Jonathan Frid - Cameo Dark Shadows Movie

Burton, peering through his viewfinder, grunted. He didn’t say it, but everyone thought it: Depp’s Barnabas had the suffering, but not the shadow . Not the sad, fragile, otherworldly poetry that made the original a phenomenon.

The cameo was tiny. No lines. In the finished film, during the grand ballroom sequence, as the camera pans over the guests, you see a distinguished, silver-haired man standing alone by the punch bowl. He’s holding a cup, not drinking. He’s watching the younger Barnabas—Johnny’s Barnabas—with an expression that is half-recognition, half-warning. He has no fangs. No make-up. He is simply there. An echo. jonathan frid cameo dark shadows movie

“Beautiful words,” Frid said softly. His voice was a low, rusted instrument. “But you’re playing the monster, Mr. Depp. The curse. The teeth.” He set down his tea. “You’ve forgotten to play the man.” Burton, peering through his viewfinder, grunted