Blacula (1972)

An ancient African prince, turned into a vampire by Dracula himself, finds himself in modern Los Angeles.

Director:

William Crain

Writers:

Joan Torres (screenplay), Raymond Koenig (screenplay)

Stars:

William Marshall, Vonetta McGee, Denise Nicholas

1 win.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
William Marshall	...	Blacula / Mamuwalde
Vonetta McGee	...	Tina / Luva
Denise Nicholas	...	Michelle
Thalmus Rasulala	...	Dr. Gordon Thomas
Gordon Pinsent	...	Lt. Jack Peters
Charles Macaulay	...	Dracula
Emily Yancy	...	Nancy
Lance Taylor Sr.	...	Swenson
Ted Harris	...	Bobby McCoy
Rick Metzler	...	Billy Schaffer
Ji-Tu Cumbuka	...	Skillet (as Jitu Cumbuka)
Logan Field	...	Sgt. Barnes
Ketty Lester	...	Juanita Jones
Elisha Cook Jr.	...	Sam (as Elisha Cook)
Eric Brotherson	...	Real Estate Agent

Storyline

Blacula is the story of Mamuwalde, an African Prince. In 1780, after visiting Count Dracula, Manuwalde is turned into a vampire and locked in a coffin. The scene shifts to 1972, when two antique collectors transport the coffin to Los Angeles. The two men open the coffin and unleash Blacula on the city of Los Angeles. Blacula soon finds Tina, who is his wife, Luva, reincarnated, and gains her love. Tina's friend, Dr. Gordon, discovers Blacula is a vampire and hunts him down.

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Plot Keywords:

trailer narrated by adolph caesar | first part | electronic music score | dracula | vampire | 

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Taglines:

Warm, young bodies will feed his hunger, and hot, fresh blood his awful thirst!

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Genres:

Fantasy | Horror | Romance | Thriller

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Certificate:

PG

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

25 August 1972 (USA)

Also Known As:

Blacula - den sorte vampyr

Filming Locations:

6501 Yucca St, Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$500,000 (estimated)

Gross USA:

$2,180,000

Company Credits

Production Co:

American International Pictures (AIP),Power Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

93 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The film takes place in 1780 and 1972.

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Goofs

When Gordon and Jack arrive at the hospital where they confront the vampire woman taxi driver its the dead of night with no hint of sunrise. But moments later when they are struggling with the vampires the window blinds are pulled away and bright sunlight washes through the window, killing her.

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Quotes

Lt. Jack Peters: Who the hell would want a dead faggot?

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Connections

Referenced in Psych: This Episode Sucks (2011)

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Soundtracks

I'm Gonna Get You
Performed by The Hues Corporation
Written by Wally Holmes
Produced by Wally Holmes and Norman Ratner

User Reviews

William Marshall lifted this film...

...from the standards of Blaxploitation movies of the time. The movie itself is more comical than scary (which is why I love it), but William Marshall brought a sense of dignity to his role of Mamawalde. In fact, it was his idea to change the main character from a jive-talking Black vampire to a tormented former king with a rich and tragic past. In the end, you actually feel sorry for him. This is an underrated film that is much better than it's avertizements would suggest. Though it may not be the best vampire/horror flick in the world, and it takes liberty with historical facts (a slave trade in Transylvania?!) it does contain a rather touching love story. With that being said, I have to admit that this movie also contains some of the most hilarious dialogue I've heard in a monster movie.

"Hey, man, that's a baaad cape!"

"A bat! A BAT! A GIANT BAAAT!!"

"Hey, where's that big dude with the cape?......AAAAH!"

"Suddeny I find your Congnac to be as...distasteful as your manner!"

And a load of others that, for censorship reasons, I probably cannot repeat here.

I recommend this movie to anyone who wants to have a spooky, retro good time.