BARNABAS COLLINS - DARK SHADOWS Vintage TV Show Toys and Collectibles

Since we're a VAMPYRE FAN BLOG there is actually NO way we could not mention Barnabas Collins! This Vampire appeared on the classic TV show "DARK SHADOWS". Dark Shadows was a gothic soap opera that originally aired weekdays on the ABC television network from June 27th, 1966 to April 2nd, 1971.

The series became hugely popular when, a year into its run, Vampire Barnabas Collins ( played by Actor Jonathan Frid ) appeared. Dark Shadows also featured werewolves, ghosts, zombies, man-made monsters, witches, warlocks, time travel (both into the past and into the future), and a parallel universe.

Dark Shadows was distinguished by its vividly melodramatic performances, atmospheric interiors, memorable storylines, and an unusually adventurous music score. Now regarded as somewhat of a camp classic, it continues to enjoy intense cult status among its followers. As a child, Johnny Depp was so obsessed with Barnabas Collins that he wanted to be him. So now, Depp is collaborating with Tim Burton on a movie adaptation, in which he will play Barnabas.

Shown here are a few Vintage "Dark Shadows" toys, books, & collectibles that were made around the time the TV show originally aired. The 1st photo is the cover to "Famous Monsters of Filmland" magazine, issue #59. The 2nd pic is the Official BARNABAS COLLINS / DARK SHADOWS Board Game made by Milton Bradley! ( I have always loved those vintage-style graphics! ). Next up is this extremely cool BARNABAS VAMPIRE VAN Plastic Model kit by MPC. Well, it actually looks more like a Hot Rod Car to me but why argue, ha! It looks like it was made to deliver coffins & I bet every little kid back then begged their Mom for this toy! The 4th photo shows one of my favorite toys growing up, the Magic Slate! It was made by Whitman. Speaking of that company they also made the next item, the 2nd DARK SHADOWS TV SHOW Board Game. After that we get to see a Wax Wrapper for the DARK SHADOWS Bubble Gum Cards. These trading cards today are extremely hard to find! OK, now the last photo, it shows 2 Vintage Paperback Books. One of them is a Cookbook, which is kinda funny! They actually made a TON of books back then that revolved around this show. There are even a few that are still in print today.

DRACULA VAMPIRE MONSTER Birthday Cake For March!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY VAMPYRE FANS!! This festive "Dracula Vampire Monster Birthday Cake" goes out to all our readers who have a special day in the month of March.

VAMPIRE WALLPAPER BACKGROUNDS - Actor Christopher Lee as Count Dracula - Hammer Horror Films

When trying to think of some graphic images to use for a series of VAMPIRE WALLPAPER Backgrounds I knew we had to pick the quintessential Christopher Lee. He's famous for his role as Count Dracula from the Hammer Horror Films. He has also been in a James Bond 007 movie, Star Wars' 2nd Trilogy, The Lord of The Rings, etc... I mean, this Actor is a total stud! In fact, Lee has performed roles in 266 films since 1948 making him the Guinness Book world record holder for most film acting roles ever! Plus, in 2009 he was knighted in the UK. So, as a VAMPYRE FAN BLOG, it's totally appropriate that we honor Sir Christopher Lee!

FUNNY VAMPIRE Tattoo & Humor Photos, Ha Ha!

Check out this hilarious assortment of Vampire-Related Humor! Look at this "Dracula Hello Kitty" tattoo. You know YOU want it! This photo was sent in to us by our friend Brenda. She said she's been searching for tattoo ideas forever.

OK, the 2nd pic is pretty funny and it's actually a T-Shirt design. It shows 2 Vampires, at the Office, chatting about business around the water cooler... a water cooler filled with blood!

The last photo is my favorite. It is funny, but I really wanted to share it was because, besides being a great Halloween Costume, Count Chocula brings back a lot of fond childhood memories.

One last thing, have YOU seen any comic strips or funny pictures that revolve around Vampires ? If so, then please share some today. Our "Send us eMail" button is always posted on this page.

1963 ATOM AGE VAMPIRE ( Public Domain Film ) Wallpaper Background & Complete Movie

There's nothing better than Vintage Vampire B-Movies!! Here's a total classic, ATOM AGE VAMPIRE! This 1963 Italian film was shot in black-and-white and directed by Anton Giulio Majano. The Basic Plot: When a singer (Susanne Loret) is horribly disfigured in a car accident, a scientist (Alberto Lupo) develops a treatment which can restore her beauty by injecting her with a special serum. While performing the procedure, however, he falls in love with her. As the treatment begins to fail, he determines to save her appearance, regardless of how many women he must kill for her sake. OK, featured up above is an "ATOM AGE VAMPIRE" Wallpaper Background I made to brighten your desktop. Then, down below, is the entire movie video for you to watch. Don't worry, it's "Public Domain" so it's totally legal to share... enjoy!

Vampire Book Review ~ Mean & Massive's review of Angel of Vengeance

Mean and Massive has published a positive book review for Trevor's novel on their website!

Angel of Vengeance Book Released

Titan Books, a publishing house dedicated to books that were made into TV series or Films, brings us Angel Of Vengeance, the vampire story that inspired the TV series Moonlight (CBS).

Angel Of Vengeance, written by Trevor Munson, tells the story of private investigator and vampire Mick Angel. He is hired by a beautiful burlesque dancer to find her missing teenage sister, and must fight his lust, his hunger, and his past in order to complete the mission.

The plot is exciting, full of twists and turns. But the best part is the way this story is told -it is very visual, and moves heavy like an old tired vampire. If you are new to vampire stories, this one will be a good place to start, as Mick tells us all there is to know about vampires. How they eat, how they sleep, when can they attack and what blocks them. Being a vampire is like working with a sophisticated machine, and even Mick discovers new things about himself as he goes.

Munson surely wrote the book already with the screen in mind, and it’s read like a screenplay – precise action scenes, clear thoughts, dialogue when necessary. This noir-vampire story was a pleasure to read, and in many ways it is much better than the TV series that followed.

http://meanmassive.com/angel-vengeance-book-released/

VAMPIRE WALLPAPER BACKGROUNDS - 1931 DRACULA Movie & New TRUE BLOOD TV Show

I thought it would be fun to share a few Vampire Wallpapers today. I also thought I would go with an idea of a "Something Old & Something New" theme. The 1st one features a scene from the Classic 1931 DRACULA Vampire Movie starring Bela Lugosi. It's totally black & white & I really love that. The next one is a promo photo from the TRUE BLOOD TV Series on HBO. This is the "Something New" background & it's a great graphic. Go ahead, give it a try! Please feel free to use these to brighten your PC desktop. Plus, please remember to share these with all your friends.

Interview with Dawn Olivieri from The Vampire Diaries

Robyn Ross interviews Dawn Olivieri about being Damon Salvatore's new lady and what it's like to play a character who is under vamp compulsion.

The Vampire Diaries' Dawn Olivieri: Andie Star Won't Play the Victim
by Robyn Ross

What's it like being the girlfriend of a vampire? Vampire Diaries' actress Dawn Oliveri compares it to harboring a criminal.

After laying eyes on the sexy reporter, Damon compelled Andie (Olivieri) to become his girlfriend and forget everything he ever tells her. In Thursday's episode, Andie will unknowingly help Damon attempt to kill Elijah. Will she ever realize that's she under Damon's spell? And also, that she's being nibbled on nightly? Olivieri says there are moments where Andie will struggle to come out of her comatose state and eventually she'll try to get to the bottom of what's really going down in Mystic Falls. TVGuide.com spoke to the actress about Andie's fate and how long she expects to stick around on the CW series.

TVGuide : This week's episode focuses on Damon's dinner party and a plot to take down Elijah. How is Andie involved?

Dawn Olivieri : More than involved, she takes the [role] of facilitator. She becomes the hostess of the party, but is hypnotized. Unknowingly, she's facilitating this crazy night. It's like harboring a criminal, but you have no idea you're doing it.

TVGuide : Will Andie be disposable to Damon when he's done using her?

Dawn Olivieri : Damon thinks that he's just using her, but Andie is smarter than the girls you've seen him fall [for]. Andie is a worthy opponent not in physicality, but in the mind. What's going to be interesting is when Andie comes to from her comatose state. She's a news reporter so she's not going to be a victim of a crime and let things happen. The unfortunate thing for Andie is she's going to want to get to the bottom of it.

TVGuide : Will that be her demise?

Dawn Olivieri : It can go one of two ways. It could lead to her demise or it could do the opposite, which would be the fantastic turn that no one expects because every girl that comes on here just gets killed.

TVGuide : How do we know when Andie is under compulsion or having true emotion?

Dawn Olivieri : At the very beginning of the bathtub scene, that was her. Pretty much everything after that she's been compelled [to do], but I don't like it to be just flat-out compulsion. But she has moments that I've sprinkled throughout. They're very subtle. There was one, for example, when I saw the bite and I took a moment in the mirror, almost like you see the reflection of a trapped person inside. It's moments like that, that I want to have for her so it's not just all her being hypnotized. I want that struggle to come through and for her to fight to come up for air. As the episodes go on I'm going to build on that, whether the writers will honor that choice, I don't know. This next episode will be fun because I intend to put more pressure on that struggle.

TVGuide : Are you done filming?

Dawn Olivieri : I'm going back next week. From the beginning, it's been for an "undisclosed" amount of episodes so it's my feeling I'll make it to the end. There's so much more to do with her.

TVGuide : If you stay, would you want to remain human or turn into a Vampire?

Dawn Olivieri : Who wants to be human? I would love to be turned.

The Vampire Diaries airs on Thursdays at 8/7c on CW.

http://www.tvguide.com/News/Vampire-Diaries-Andie-1029574.aspx

Photograph ~ Vampire Damon Salvatore (Ian Somerhalder) and Reporter Andie Star (Dawn Olivieri) in promo still photo from The Vampire Diaries TV Show on The CW Network

New 2011 VAMPIRE-THEMED CALENDARS Are Out!!

OK, Here's something cool for "Vampire Collectors" to keep an eye out for on their next trip to their favorite bookstore. Brand new Vampire themed 2011 calendars! It looks like they have made ones for TRUE BLOOD ( The HBO TV Series ), TWILIGHT ECLIPSE MOVIE ( Based on Stephenie Meyer's Book Series ), and then 2 more that cover Vampire Trivia & Lore. Remember, if you have a hard time finding them in stores, then just order online by clicking HERE!

DRACULA 1931 Vampire Movie Fan-Made Trailer

Here's a very cool fan-made film trailer for the 1931 DRACULA Movie. It's meant to look more "modern day" & the effect is kind of fun, enjoy.

VAMPIRELLA - Vampire Wallpaper Desktop Backgrounds!

Shown here, for your viewing pleasure, are these two Free VAMPIRELLA PIN-UP Wallpapers. We made last night to brighten your desktop's background! Of course we're talking about the classic comic book character created by Forrest J. Ackerman. Vampirella initially appeared in Warren Publishing's Vampirella #1 (Sept. 1969) and lasted until issue #112 (1983). This classic Black & White Comic Book, in a magazine-format, is famous for it's amazing artwork. The 1st Background is a recent photo of a real-life model dressed as Vampirella. Showing, that the character is still well loved by many fans! The next image is from a Vampirella Magazine Cover with artwork by Frank Frazetta. We hope you like them & please feel free to share these with all your friends!

Damon Salvatore's love interests on The Vampire Diaries

TV Guide talks with Ian Somerhalder about Damon's "love" interests on The Vampire Diaries.

Vampire Diaries' Ian Somerhalder: Andie is Damon's "Hot Beard"
By Robyn Ross

One word of advice for Vampire Diaries viewers feeling sorry that Damon lost Rose: Don't.

Ian Somerhalder says Damon never actually felt for her. "Not to burst anyone's bubble, it's not that Damon actually gave a sh-- about Rose, it's really what it evoked in him and made him realize what is really important to him," Somerhalder tells TVGuide.com.

In "The Descent" episode Rose, played by Lauren Cohan, finally succumbed to her werewolf bite. The usually sarcastic yet charmingly jerky Damon stood by her side and even shed a tear as he let her go. It didn't take long for Damon to find his next leading lady, Andie Starr (Dawn Olivieri), whom Somerhalder likes to call his "hot beard."

"Damon is this eligible bachelor in this town, and if he never has a girlfriend, people will start talking," the actor says. "It's kind of comical, but also sad that he ... can channel that energy that he has for Elena into someone else who doesn't even know what's going on. Project it right onto them."

As we saw in last week's episode, Damon not only uses Andie for pleasure, but to get his emotionally conflicted feelings off his chest before compelling her to forget what he says. "It's like the people who can't express their feelings unless they're drinking; it's sad," Somerhalder says. "It's not something I would recommend, but it is one way to live."

Although Somerhalder doesn't believe that Damon will continue down his heartbreakingly vulnerable path too long, he does reveal it will become problematic.

"He's just struggling with this feeling thing and the whole thing is just foreign to him," he says.

Whether it's Rose or "Miss Sexy Reporter Girl" with whom Damon is spending time, it always comes back to the very specific feelings he has for both Elena and her mean vampire doppelganger Katherine.

"There are two women that look identical and you're in love with both of them," he says. "That is the ultimate Damon challenge — that's his journey.

A new episode of The Vampire Diaries airs Thursday at 8/7c on the CW.

http://www.tvguide.com/News/Vampire-Diaries-Somerhalder-1029078.aspx

Photograph ~ Elena Gilbert (Nina Dobrev) and Vampire Damon Salvatore (Ian Somerhalder) in a promo still photo from The Vampire Diaries TV Show on The CW Network

Read an excerpt from recently released book Angel of Vengeance

Trevor O. Munson & Titan Books have graciously posted an excerpt from Angel of Vengeance for the fans! *cheer* It will give you a taste (no pun intended ~ ha!) of the novel that inspired the tv show Moonlight & Vampire Mick St John. Just follow this link to read a bit.....

http://titanbooks.com/blog/angel-vengeance-exclusive-excerpt/

Purchase your copy of Angel of Vengeance!