Love at First Bite (1979)

This vampire spoof has Count Dracula moving to New York to find his Bride, after being forced to move out of his Transylvanian castle. There with the aid of assistant Renfield, he stumbles ... See full summary »

Director:

Stan Dragoti

Writers:

Robert Kaufman (screenplay), Robert Kaufman (story),

Stars:

George Hamilton, Susan Saint James, Richard Benjamin

Nominated for 1 Golden Globe. Another 3 wins & 3 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
George Hamilton	...	Count Vladimir Dracula
Susan Saint James	...	Cindy Sondheim
Richard Benjamin	...	Dr. Jeffery Rosenberg / Van Helsing
Dick Shawn	...	Lt. Ferguson
Arte Johnson	...	Renfield
Sherman Hemsley	...	Reverend Mike
Isabel Sanford	...	Judge R. Thomas
Barry Gordon	...	Flashlight Vendor
Ronnie Schell	...	Guy in Elevator
Bob Basso	...	T.V. Repairman
Bryan O'Byrne	...	Priest
Michael Pataki	...	Mobster
Hazel Shermet	...	Mrs. Knockwurst (Lady in Elevator)
Stanley Brock	...	Erwin Newman (Cab Driver)
Danny Dayton	...	Billy

Storyline

This vampire spoof has Count Dracula moving to New York to find his Bride, after being forced to move out of his Transylvanian castle. There with the aid of assistant Renfield, he stumbles through typical New York city life situations while pursuing Cindy Soundheim. But her boyfriend, Doctor Jeff Rosenberg, realizes she is under the influence of a vampire, and tries his bumbling best to convince police Lt Ferguson of what is going on, and to help him stop Dracula.

---

Plot Keywords:

new york | vampire | dracula | new york city | city | 

---

Taglines:

Your favorite pain in the neck is about to bite your funny bone!

---

Genres:

Horror | Comedy | Romance

---

Certificate:

PG

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

27 April 1979 (USA)

Also Known As:

Dracula Sucks

Filming Locations:

5th Avenue, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA

Box Office

Gross:

$43,885,000 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Melvin Simon Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

94 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Sherman Hemsley:  As the preacher Reverend Mike.

---

Goofs

Ar one point, Dr. Rosenberg prefaces his comments to Cindy with the words, "The first time this happened..." A few seconds later he refers to another incident with the preface, "The time before that..." This is chronologically contradictory.

---

Quotes

[first lines]
Count Dracula: Children of the night, shut up!

---

Connections

References Paint Your Wagon (1969)

---

Soundtracks

"Dancin' Through the Night"
Words and Music by Charles Bernstein, Joe Long, Robbie Adcock, Steve Hines
Produced by Joe Long and Robbie Adcock for Rolling Coaster Productions
Disco Midnight - Mix by Richie Rivera

User Reviews

A rarity...a film with nary a distasteful moment!

Quite incredible this was made the same year as ALIEN. Seems a couple of generations earlier - a real throwback to 50's and 60's "family" movies.

Totally watchable and entertaining flick (which is somewhat MORE than can be said for Hamilton's follow-up, ZORRO THE GAY BLADE). The strength of the film lies in its principals. Hamilton as suave and out-of-the-20th-century-loop Count Vladimir Dracula, Susan St James in what was inarguably her best screen role as NY super model Cindy Sondheim, and ever-funny Richard Benjamin as Dr Jeffrey Rosenberg..a distant relation of Dr Van Helsing no less!

Both are in love with Cindy who is torn every which way emotionally, even allowing for her understandable concern as to the restrictive life of a bat in general. The interplay between Hamilton and Benjamin is often priceless. The film never really aims to be anything more than what it is - a lightweight romantic comedy with bite, and this becomes it well. Particularly cheerful little ending which adds pep!

Always to be remembered for the disco sequence and I LOVE THE NIGHTLIFE which still conjures up for me so vividly those dance-floor scenes. No way a masterpiece - simply a film which holds very pleasant memories for many people I imagine!