What Really Started the Vampire Craze?

Thanks to Hollywood, everyone knows how popular vampires are these days

. Just look at box office hits such as Twilight, New Moon, and Eclipse. But did you know that beginning in 1966, and continuing until 1971, that a hugely successful daytime soap opera- Dark Shadows- began the vampire costume craze? That's right- 40 years ago, Barnabas Collins was as well known as Edward Cullen is today.

Dark Shadows was considered daring and unprecedented in daytime television when it first aired weekday afternoons on ABC. The TV show was produced in black and white from 1966 to 1967, then in color from 1967 to 1971. The series became a surprising phenomenon a year into its run when vampire Barnabas Collins, played by Jonathan Frid, appeared in the story line. Episode after episode, Barnabas Collins, a nearly 200-year-old vampire that was released from his coffin, brought terror to the town of Collinsport!

In addition to vampires, Dark Shadows featured a wolfman, ghosts, zombies, man-made monsters, witches, warlocks, time travel (both into the past and into the future), and a parallel universe. Pretty far-fetched stuff for 1960s daytime TV! A small company of actors each played many roles and, as actors came and went, some characters were played by several actors. Dark Shadows was distinguished by its vividly melodramatic performances, atmospheric interiors, memorable story lines and an unusually adventurous music score. Obviously the special effects were pretty lame compared to today's technology, but Dark Shadows was a hit until the show was cancelled after 1225 episodes. It still retains a bit of a cult following after all these years, and of course, a Halloween vampire costume has never stopped being a classic.

Are you looking for a vampire costume to wear this year that's drop dead gorgeous or too wicked for words? Both? If you can imagine it, you can be that kind of vampire, whether for Halloween, a movie theme party, or just for fun! Sexy vampire costumes continue to be particularly popular for women, and really put the "vamp" into vampire! With such a wide selection of blood thirsty Halloween vampire costumes for men, women, kids, and plus sizes, you'll be up all night having the time of your life! Invite friends or family members to dress as vampires, too, for a fang bangin' great group costume idea! Also check out the monsterously fun collection of costumes for the entire family at BestCostumeShop.net.

What Really Started the Vampire Craze?

By: Thrifty Princess

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