TV on DVD: 'Dark Shadows' '70s series

Producer Dan Curtis' smartest stroke after the first year was adding Barnabas Collins, a courtly "cousin from England" who turned out to be two-centuries undead. Soon, rather plain actor Jonathan Frid had become an unlikely teen idol -- a soulful 40-something vampire, trendsettingly tortured by his bloodsucking urges. Then came werewolves and witchcraft, all played with grave importance (not the camp of NBC's 1999-2007 soap "Passions").

The show's shadows were dark for another reason. "Dark Shadows" was produced in a cramped Manhattan studio, live-to-tape in TV's early years. The serial's first 14 months were broadcast in black-and-white. But the underlit sets seemed atmospheric, while blown lines and crew mistakes made the action edgy. Eerie music, stormy sounds, ghastly makeup and primitive special effects set it apart from anything else on TV.

And "Dark Shadows" takes itself verrrry seriously (unlike the Depp film). There's flowery language and melodramatic emoting, with extreme close-ups and musical signatures to amplify the in-your-face solemnity. What might seem silly can also be strangely spellbinding.

There still isn't anything like it.

Also included are three previous single discs of tribute and trivia ("Bloopers & Treasures," "Special Edition," "Reunion").

The Limited Edition coffin also includes a postcard autographed by Frid, who died just last month. This edition is technically sold out. With demand exceeding its run of 2,500, MPI plans a July 10 release of a Deluxe Edition including everything but the autographed card and numbered seal. (Online pre-sale prices go as low as $420.)