I just bought this DVD, as well as SCREAM, BLACULA, SCREAM (which I haven't watched yet, but I will comment on it later).
Anyway, BLACULA is a decent 70s horror/blaxploitation movie . . . and is a little better than you might expect.
William Marshall plays Manuwalde, an African prince cursed by the original Dracula in 1780. After almost 200 years, he is accidentally unleashed in the big city by two gay antiques dealers.
Blacula seems out of place, roaming the inner city and hanging out in a funky nightclub wearing a tuxedo and a cape. Most of the time, he looks like a normal human. However, when he is about to vampirize someone, he grows bushy sideburns and big, pointy eyebrows.
This movie has a typical 70s blaxploitation cast, including Thalmus Rasulala, Denise Nicholas, Vonetta McGee, and Jitu Cumbuka. The musical group "The Hues Corporation" (who had a big hit song called "Rock the Boat," which I used to own on a 45 R.P.M. record), appears live and sings a few good songs.
Also along for the ride is Elisha Cook, Jr. He plays a morgue attendant with a metal hook hand. The hook is obviously on top of his real hand, because it sticks too far out of his sleeve and just looks silly.
Up next: SCREAM, BLACULA, SCREAM.
William Marshall is excellent, and Manuwalde is an interesting character. It's too bad they're both not in a better movie.
Don't get me wrong. There are worse movies out there. And, I supose, I'm kind of fond of this one. But I can't say it's a Good Movie.
The worst moment, as far as I can remember, is when the heroes are surronded by vampires. They defend themselves by throwing kerosine lamps at them. With each hit, a vampire burns up.
Which would be okay, if any of the lamps were lit...
There are worst ways to spend a few hours than watching Blacula, and there are worst ways to spend your money. I just wish it wasn't such a waste of potential.
Cullen:
As for the scene with the kerosene lamps . . . it's also too bad that you can clearly see that one of the burning vampires is wearing as asbestos suit and mask!
Oh jeez. I must have missed that! What a movie! I think I might have to give it a few more points for that. (Or a few less... Depends on the scale...)
There were some silly things here and there, but I thought Marshall's acting and the generally decent story made the movie better than a lot of the other B-movies of the time.
SCREAM BLACULA SCREAM is a little bit sillier [some bad dialogue here and there] but Marshall still gives it his all.