In 1966, the ABC network aired the pilot for the daytime soap opera, Dark Shadows. The series, which was originally inspired by a dream the show’s creator, Dan Curtis had, was structured similarly to a Gothic Romance novel. The story begins when governess Victoria Winters arrives at Collinwood Estate and notices the family’s strange and unusual habits. The series was only mildly popular until the addition of vampire character, Barnabas Collins, who turned the series on its ear and took audiences by storm.

Exploring all manner of paranormal monsters and phenomenon, Dark Shadows was host to werewolves, zombies, ghosts and more.

The series was so popular, two films were created between 1970 and 1971, and despite a loyal fan-following during it’s five year run on ABC, the show was canceled in 1971.

Over the years Dark Shadows ran in syndicate on public television and the SciFi Channel. In 1991, a short revival of the series aired on NBC, but despite its big budget and quality production, it never took off. There has been talk of a second revival in the last five years, but nothing concrete is currently in the works.

Tim Burton has signed on to direct a Dark Shadows movie scheduled to debut sometime in 2011, and rumors also link Johnny Depp to the film. With the present film industry thriving on remakes and revivals, and the current media obsessing over monsters, it would seem like an opportune time for Dark Shadows to make a comeback. This film could also mean good things for the original 1,225 episodes of the original series resurfacing in syndication, but for now if you want an old fashioned dose of Gothic Romance-styled soap opera, you’ll have to catch the series on DVD.