Johnathan Frid Interview, November 11, 1990

First, you should know that the videotape source here is a bit old and rundown. There's a few audio glitches about halfway through, too. Other than that, I think you might enjoy this little time capsule from November, 1990.

Years ago the late Johnathan Frid, famous for playing the vampire Barnabas Collins on "Dark Shadows," toured the country doing a one man show of dramatic readings. He came to the University at Presque Isle, ME, and granted an interview about "Fools & Fiends" to the local station I worked at, WAGM TV8. He also talked about his famous role and how he played him.

This is not the relatively short report that played on the newscast that night, but rather an extended interview I put together from the raw footage. Reporter and Anchor Ed Walsh interviews Mr. Frid, and camera was operated by Hildagarde Webber. I was there as an extra hand (mainly as an excuse to meet Mr. Frid!). The show itself was quite interesting. Mr. Frid was lit only by two lights on either side, and read several horror and comedy selections in a dramatic Shakespearean style.

After the show he graciously stayed to take questions from the audience about his career, and "Dark Shadows." At the time, the 1990 revival starring Ben Cross was about to air on NBC, and he said Mr. Cross was quite good, and he hoped Cross could "escape his [own] fate" of being somewhat typecast as a vampire.

A very nice guy, unassuming and gracious.

I apparently tacked on three short promos for the NBC series when I made this tape back in 1990, so I've included them here.