Jonathan Frid Interview on Merv Griffin 1969

[CandiceCrystLCollins]

Thank you so much for sharing this with us Dark Shadows Fans. Jonathan Frid is a brilliant actor and a very sophisticated man. I have my own website for Dark Shadows fans created in honor of the cast and original series that ran from 1966-1971.

[nancyhastrew]

I had always heard that Frid was gay, I don't really care. He was never married and never rumored to have any lovers male or female, but all who knew him said he was a real gentleman and very sweet. You can tell from more recent videos of him what a lovely person he still is. After visiting his personal website you really get a sense of a kind of quirky, humorous personality. And revisiting the show after 30+ years I still see that he was a wonderful actor. I've admired him for most of my life.

[MrRJMGREEN]

Why did she not slide over and let him have the guest seat?

[johnnyachernar]

cant get used to barnabas without his accent!!!

[MrsCaptainEO]

If I only knew such a man... -3 He is such an intelligent, sophisticated, eloquent gentleman. -3

[arrakisprods]

Great interview, by a great actor!

[81manbat]

johnathan frid look like mr bean

[lindalucys2004]

MERV GRIFFIN interviews "BARNABAS COLLINS" ... actor Jonathan Frid (1969).

Personally, I would run home from 5th and 6th grade every day to get home to watch this show.

He said he used an 1800's coffin, relates the story of an actress who refused to do scenes in a coffin (she was deathly afraid).

His fan mail was combo "exotic," normal, plus "morbid" mail.Some people meeting him really believed he was a vampire + he might bite them! (a boy asked him: Please don't be so mean to Willie.)

[chaddirects]

@lindalucys2004

And you felt the need to recap the video....why?

[lindalucys2004]

@chaddirects

Why make my post a recap? Is there a problem?

Perhaps someone who was not really interested in watching a 9+min segment of the show... perhaps this synopsis would get them to WATCH the video.

[EddieLandsberg]

Has there ever been a TV show when the host doesn't say, "Where's your hometown?", the audience applause and the guest says, "I didn't know there were so many ********ins here tonight!" followed by laughter???

[1viavero]

it is so nice to see this interview in the 2000's.. he is a family heroe!! He looks really elegant and nice.

[lyilux]

Very gracious man.

[countingmx]

Awful interview. Merv fails to rein him in. He just blabs. (I like that ultimate-flatter comment by Merv at the intro, so telling: this "young man" -- well Frid was in his mid '40s). Just a lame, lame example of the boring nature of television in the day.

[zenarcade64]

@countingmx Not sure what your issue is. I think this is a classic and rare interview by a great actor and great interviewer, but that's just me. You have to be into 1960s culture to appreciate it perhaps.

[4615larkc]

good LORD SHES A TRUE BEAUTY,,, & PG TOO,,, SHE lookd at him as tho shed eat him ALIVE...LOL,,but he seems to never be out of step to be a true gentleman

[AGAFilms89]

I do really love Jonathan Frid, he has a swagger that no one else has! So charming and handsome, Galee I was born in the wrong generation! Lol I would have... Well, yea you know lol!! Meow! And Ow ow!!! P.s she looked like she wanted him pretty bad! Lol don't blame you honey, her and all the women around!!! It just takes one look... Them he's got you!

Barnanas would not have needed to attack lol!! I'd have a straw for him lol!!!! J/k

[m2mallory]

And in an homage to the original show, there's even a boom mic shadow following Frid around in the PSA.

[zenarcade64]

@m2mallory lol

[pacertmh]

Rocky! Wow!

[hansenma1]

do you have the entire episode?

[etrax2000]

i though they have lost all the merv griffin shows from the sixties /

[MysticLady2011]

Mute this and watch it again. Note how thoughful and expressive Jonathan is. His facial expressions are always changing, he uses his hands a lot, and his body posture frequently changes. He's more lively than Barnabas (pun intended). Also notice that after kissing her hand, he pretty much ignores Barbara Bouchet, even when she makes a couple of comments. He was watching Merv's reaction during his prank with her hair / neck.

[JayBBluejay]

Jonathan Frid was an unlikely teen idol in the 1960's and early 1970's when Dark Shadows was on the air. He was born in 1924, which would have but him at age 44 or 45 at the time of this clip.

[GeorgeVreelandHill]

Thank you for posting this.

I have always loved Jonathan Frid.

George Vreeland Hill

[kevgiv]

like Barnabas Collins? you'll love Sebastian Vasilis! "Last Rites: The return of Sebastian Vasilis" on amazon! Indyplanet!

[leafas]

Is the blonde woman between Jonathan & Merv, Sharon Tate??

[zenarcade64]

@leafas Good guess, but it's Barbara Bouchet, who was a big star back then.

[MickeyLS]

@leafas I think it is Sharon Tate.

[MickeyLS]

@leafas it is Sharon Tate. 

[MickeyLS]

@leafas it is Sharon Tate. she was killed shortly after this interview by Charles Manson

[zenarcade64]

@MickeyLS I marked this as spam, not because you're wrong (you are), but because you added three of the same posts.

[Tessmage]

@leafas

I don't know if you've ever watched the original Star Trek series, but Barbara Bouchet was one of the hottest Start Trek babes EVER. She played "Kelinda," an alien hottie who Kirk has a minor flirtation with, in the episode entitled "By Any Other Name." She was a major babe in her day. Very much into fitness.

[ThomasJeromeNewton]

lugosi didn't play a vampire, he played bram stroker's friend and boss, the actor Henry Irving.

[changingowl10]

@ThomasJeromeNewton

He was Dracula.

[KaraLarson26]

" So you came across the border to bite Americans on the neck." Love that line by Merv Griffin - Ha,Ha,Ha.

[hngwitch]

Benicio Del Torro should direct the Dark Shadows film, not Burton. My god that Willie Wonka remake was horrid!

[4freespeech]

Bet that scene got old Merv's motor running. As for Frid, he looked for all

the world like a CADAVER, even when not in character. CREEPS! He's

complaining about his coffin being too small.

[ja3399]

I used to race home from school so I could watch every minute of "Dark Shadows," so I'm glad to see this interview. Loved the rest of the cast, too, and DO NOT CARE who was gay, who wasn't, who didn't know, hadn't come out, or whatever.

[pwnUgood]

They really used to let people talk on talk shows, didn't they?

[Bundy1]

Awesome video comp. Thanks for posting!

[kswendat]

Just because Jonathan Frid referred to "his partner" in an interview does not mean he's gay. The partner he often refers is his business partner, Mary O'Leary.

[Madeleine62572]

@kswendat I agree. Young fans must remember this interview is 40 YEARS OLD.  "Partner" wasn't used in the same context as it is today. Jonathan is from our GRANDFATHER'S generation. He is too much of a gentleman to discuss his lovers, whether male, female, or both. There are many pictures of him with women sitting on his lap.

[happinessrus]

Somethings just can't be reproduce,wheather you a good actor not ,this was a GREAT interview wired to see Jon out of character affter all these years,I was one of those kids that ran home from school to see Barnabas,I bought post cards for my mom with the characters on it,I found the ending of this clip so cool to see that he aged well. I love DS their will NEVER be another soap of it's kind.

[angelsinvelvet]

Yea I hope Depp & Burton don't muck it up. Such a great show.

[Feldie22]

Thanks *so* much for posting this! I really enjoyed watching the Merv Griffin interview with Jonathan Frid, and the other stuff you've included are great bonuses.

[wiesen246]

Wait a minute!!! Is Tim Burton doing a remake of Dark Shadows???? NOOOOOO he wil ruin it.

[dvlaries]

He's so stately and elegant, isn't he? Even then, Frid seems as baffled with the atom-bomb blast of affection and attention dropped on him when he single-handedly saved DS from cancellation, playing this guy released from a coffin, who lived two centuries earlier. DS was ten weeks from kaput, when Curtis decided to throw in a real vampire: "better to go down in flames then just sputter out of gas." Then a miracle.

[butchboy13]

Mr. Frid IS gay. When I interviewed him in 1993 he openly referred to his mate. I don't think he tries to hide it, he just doesn't shout it to the rooftops.

[nmelchor247]

@butchboy13 hello boy people do not want to hear that i knew he was and it never made a difference to me but some get pretty upset over that fact

[butchboy13]

@nmelchor247 I know, people are so odd, what's the big deal? I'm so glad that I was raised to respect the human being and not judge the  life NATURE gave anyone. No matter what anyone says--homosexuality is NOT a choice but a natural part of humanity. It occurs in every single living thing on this planet, from plants to animals to sea life.

[nmelchor247]

@butchboy13 thank you for writting me back and you are a great guy as far as i am concerned a lot of people are so intolerant and it really is a shame i will always love this man no matter what he does probably the only man i have ever felt that way about i think he is THE MAN what a portrayal his vampire barnabus was absolutely the best no one compares

[MysticLady2011]

@butchboy13 Where can we find a copy of that alleged interview?

[nmelchor247]

great dimples he has

[tigermark64]

"Take A Bite", Johnathan, you've got the fangs!

[MrRedFredSaid]

wow, he looks sort of like mr. bean when he's not in character

[mcw2112]

great vid - thanks for uploading

[MrsChristopherAsher]

He will always be my older protective brother.

[OrmEmber]

LOL! Did you see how fascinated the blonde girl was by Frid? She was literally licking her lips while watching him at one point.

"This episode of Dark Shadows brought to you by Endust!" I half expected Frid to come on in character and say "Yes.... it reeeallly gets your

coffin clean!"

[friendofgaara]

@OrmEmber *laughs* That would be funny and totally something Barnabas would say. And it goes with the commercial.

[SpiderHacksaw]

Burton and Depp will most likely ruin Dark Shadows. Depp doesn't fit and isn't that great of an actor. He can play weird but that's it. And Burton destroyed Planet of the Apes. I'm more irritated than excited about this and hope they don't jack it up.

[zenarcade64]

Spider, I don't like remakes myself. I mean those people have talent; I just think they should do something original with it. Dark Shadows has already been done, and done well, so why remake it except to cash in on it?

[Beccalotte1021]

@zenarcade64 I on the contrary am excited about it. Depp and Burton were both fans of the show growing up and who knows that may have been a major influence on them. I think that as true fans of the show they'll know how to approach it. And as a team they rarely dissapoint.

[chadster37]

@SpiderHacksaw

I am not impressed with Tim Burton's work lately. If he ruins Dark Shadows I think I am done with him.

[caprice6]

@SpiderHacksaw, my hope for the remake with Burton, Depp that cause the original Dark Shadows to be back on TV, Books reprinted.

[debzeppeliniv]

@SpiderHacksaw Depp did a good Pirate aka Keith Richards, would do a good Keith in a Stones bio, good as the Blow character, but these were new creations, he sux in remakes, I can't stand Tim Burton, horror is like a cartoon to him, defo not HORROR, silly kid's stuff. wont waste my money on the movie in anyway, IF I watch it, it will be their "dime" not mine, lol

[BehindCurtain1]

@SpiderHacksaw Depp can only play weird? You obviously haven't seen Blow, Donnie Brascoe, FInding Neverland, Public Enemies, Nick of Time ect. Think before you post.

[SpiderHacksaw]

@BehindCurtain1

I'll give you Finding Neverland, But for myself, Depp's most brilliant work is "Fear and Loathing" and

"Ed Wood." I was meaning to direct my comment more in the way of collaboration between Burton & Depp in everything but "Ed Wood" which was probably the best for both of them. Mentioning "Nick of Time is as bad as bringing up "The Astronaut's Wife." But everyone has a right to make a few crap films. Terribly sorry if I upset you Mrs. Depp, you have a lovely & talented son.

[sbergman27]

@SpiderHacksaw He did quite a good Sweeney Todd. I'm not one to look forward to remakes. It really is easy to ruin it. But I think Depp is probably a good choice.

[notmemate]

@sbergman27 Depp had credibility but that's long gone after playing essentially the same character for his last six or so films.

He'll massacre the part like the hack he's sadly become

[MrsChristopherAsher]

I love him.

[nmelchor247]

he is just georgeous

[Nergaladdictchic]

I know, right? He is so gorgeous. If I were back then and at an appropriate age instead of almost 16, I would take him out. ;)

[nmelchor247]

i know what you mean ive had a mad crush on him for years

[Beccalotte1021]

i'm glad that Burton and Depp and uniting to do this. They were fans of the show and they know what the fans want to see.I can't wait!

[ifmaribel]

a great actor!

[TheMidnightBell07]

Hey, he's Barnabas even on the Merv Griffith show lol. I doubt if you could get a ruler between Jonathan and the lady and she doesn't seem to be the least bit uncomfortable by the close proximity lol.

[zephyrvidar1]

I think what I like about this clip most is Merv Griffin's description of the show and its effect on the audience and American culture. Since I was born in 1985, I don't know what it was like back then. Whenever I read the stories of kids "running home from school to watch the show, etc. etc., it sounded more like bias from a fan. I'm glad to see more of a confirmation in this interview.

[fanorama1]

My brother, sister and I would get hysterical if something like a doctor's appointment, or even a fun family outing, interfered with our ability to see the show.

[Oddwun]

That Barbara chick didn't move over, lol. I wonder if she never saw a talk show before or if she is just that full of herself.

[SOLE2SOUL]

This was something that was individual to Merv's show. He never asked a lady to move over when a male guest followed her. I guess he thought that was some sort of politeness. In retrospect, it puts the female guest in a very awkward position of having to be "talked over".

[celticthunderfan52]

Great clip. Jonathan Frid will always be Barnabas Collins and I can't see Johnny Depp in this role. Why don't they just give up. Nothing will compare to the old series and you'd think they'd realize that when the new series bombed in the 80's.

[silversofva]

I know , I'd rather see Mr.Bean or Christopher Walken play Barnabas than Johnny Depp

[Beccalotte1021]

There was no series in the 80's. i think your refering to the 90's series. And anyways that series failed because of the gulf war that broke out during the time.

[BarnabasFrid]

Yum.

[goofygoat2009]

George Clooney anyone?

[Noveltooner]

"From The Little Theatre off Times Square, it's THE MERV GRIFFIN SHOW!and now, here's the dear boy himself, MERVYN!" (R.I.P. Arthur Treacher & Merv Griffin). When the show moved from Metromedia syndication to CBS, it moved uptown to the larger Cort Theater. However, after Merv's son was beaten up and mugged in the filthy and crime-ridden New York of the 1970s, he followed Carson to L.A. and stayed there after returning to Metromedia. Today, The Little is the second Helen Hayes Theater.

[10xjava]

Bert Convey?! LOL!!!!

[caprice6]

Bert Convey was offered the role of Barnabas Collins, but when Jonathan Frid auditioned Dan Curtis had forgotten all about him.

[jsilence418]

Hamilton? I wonder if Barnabas was a tiger cats fan?

[nomisbehvn]

Ohmygosh.....it was so bad it was good! I never missed it after school! It has gone through all the years! Such a campy, great, fun show! Loved all the bloopers too!  Never realized how many things went wrong until I went back and looked at the shows! How hilarious!!

[madghee]

im still in LOVE with him

[nmelchor247]

so am i

[OrbinOz]

"that's right... coffee"

[aglistningvale]

Great to see this (gotta love YouTube for stuff like this). I've seen pictures from Jonathan Frid's appearance on this show, but never the interview itself, and it was fascinating to hear his veiws on the show and on "Barnabas." He really was a truly handsome man, so urbane and articulate. I enjoyed the little promo spot at the end, too, the coffee-thing was a neat touch.

[conchaperez]

I loved this show as a child, and I used to run home from school so that I would catch the opening credits. I have rewatched it as an adult on the old Sci-Fi channel in the 90's and had a dark ball enjoying it. What a great series and thank you, Dan Curtis...Sincerely, Angelo.

[antiann52]

I thought Jonathan Fried was the bomb. He was sexy, cool, sophisticated and just made me shiver. If I'm not mistaken I think he is still living, 'm I not sure though. Anyway, he was a very sexy vampire.

[marlo1942]

Jonathan Frid is still alive. He's 84 years old. :-)

[castingtherunes]

No, he's 184 years old :-)

[sgrroiii]

Ironically , Rocky Graziano was originally offered the role of Barnabas Collins & turned it down.

[freetobe08]

Wonder which actress was afraid to get into the coffin, as he mentioned?

[wanderingspiritist]

many thanks so much for this video. I deeply appreciate Dark Shadows and Jonathan Frid.

[ImhotepRamses]

i remember this show as well... late 60's

[audiophile55]

He looks like Mr. Bean!

[DavidHenesy]

awsome!

[garpswelt]

So, Barnabas was a man with a 'hungup.' Years later, I heard Mr. Frid at a Dark Shadows convention say he always played Barnabas not as a vampire, but rather as a man 'with a secret.' So many actors from the show, Joel Crothers, Louis Edmonds were actaully gay in real life, but had to live in the closet professionally. I wonder if that's what Mr. Frid was referring to. If so, it's too bad that even into his 80s, he still, perhaps, hasn't been honest with his fans.

[zenarcade64]

Well based on how he handles Barbara Bouchet here, on his huge throng of girl fans during DS, and on his general demeanor, I'd say you were wrong, but what do I know.

[BarnabasFrid]

@zenarcade64

Very little. Based on the photo of Jon with Louis on Fire Island...

[gotch09]

@garpswelt So is he still alive. And we have to remember that even in the late 60s being outted as gay was a career death sentence, so you think he may have been gay? Never in a millions years would that have crossed my mind. But I was still very naive when this program was on the air.

[FridFemmeFan]

@garpswelt Ever hear of privacy? Mr. Frid is a wise man to keep the focus on his work and career, as it should be.

[Madeleine62572]

@FridFemmeFan I think you're right on track. From the interview with Jonathan and his mother ("My Son the Vampire," webspace.webring.com), privacy is mentioned several times. It was an important value in their family. From his website, "For some years, he left the business to pursue other interests, to travel (a year in Mexico), and to simply enjoy his privacy once more."

[Bela195401]

Edmonds was gay, but Crothers certainly was not. In fact he was engaged to be married at the time of his death.

[HattieLovesCattie]

@garpswelt They say Merv G was gay.As for Frid,hard to tell really.He has said he lives like a monk and a priest,asexual would be more like it.

[Englishlass]

@garpswelt I hope that isn't the reason. He has stated that the secret was his being a vampire.

[valjazz]

Damn! He was sexy

[GrvYrdTrn]

He cut a very trim figure and was very gentlemanly. I'd like to see the Dick Cavett interview where he does a Shakespeare reading--I remember seeing that at the time--surely, it exists somewhere. Ha, ha...how appropriate those last two commercials: one for Mrs. Johnson/Willie/Magda and one for all the creatures of the night after the midnight munchies!

[BaronVonBlixberg]

"Please, don't be so cruel to Willie...I overheard him say, one day, very nice things about you..." I love the way Mr. Frid delivered that line..it is so funny how he says it as if he were the boy himself saying it. He is such a gifted actor...one of my favorites! Thanks for posting this! :)

[GrvYrdTrn]

He is expressive with voice, face, and hands. Much more animated, here, than the very reserved Barnabas. He tells great stories. That one about Willie is one of my favorites. I love his recognition of his hometown and the audience response. He always looked great in those grey suits, too. Altogether, a perfect spokesman for the role and the show.

[14icedtambourines]

i had no idea that "females can't get into coffins"