Dark Shadows convention in L.A. July 16-18

The legendary Gothic mystery-romance television series DARK SHADOWS is celebrating a rebirth and a reunion as plans are underway for a new Warner Brothers motion picture adaptation starring Johnny Depp as the original guilt-ridden vampire, Barnabas Collins.

DARK SHADOWS IN THE SUN, to be held the weekend of July 16-18, 2010 at the Los Angeles Marriott Burbank Airport Hotel (2500 Hollywood Way, Burbank, CA 91505; phone 818-843-6000), brings together over a dozen original cast and production members of the 1966-71 cult favorite, including: JONATHAN FRID (Barnabas Collins), DAVID SELBY (Quentin Collins), LARA PARKER (Angelique), KATHRYN LEIGH SCOTT (Maggie/Josette), JOHN KARLEN (Willie Loomis), ROGER DAVIS (Peter Bradford), JERRY LACY (Reverend Trask), MARIE WALLACE (Eve), JAMES STORM (Gerard) CHRISTOPHER PENNOCK (Jeb), KATHLEEN CODY (Hallie), ROBERT COBERT (Music Composer) and SY TOMASHOFF (Scenic Designer). Activities will include autograph signings, memorabilia sale, question-and-answer sessions and dramatic performances by the actors.

DARK SHADOWS, created by the late producer-director Dan Curtis (The Night Stalker, The Winds Of War), debuted June 27, 1966 on ABC-TV as an afternoon serial patterned in the style of the traditional Gothic novel. Within a year, the character of Barnabas Collins, a vulnerable 175-year-old vampire played by Jonathan Frid, was introduced and DARK SHADOWS become a pop-culture phenomenon, attracting teenagers to a soap opera for the first time, along with housewives and college students. At its peak in 1969, the series attracted 20 million viewers and enjoyed a Billboard top 20 soundtrack album as well as a Grammy-nominated hit single, Quentin’s Theme (Shadows Of The Night).

The show ended on April 2, 1971 after 1,225 spine-tingling episodes and two M-G-M feature films were released: House of Dark Shadows (1970) and Night of Dark Shadows (1971). Since then, DARK SHADOWS was seen in syndication for two decades, the Sci-Fi Channel aired reruns from 1992-2002, NBC broadcast a revival miniseries and a deep devotion by the fans has kept the show’s memory alive.

In addition, new DARK SHADOWS audio dramas with the original cast are being produced for CD and digital downloads and Warner Brothers is developing a new feature film version with Johnny Depp, expected for release in 2011.