks! THANK YOU to @CousinBarnabas at Collinsport Historical Society - Valerie Schaal - Dark Shadows News Page -Dark Shadows is Serious Business - Nancy Kersey and Jonathan Frid Fangroup - and so many others
