Horror Movie A Day: Blacula

 

Today’s film is Blacula! The Black Avenger! According to the Trailer, Blacula is Dracula’s soul brother! Deadlier and More terrifying than Dracula!

 

William Marshall, The King of Cartoons, plays Prince Mamawalde of the Ibani tribe, an uppity negro who comes to Transylvania, spouting demands at Count Dracula. Talkin’ bout it’s time to abolish slavery, Count Drac, ya dig?  The Count outraged at the Prince’s defiance in the presence of white company, starts macking on the Prince’s wife right in front of him. The Prince was like, Have You lost your damned mind Drac? i ain’t gonna stand for this shit.  So Dracula takes a bite out of the Prince, seals him in a coffin never able to satisfy his bloodlust. He curses him with his name, and he shall forever be known As Blacula!

The movie picks up at least 100 years later in the swinging 70’s. Two gay antique dealers have just swooped in on a deal to buy Count Dracula's summer home. They find Blacula’s coffin and are excited about its kitschy value, they decide to crack it open. Blacula attacks them and in the process converts them into Vampires. Scientific Investigator Dr. Gordon Thomas, the films Black Van Helsing, starts investigating the strange murders happening around town. Because the victims are predominantly black he accuses the police of mishandling the investigation and overlooking the telltale signs of a vampire attack. The police try to blame the whole thing on gang activity and the Black Panthers. Eventually Blacula is drawn to young Tina, the spitting image or reincarnation of his African bride and also happens to be Dr. Thomas’ sister in law. Even though The good doctor has all sorts of PhD's and is a forensic super cop, what finally tips him off to the true identity of Blacula, is that nifty vampire cape Blacula’s wearing.  Armed with this knowledge Dr. Thomas must stop Blacula’s reign of terror and save young Tina.

This film is fantastic. It won the very first Saturn Award for best Horror film back in 1972.  Rated PG, It’s not that scary anymore, but it still has a decent plot, some creepy vampires, and great use of low budget special effects. It also has some top notch acting by the classically trained William Marshall, giving it his all in this absurd exploitation piece. The juxtaposition between William Marshall and characters such as Skillet the neighborhood playa is just bizarre

 

“Are we ready for our next Cartoon?”

The movie is far from perfect. The writing is full of cheap pops to get a rise out of the mostly black audiences. The trailer describes Blacula as the Black avenger, beating up on white cops. Maybe Blacula isn't such a bad guy after all, his only victims? Two gay guys and an annoying cab driver. He himself is the victim here, first by Dracula, and then by the police. After all they’re trying to kill him, and keep him away from his beloved Tina. One of the funniest things in the movie is that this 200 year old vampire prince from a remote African tribe, played by a  classically trained actor William Marshall, having to run away in fear from police sirens. Even Blacula has to run from the po-po.

I have to recommend this movie wholeheartedly to fans of Pee Wee’s Playhouse, Vampires, and Blaxploitation cinema. It's full of adventure and cheap pops. not to mention unintentional humor from the 1970’s era. Plus it also has a few firsts a Vampire of color and its the predecessor to modern Vampire films. While Blacula is an ancient, he’s still going around town, hitting the clubs and knocking boots with sexy chicks. Blacula, his Bite is Outta Sight.

I give it THREE nifty Vampire capes.