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The shadows are lengthening over Derby as the city prepares to host the inaugural UK Dracula Film Festival from 20th to 22nd September. Coinciding with the centenary of the world’s first stage adaptation of Bram Stoker’s Dracula, which premiered in Derby in 1924, the festival promises a thrilling celebration of the legendary vampire’s cinematic journey.

Hosted at Quad, Derby’s renowned centre for art and film, the festival will showcase an eclectic mix of classic horrors, cult favourites, and rarely seen gems that trace the evolution of Count Dracula over the past hundred years. From Bela Lugosi’s iconic portrayal in the 1931 Dracula—a performance influenced by the Derby stage version—to the blaxploitation twist of Blacula and its sequel Scream Blacula Scream, the lineup offers something for every taste.

For fans of the unusual, the festival dives into the weird and wonderful with screenings like Billy the Kid vs Dracula,...

Get ready for a spooky night of thrills and chills with the latest episode of “Svengoolie” titled “Scream, Blacula, Scream.” As the clock strikes 8:00 Pm this Saturday on MeTV, viewers are in for a spine-tingling journey into the realm of horror.

In this installment, the legendary vampire Blacula returns from the grave through the dark arts of voodoo, unleashing terror upon a quiet community nestled in the Louisiana backcountry. With an insatiable thirst for blood, Blacula prowls the night, striking fear into the hearts of all who dare to cross his path.

As the townsfolk grapple with the horrors that unfold before them, they must band together to confront the ancient evil that threatens to consume them all. But with Blacula’s powers growing stronger by the hour, the odds of survival seem increasingly slim.

Join Svengoolie and his faithful audience as they embark on a hair-raising adventure filled with suspense,...

The highly anticipated Blacula reboot, based on the 1972 blaxploitation horror movie, is scheduled to release around Halloween 2024. Deon Taylor, known for his work on Fear and Meet the Blacks, will be directing the reboot from a screenplay he co-wrote. This will be the third entry in the Blacula franchise, following the original movie and its 1973 sequel Scream Blacula Scream, starring Pam Grier.

The Blacula reboot has reportedly set a release window. The movie is an update of the iconic 1972 blaxploitation horror movie, which starred William Marshall as Mamuwalde, an African prince who was transformed into a vampire by Count Dracula himself in 1780 and trapped in a coffin until he was released in modern-day America. The reboot was originally announced in 2021 with Fear and Meet the Blacks' Deon Taylor attached to direct from a screenplay he co-wrote with Micah Ranum.

Variety recently ran a piece on an upcoming 50th anniversary screening of Blacula.

More than two years have passed since it was announced that MGM, Bron, and Hidden Empire Film Group were teaming with director Deon Taylor to conjure up a reboot of the 1972 blaxploitation classic Blacula (watch it Here). Last night (and one year late), a 50th anniversary screening of Blacula was held at the Fine Arts Theater in Beverly Hills – and while promoting that event, Variety happened to include a long-awaited update on the Blacula reboot, saying the new film is slated for a Halloween 2024 release.

The new Blacula has been described as a “modern reimagining” of the original film, but Variety has also made it sound like it’s going to be a follow-up to Blacula and its sequel Scream Blacula Scream (watch that one Here). According to Variety, “the reboot picks up where the original saga left off, after the 1973 sequel Scream Blacula Scream, and will be set in...

Originally announced in 2021, a new take on 1972’s Blacula is on the way from MGM, Bron and Hidden Empire Film Group, with Deon Taylor (The Intruder) on board to direct.

In a new piece on Variety today, reporting on a 50th anniversary screening of the original classic taking place at the Fine Arts Theater in Beverly Hills on October 24, the site notes that the upcoming Blacula reboot movie is “slated for release next Halloween.”

Variety details, “The new film is a modern reimagining of the 1972 movie, directed by William Crain and starring William Marshall as Blacula.

“The reboot picks up where the original saga left off, after the 1973 sequel Scream Blacula Scream, and will be set in a metropolitan city post-coronavirus pandemic.”

Here’s the full logline for next year’s movie: “Blacula is an ancient African prince who is cursed by Dracula after he fails to agree to end the slave trade.

The African American Film Critics Association (Aafca) has teamed with independent film producers Roxanne and Deon Taylor to host a special Halloween screening of “Blacula,” commemorating the 1970s Blaxploitation classic’s 50th anniversary.

The screening will be held on Oct. 24 at the Fine Arts Theater in Beverly Hills, with the vampire classic shown in its original 35mm format.

The special event also comes ahead of the Taylors’ upcoming “Blacula” reboot, which is slated for release next Halloween. In 2021, Variety exclusively revealed that that film was in the works with Deon Taylor directing from a script he co-wrote with Micah Ranum. Roxanne Avent Taylor produced the new movie on behalf of Hidden Empire Film Group.

“We are creating an evening that transcends time as we bring together prestigious filmmakers and trailblazers to pay homage to this iconic classic,” said Deon Taylor. “‘Blacula’ was a celebration of storytelling that influenced Blaxploitation filmmaking.

Michael Jai White, the writer, star, and director of Outlaw Johnny Black, reveals that the film is part of a trilogy set in a specific time period, with one film being the comedic Western and the others being a Western homage and a horror movie. White co-wrote the film with Byron Minns, who also stars in the movie, and the two drew inspiration from Blaxploitation films like Blacula and Scream Blacula Scream. Michael Jai White, known for his acting roles, discusses how directing and producing come naturally to him and he enjoys multitasking and problem-solving, making it normal and enjoyable for him to juggle multiple roles in the production of Outlaw Johnny Black.

Who doesn’t like Tasty Freeze? It might be an obscure reference, and it’s definitely not a question about the Tastee-Freez fast food restaurant. No, it’s a nod to Arsenio Hall’s character in the 2009 film Black Dynamite.

A successful formula in horror is this: keep making what sells, but when the black ink begins to turn red, it may be time to tweak that formula. Come to think of it, “tweaking” may be a solid descriptor for Werewolves on Wheels (1971); this is a film that boasts not only bikers and werewolves, but a satanic cult behind it all! Can three genres and subgenres bump uglies and still provide coherent entertainment? Coherence? No. Entertainment? Most assuredly.

One could start with the title, getting the ball rolling on marketing, and as with most low budget bonanzas, delivering something not quite as good as one’s imagination. But recalibrated for that 1970s nihilistic molasses, it rides just fine.

Released in late November, WoW did well on the drive-in circuit and escaped critics’ wrath as just another second (or third) billed programmer. After all, the biker subgenre had been on fire...

Lock the doors. Turn on the lights. Check under the bed. Crank up the volume. It’s time for another Halloween Parade!

Please help support the Hollywood Food Coalition.

Click here, and be sure to indicate The Movies That Made Me in the note section so Josh can finally achieve his dream of showing Mandy to his wife!

Show Notes: Movies Referenced In This Episode

Scream Blacula Scream (1973)

Mandy (2018)

Carnival of Souls (1962) – Mary Lambert’s trailer commentary

Night Tide (1961) – Charlie Largent’s Blu-ray review

A Bucket Of Blood (1959) – Allan Arkush’s trailer commentary, Glenn Erickson’s DVD review, Glenn Erickson’s Blu-ray review

Dementia 13 (1963) – Mick Garris’s trailer commentary, Glenn Erickson’s Region B Blu-ray review, Glenn Erickson’s director’s cut Blu-ray review

The Godfather (1972) – Ernest Dickerson’s trailer commentary, Randy Fuller’s wine pairings

The Godfather Part II (1974) – Katt Shea’s trailer commentary

The Conversation (1974) – Josh Olson...

Pam Grier has boarded the Pet Sematary prequel in the works at Paramount+. The upcoming movie, which is still as of yet untitled, serves as a prequel to the studio's reboot that was released in theaters in 2019. Not much else has been revealed about the plot, but the prequel will delve into the origin story of the cursed graveyard that brings back the dead as something much more sinister than they were before.

As of now, details about Grier's role in the Pet Sematary prequel haven't been revealed. Several names have previously been announced for the cast, as it's been reported that Jackson White (Mrs. Fletcher) will play a young Jud Crandall, the elderly neighbor played by John Lithgow in the reboot and Fred Gwynne in the original Pet Sematary. The prequel also stars Forrest Goodluck (The Revenant), Jack Mulhern (Mare of Easttown), Natalie Alyn Lind (The Goldbergs), and Isabella...

Of all the reboots announced recently, probably one of the most surprising additions to the list is the Blaxploitation film of the 70s, Blacula. The 1972 cult horror movie, which starred William Marshall in the title role is reportedly being brought back by MGM, Bron and Hidden Empire Film Group for a whole new generation.

Variety reports that while being a reboot of the long dead franchise, the movie will actually serve as a new chapter in the story that began in Blacula and continued in its sequel,Scream Blacula Scream, which released the following year. The new movie will apparently updated the setting to a "metropolitan city post-coronavirus pandemic."

The Blacula reboot will be directed by Meet the Blacks and The Intruder's Deon Taylor, who will also be co-writing the script with Micah Ranum. In a statement, Taylor discussed why he feels it is the right time to reboot...

“Blacula” is leaving the coffin.

MGM, Bron and Hidden Empire Film Group’s Deon and Roxanne Avent Taylor are teaming up for a reboot of the blaxploitation horror classic.

The new film is a modern reimagining of the 1972 movie, directed by William Crain and starring William Marshall as Blacula. The reboot picks up where the original saga left off, after the 1973 sequel “Scream Blacula Scream,” and will be set in a metropolitan city post-coronavirus pandemic.

A description of “Blacula” teases how the movie will update the classic story, as it follows the vampire as he “thirsts for vengeance”:

Blacula is an ancient African prince who is cursed by Dracula after he fails to agree to end the slave trade. Blacula is entombed and awakens 200 years later ready to avenge the death of his ancestors and of those responsible for robbing his people of their work, culture and heritage as they appropriated it for profit.

Isidore “Izzy” Mankofsky, a longtime cinematography who worked on such films as The Jazz Singer, The Muppet Movie and Somewhere in Time and enjoyed a prolific career in TV, earning three Emmy nominations, has died. He was 89. The American Society of Cinematographers said he died March 11 but did not provide details.

He received the President’s Award from the American Society of Cinematographers in 2009 for his decades of leadership and service to the organization and was nominated three times for its ASC Awards: twice for Outstanding Achievement in Cinematography for a Miniseries or Special and once for Outstanding Individual Achievement in Cinematography for a Miniseries or Special.

Born on September 22, 1931, to Ukrainian immigrant parents in New York City and raised there and in Chicago, Mankofsky served in the Air Force before embarking on his showbiz career. He got his start behind the lens...

Isidore “Izzy” Mankofsky, who shot The Muppet Movie, Somewhere in Time and dozens of telefilms including the Farrah Fawcett-starring The Burning Bed, died Thursday, the American Society of Cinematographers announced. He was 89.

He also was the Dp on Richard Fleischer’s The Jazz Singer (1980) and two movies directed by Savage Steve Holland and starring John Cusack: Better Off Dead … (1985) and One Crazy Summer (1986).

A three-time Emmy nominee, Mankofsky got his start at Encyclopedia Britannica Films, then made his feature debut on the Aip sequel Scream Blacula Scream (1973), starring William Marshall.

In a 2009 interview, Mankofsky said in enjoyed working with Jim Henson and ...

Isidore “Izzy” Mankofsky, who shot The Muppet Movie, Somewhere in Time and dozens of telefilms including the Farrah Fawcett-starring The Burning Bed, died Thursday, the American Society of Cinematographers announced. He was 89.

He also was the Dp on Richard Fleischer’s The Jazz Singer (1980) and two movies directed by Savage Steve Holland and starring John Cusack: Better Off Dead … (1985) and One Crazy Summer (1986).

A three-time Emmy nominee, Mankofsky got his start at Encyclopedia Britannica Films, then made his feature debut on the Aip sequel Scream Blacula Scream (1973), starring William Marshall.

In a 2009 interview, Mankofsky said in enjoyed working with Jim Henson and ...

Writer, producer, director Lee Daniels discusses some of his favorite films with Josh & Joe.

Show Notes: Movies Referenced In This Episode

Infested (2002)

Shadowboxer (2005)

The United States Vs. Billie Holiday (2021)

A Star Is Born (1937)

Lee Daniels’ The Butler (2013)

Dawn of the Planet of the Apes (2014)

Lady Sings The Blues (1972)

Island In The Sun (1957)

Carmen Jones (1954)

Claudine (1974)

Mandingo (1975)

Drum (1976)

Caligula (1979)

Gloria (1980)

The Exorcist (1973)

Abby (1974)

Blacula (1972)

Scream Blacula Scream (1973)

Cabaret (1972)

Lenny (1974)

Sounder (1972)

All That Jazz (1979)

I Am A Camera (1955)

Travels With My Aunt (1972)

The Emigrants (1971)

Star 80 (1983)

Harold And Maude (1971)

The Godfather (1972)

The Godfather Part II (1974)

Pickup On South Street (1953)

In The Mood For Love (2000)

Leave Her To Heaven (1945)

Laura (1944)

Dragonwyck (1946)

The Baron of Arizona (1950)

His Kind of Woman (1951)

Explorers (1985)

Innerspace (1987)

Jack Reacher (2012)

Them (1954)

Revenge of the Creature (1955)

Tarantula! (1955)

Coogan’s Bluff (1968)

Going In Style (1979)

Going In Style (2017)

Judas And The Black Messiah (2021)

Stroszek (1977)

Fitzcarraldo (1982)

Land of Silence and Darkness (1971)

Cave Of Forgotten Dreams...

Sandy Dvore, the Emmy-winning graphic artist whose whose opening credit designs for such programs as The Young and the Restless, The Partridge Family and The Waltons are among TV’s most recognizable images, died Nov. 20 after a recent diagnosis of bone cancer. He was 86.

His death was announced by a family representative on Dvore’s official Instagram page. “He was at home where he wanted to be with [his dog] Kid and family,” according to the statement. “Someone was with him and holding his hand as he passed.”

Dvore, who studied at the American Academy of Art in Chicago, won an Emmy Award in 1987 for his main title design for the Carol Burnett special Carol, Carl, Whoopi and Robin. He was nominated for a Daytime Emmy in 1984 for the opening title credits of The Young and the Restless featuring his now-iconic brush stroke “Y&r” logo, but later said he was told that...

To take a sequel in a different direction is double edged: yes, the audience avoids a rehash, but stray too far and the filmmakers risk alienation. Thankfully, this isn’t an issue with Scream Blacula Scream (1973), the follow up to the preceding year’s surprise hit Blacula – it still (wisely) focuses on Prince Mamuwalde, while adding some fresh flavor and turning decidedly towards a gothic feel.

Released by Aip near the end of June, Sbs wasn’t nearly the hit that the first was; for some reason audiences stayed away despite promising more after hours bloodletting and groovy music. A pity then as Scream Blacula Scream is a better film than the original – slicker, funnier, and it gives titular (and returning) star William Marshall a chance to be even more menacing. It simply has more bite.

As our fair Prince was turned to dust in the original, we open in...

This Halloween season, the reel terror begins on October 21. On Saturday, October 21 at the Cinema Arts Centre in Huntington, New York, Retro Picture Show presents the 2017 Halloween Horrorthon, an all-night marathon that will include 35mm screenings of House of 1000 Corpses, Scream Blacula Scream, Psycho III, Tourist Trap and Frankenstein and the […]...

(Aotn) Turner Classic Movies is bringing the horror next month. Starting on October 1st the channel will be bringing back movies such as the original Cat People and Dracula. Fan’s of classic movies will surely not want to miss this.

If you have ever wanted to know where the band White Zombie got there name be sure to tune in on Halloween morning at 8:30 Am. The Universal Monster’s are sprinkled throughout this marathon and will hopefully delight old school horror fans.

Complete Schedule Below:

Sunday October 1, 2017

8:00 Pm Dracula (1931) 9:30 Pm Dracula’s Daughter (1936) 11:00 Pm Son Of Dracula (1943)

Monday October 2, 2017

12:30 Am Nosferatu (1922)

Tuesday October 3, 2017

8:00 Pm Frankenstein (1931) 9:30 Pm Bride Of Frankenstein (1935) 11:00 Pm The Mummy (1932)

Wednesday October 4, 2017

12:30 Am The Wolf Man (1941) 2:00 Am Island Of Lost Souls (1933) 3:30 Am The Black Cat (1934) 4:45 Am The Invisible Man (1933)

Sunday October 8, 2017

2:00 Am Night...

Aip’s vampiric contribution to the prevailing blaxploitation avalanche of the 1970s benefits from the casting of stentorian Shakespearian actor William Marshall, who manages to retain his dignity in some very tacky situations. Successful enough to spawn a sequel, Scream Blacula Scream.

MoreHorror.com

August is upon on us and Comet TV has a lot of things going on.

With classics like Invasion of the Body Snatchers, An American Wolf in London, and Vampire’s Kiss, Comet TV has something for everyone.

Check out the Comet TV August Guide with the films you can only see streaming on Comet TV below.

Vampire’s Kiss (1973)

Friday, August 4 at 8P/7C

Saturday, August 5 at 8P/7C

Wednesday, August 16 at 6P/5C

Friday, August 25 at Noon/11C

Steel Dawn (1987)

Friday, August 11 at 8P/7C

Saturday, August 12 at 8P/7C

Sunday, August 20 at 4P/3C

Thursday, August 24 at 6P/5C

An American Werewolf in London (1981)

Friday, August 18 at 8P/7C

Saturday, August 19 at 8P/7C

Sunday, August 27 at 4P/3C

Thursday, August 31 at 6P/5C

Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1978)

Friday, August 25 at 8P/7C

Saturday, August 26 at 8P/7C

Wednesday, August 30 at 5:30P/4:30C

1984 (1985)

Wednesday,...

As the ‘60s gave way to the ‘70s, vampires on film were stuck in a rut of crumbling castles and cotton candy cobwebs. It was time for an update; to rid the screen of the stagecoaches and street lamps. It was time for Count Yorga, Vampire (1970), a fun little romp brought into the modern age by a world class turn from Robert Quarry as the titular bloodsucker.

Yorga was released by American International Pictures (we’re back in Aip territory – and it’s a glorious place to be) in June stateside, with a rollout around the world shortly thereafter. But that wasn’t the easiest thing to do; the filmmakers had to submit Yorga a few times to the MPAA to achieve their desired rating – a Gp (equivalent to a PG at the time), which they eventually received. And wouldn’t you know it? The film was very successful, especially on the drive-in circuit.

Arrow Video announced the UK release of The Count Yorga Collection on Blu-ray and DVD. Also in today’s Highlights: a look at six preview pages from the hardcover edition of the Dead Vengeance comic and DVD and Digital HD release details for Sean K. Robb’s Scars.

The Count Yorga Collection UK Blu-ray / DVD Release Details & Cover Art: From Arrow Video: “Updating the vampire mythos to early 1970s Los Angeles, these much-loved cult classics star Robert Quarry (Dr. Phibes Rises Again) as the svelte Count Yorga, living in a mansion in the southern California hills with his equally mysterious “brides”. Introducing himself as a mystic from Bulgaria who’s an expert on séances, his true nature is given away by the title of his first film, Count Yorga, Vampire, long before the hapless Donna (Donna Anders, Werewolves on Wheels) and her friends discover the truth.

The sequel, The Return of Count Yorga,...

Before grindhouse director Bob Kelljan turned exclusively to television by the late 1970s, he had accidentally carved out a small triptych of derivative American vampire flicks, beginning with his first solo effort, 1970’s Count Yorga, Vampire. The actor turned director initially starred in his first co-directed effort, the incest drama Flesh of My Flesh (1969), but the success of his Dracula rip-off would carry on to a 1971 sequel before assuming duties for the Blaxploitation sequel Scream Blacula Scream (1973). Initially conceived as a soft-core porno, Kelljan eventually crafted this into a sort of Bram Stoker parody, although not everyone involved in the production seemed to be aware of this.

With his coffin arriving on a boat, Count Yorga (Robert Quarry) is relocated to modern day Los Angeles where he poses as a medium, holding swank séances at parties conceived by bored suburbanites. He’s invited to Donna’s (Donna Anders) home to...

With Halloween is almost upon us, I’ve decided to revisit a piece I wrote 2 Halloweens ago, if only because it’s interesting (well, at least I think it is), but also that, for some reason, the actual video of the full film was removed. But it's turned up online again, for those who missed it the first time. When it comes to black horror films, admittedly, there really aren’t that many. Yes there’s schlock like "Dr. Black and Mr. Hyde," "Black Frankenstein," "Blacula" and its sequel "Scream Blacula Scream," "J.D.’s Revenge" and the immortal "Exorcist" rip-off "Abby" that needs a special article all its own...

Coffy/Foxy Brown/Friday Foster

Coffy and Foxy Brown written and directed by Jack Hill

Friday Foster written by Orville H. Hampton, directed by Arthur Marks

USA, 1973/1974/1975

Olive Films recently released several Blaxploitation titles on Blu-ray for the first time, all on the same day. This included the Fred Williamson-starring Hammer, from 1972, as well as three Pam Grier films: Coffy (1973), Foxy Brown (1974), and Friday Foster (1975). Hammer isn’t a particular favorite, but these latter three were most welcome, especially Coffy, which is quite possibly the greatest of all Blaxploitation features, even better than the more popular Shaft (1971) and Super Fly (1972). As much as anything, these three releases are notable for showcasing Grier at her finest during a period of immensely enjoyable work and exceptional productivity—15 films from her minor debut in Beyond the Valley of the Dolls (1970) to Friday Foster. Around these films, she also starred in several other...

Here are your new releases for March 3rd, 2015:

Blacula / Scream Blacula Scream. Shout Factory. 1972-1973.

The eternally cool William Marshall puts a fresh spin on the age-old legend of the vampire, condemned to wander the Earth with an insatiable lust for blood in these riveting Blaxploitation classics. In 1780, African Prince Mamuwalde (Marshall) pays a visit to Count Dracula in Transylvania, seeking his support in ending slave trade. Instead, the evil count curses his noble guest and transforms him into a vampire! Released from his coffin nearly two centuries later by a pair of luckless interior decorators, Mamuwalde emerges as “Blacula, “, one strange dude strollin’ the streets of L.A. on a nightly quest for human blood! Blacula lives! The scintillating sequel, Scream, Blacula, Scream, pits voodoo power against vampire fury! Willis Daniels (Richard Lawson), the son of a late high priestess, seeks revenge on the cultists who have chosen...

An 18th century prince-turned-vampire awakens in 1970s Los Angeles and discovers his new digs are brimming with fresh necks in need of chomping. Elsewhere, in the dystopian future, a war is waged Mad Max-style for the most precious resource: water. On March 3rd, viewers can dive into the cinematic worlds of Blacula, Scream, Blacula, Scream, and Exterminators of the Year 3000 with Scream Factory's Blu-ray releases of the trio, with the former two coming together on a double feature. Ramping up anticipation and teasing the high-definition upgrades are a batch of clips and trailers from all three movies:

Exterminators of the Year 3000:

"In a post-apocalyptic future where the earth is a desert and water is the most precious substance of all, a band of survivors must turn to a mysterious stranger to battle a ruthless gang of motorcycle psychos for control of the wasteland and the water. A glorious crash of guns,...

Throughout the month of October, the folks at Scream Factory gave horror hounds plenty of treats with a slew of new Blu-ray title unveilings and now they are kicking off December with another gift for fans: two new title announcements and updated release dates for a bunch of Blu-rays, including the long-awaited Collector’s Edition of Dog Soldiers and the Blacula / Scream, Blacula, Scream double feature.

Scream Factory plans to release the delayed Collector’s Edition Blu-ray of Dog Soldiers on March 10th, while Blacula / Scream, Blacula, Scream is scheduled to come out on Blu-ray on March 3rd.

In addition to their Italian exploitation double feature of Exterminators of the Year 3000 and Cruel Jaws (slated for a March 3rd Blu-ray release), Scream Factory is bringing the Tom Sizemore-starring Dark Haul to Blu-ray on March 10th. We have Scream Factory’s official announcement with full details and a look...

Urban action and fatal attraction give rise to a groove from beyond the grave in this funkadelic, fangadelic blaxploitation double-bill from Eureka Entertainment, which sees the eternally cool William Marshall put a fresh spin on the age-old legend of the vampire, condemned to wander the earth with an insatiable lust for blood as Blacula.

Produced at the height of the blaxploitation era, the Blacula movies are the perfect blend of genre and social film making, the types of which hadn’t been seen before… or since!

Blacula (1972)

Stars: William Marshall, Vonetta McGee, Denise Nicholas, Thalmus Rasulala, Gordon Pinsent, Charles Macaulay, Emily Yancy, Ted Harris, Rick Metzler | Written by Joan Torres, Raymond Koenig | Directed by William Crain

In 1780, African Prince Mamuwalde (Marshall) pays a visit to Count Dracula in Transylvania, seeking his support in ending the slave trade. Instead, the evil count curses his noble guest and transforms him into a vampire!

Since Halloween is almost upon us, I’ve decided to revisit a piece I wrote last Halloween, if only because it’s interesting (well, at least I think it is), but also that, for some reason, the actual video of the full film was removed. But I’ve found another video of it. However, when it comes to black horror films, admittedly, there really aren’t that many. Yes there’s schlock like "Dr. Black and Mr. Hyde," "Black Frankenstein," "Blacula" and its sequel "Scream Blacula Scream," "J.D.’s Revenge" and the immortal "Exorcist" rip-off "Abby" that needs a special article all its own. Instead, I want to take a...

Small video labels lack the reach and recognition of the much bigger studios, but they have advantages when it comes to the content. Chief among them is that instead of simply pushing a new product line they’re able to hand-pick titles for release — new, old, cult classics or forgotten gems. They’re curating an affection for movies, and two of the best from across the pond are Arrow Video and Eureka! Entertainment. Neither label is a stranger to genre films, and this month sees them each bringing some ’70s-style horror into the world of high definition with new Blu-ray releases. Arrow is giving the HD treatment to David Cronenberg’s first feature film, Shivers (aka They Came From Within) while Eureka! is putting out a double feature of Blacula and Scream Blacula Scream. Shivers (1975) Starliner Island is a full-service community intentionally removed from the hustle and bustle of a busy world, and...

It was this past August when I reported the news that both the 1972 horror blaxploitation classic "Blacula," and the 1973 sequel "Scream Blacula Scream," were finally coming, remastered, to blu-ray/DVD this month (Here). The catch, however, was that it was coming out only in the U.K., from British video label, Eureka Entertainment, which meant that the discs would be Region B. What that means is, unless you own a multi-region blu-ray DVD player, viewers here in States would be unable to watch it (since, by some secret agreement between DVD player manufacturers and videos labels) domestic DVD players are “locked” Region A. But I added this caveat:...

Eureka Entertainment unveiled its slate of upcoming titles for the fourth quarter of 2014 earlier today, and it's a magnificent selection of additions to their Masters of Cinema series, as well as a fang-tastic blaxploitation boxset to join their growing selection of Eureka Classics.October sees the release of Fellini's little-known masterpiece I Clowns and Suzuki Seijun's yakuza classic Youth Of The Beast both join the Masters of Cinema series in stacked dual-format releases. Also that month, Blacula - The Complete Collection hits the shelves just in time for Hallowe'en. 1972's Blacula and its sequel Scream Blacula Scream, both starring William Marshall, will be released together in a dual-format set on the company's burgeoning Eureka Classics label.In November and December, Masters of Cinema fans will be spoilt...

[Read the whole post on twitchfilm.com...]...

Don Mitchell, co-star in the original Ironside television series, died of natural causes at his Encino, Calif., home on Dec. 8, according to the Los Angeles Times. Mitchell was 70.

In the NBC series, which ran from 1967 to 1975, Mitchell played Mark Sanger, the ex-con-turned-aide and bodyguard to Raymond Burr’s wheelchair-bound titular character, Robert T. Ironside. Mitchell reprised the role of Sanger in the 1993 reunion special, the TV film The Return of Ironside.

Blair Underwood starred in a short-lived revamping of the series, which aired on NBC earlier this year.

Mitchell's other television credits include appearances on CHiPs, Wonder Women, McMillan & Wife, I Dream of Jeannie and the soap opera Capitol. He also starred in the 1973 blaxploitation movie Scream Blacula Scream, also featuring Pam Grier and William Marshall.

Mitchell is survived by two daughters from his second marriage to actress Judy Pace.

–Molly Trinkoff

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So as we go down our Halloween Countdown list, yesterday I reconsidered the-not-even-remotely classic 1974 Exorcist rip-off Abby and, as you know me by now, I try as much as I can to avoid the obvious. When everyone goes right I go left. I could have talked about Blacula or its sequel Scream Blacula Scream or J.D.’s Revenge, but I want to take a look at the 1942 “race” film Lucky Ghost, starring Mantan Moreland and F.E. Miller. The film is one of countless "race" movies made during the silent era to the late 40’s, aimed exclusively at black film going audiences, and it was directed by veteran B (and zero budget) movie director William Beaudine, who had maybe one of the most...

Get ready for 10 truly terrifying nights when Washington, D.C.’s Spooky Movie International Horror Film Festival haunts the AFI Silver Theatre on Oct 10-19 for the fest’s 8th annual edition.

Things really jolt alive on the 10th with the Opening Night film Willow Creek, a surprising genre entry by comedian-turned-director Bobcat Goldthwait, who tells the tale about a couple of amateur Bigfoot hunters who get in way over their heads in the woods. Goldthwait will be on hand for a post-screening Q&A moderated by Film Comment‘s Laura Kern. Also playing on this opening night are a program of scary short films and the feature An American Terror, a post-Columbine fright flick by Haylar Garcia.

As for the other nine nights, sticking true to the “International” in the fest’s name are movies such as the Ireland/France/Sweden co-production Dark Touch by Marina de Van about...

Both Dracula and Blacula feed off the blood of the living and do not die with the passing of time. They can change their form and have the strength of many men. But who is the most powerful Which monster would you least like to meet in the night Which vampire is the true Prince of Darkness They both differ slightly from Bram Stokers original novel but share a huge appetite for blood. Looking at Christopher Lees first two adaptations and William Marshalls Blacula franchise both vampires are destroyed in the first and reincarnated by the second. A good vampire needs an (un)willing servant to do this Dracula has Klove in Dracula Prince of Darkness 1966 directed by Terence Fisher and Blacula has Willis in Scream Blacula Scream.

If you're going to be near the Chinese Theaters in Hollywood this week, be sure to pop in on Wednesday to enjoy Mad Monster's screening of Blacula featuring a Q&A with cast members Denise Nicholas and Bob Minor. Sounds like a blast!

You can purchase tickets for Blacula at the Chinese Theaters here, and once you do, RSVP at the official Blacula event Facebook page for a free gift. Read on for all the details.

From the Press Release

Celebrate Black History Month with Mad Monster and Blacula, Dracula's 70’s Soul Brotha’, at the Chinese Theatres in Hollywood, Wednesday, February 13th at 9:00pm! The event will include a special Q&A with cast members Denise Nicholas who played "Michelle" and Blacula's stuntman, Bob Minor, moderated by author and film historian, Pat Jankiewicz, the last person to interview Blacula himself, William Marshall!

As always, there will be prize giveaways,...

Before getting into the penultimate edition of when comedy meets horror, let’s get into the honourable mentions.

Treevenge is a Canadian short film about Christmas trees getting revenge that has an evil dead attitude to gore, from the director of Hobo with a Shotgun. Feast, a siege movie starring Henry Rollins as a group of drinkers are hit by mysterious monsters, the film also boats as referential pallet for video games. Dead & Breakfast, a comedy horror musical in which a night at a local bed and breakfast turns into a supernatural fight to the death. Blacula and Scream Blacula Scream could be included, because if we learned anything from Black Dynamite, it’s that all Blaxploitation films are ripe for parody. There are countless other films that could be included; this endeavour could easily stretch to around the 150 films mark. Until tomorrow, the last one is The Cottage, a...

When Seth Grahame-Smith began to write the “Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter,” he didn’t let the epiphany of a wacky title affect his dead-serious alternate universe story -- our 16th President, leader of the people by day and slayer of the undead at night. Though he couldn’t have expected that the premise to catch the fancy of A-List filmmaker Tim Burton, who heard the title and experienced a brief flashback.

"When I heard about Seth's book, I heard the title and I said, 'I want to see this movie,' ” Burton said doing press rounds along with the director and cast. “It reminded me of when I used to see triple features [with titles] like ‘Scream Blacula Scream’ and ‘Dr. Jekyll And Sister Hyde.’ This seemed like a movie you'd see in Times Square.” Though Burton feels the most important element of the endeavor was a straight face. “I liked the...

Foxy: My Life In Three Acts, Pam Grier bio, to hit theaters

Actress Pam Grier (Foxy Brown, Coffy, The Big Bird Cage, Scream Blacula Scream, The Arena, Jackie Brown, Black Mama, White Mama) has an autobiography out. I had no idea, and I’m quite the Grier fan. Guess I’m also an idiot. The full title is Foxy: My Life In Three Acts, and it apparently deals with her life and career in quite an unvarnished fashion (the word “sensual” has been thrown around, so I’m guessing it might get a bit lurid. Not that there’s anything wrong with that). Well, the word is that the book has been optioned, and hopefully it might end up being a nice companion piece to Mario Van Peebles’ 2003 film about his filmmaker father Mario, Baadasssss!

Apparently to cover her “formative years,” the biopic (can we all just assume it will be called Foxy?...

Vampire-Con returns to the New Beverly Cinema for the third year running for two nights of classic vampire cinema. Originally created to include All fans of vampires, Vampire-Con continues its tradition of showcasing the best vampire movies in the world.

Here's this year's schedule:

Friday, June 3 - Totally 80’s Vampire Mash-up

7:30pm: Fright Night (1985) 9:30pm: Vampire's Kiss (1988)

Saturday, June 4 - Saturday Night Vampire Fever: Soul Brother Edition

7:30pm: Blacula (1972) 9:30pm: Scream Blacula Scream (1973)

New Beverly Info: 7165 West Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90036 (one block west of La Brea) - 323.938.4038

Costumes are strongly encouraged, and prizes will be given for the most creative. For a full rundown of what to expect along with ticket info, visit the official Vampire-Con website.

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Vamp out in the comments section below!

Yes, you read that right Blackenstein. After the success of American International’s 1972 Blacula with William Marshall (which later spawned its own sequel Scream Blacula Scream), some fly-by-night production company rushed into urban theaters this 1973 zero budget travesty about the black Frankenstein.

Of course it was ridiculed and laughed right out of the theaters, but it sure was a hell of a funny movie. I’m still laughing all these years later. Watch the trailer and tell me how can you not want to see this film, if not just to laugh your head off.

Tremors? Nightbreed? Sundown: The Vampire in Retreat? 976-evil? Are all on the list this year. And though there were not huge horror wins in sound editing through screenplays, the Technical Awards never cease to bring out the horror veterans. Notably Tim Drnec who contributed to such VHS classics as Alien Seed, Destroyer, and Prison won for his work on “Spydercam 3D volumetric suspended cable camera technologies.” An award also shared with Ben Britten Smith and Matt Davis who both also worked on Constantine.

But among all the winners, the Academy also honored some great loses in 2010. And though they mentioned some of our heroes, Dennis Hooper (Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2), Kevin McCarthy (Invasion of the Body Snatchers) and Dino de Laurentiis (King Kong), they did not mention Zelda Rubinstein or Corey Haim. But we will in this last section and the others lost to us last year.

So farewell fight fans and remember,...

After his electrifying performance as Blacula (1972), the great William Marshall was briefly considered a worthy successor to Christopher Lee's vampire king. A respected Shakespearean actor with an impressive theatre background, he was set to become a major horror star of the seventies, but like his fellow stage actor Robert Quarry, who achieved the same status as Count Yorga, his film career faded rapidly after the genre went through a radical re-think following the commercial success of The Exorcist (1973).

Marshall remained in New York to train in as an actor and director in Grand Opera and Shakespeare, although he had to support himself in a variety of jobs before making his professional stage debut. At 6ft 5inches, he was an impressively built, handsome, strong-featured actor with a booming bass baritone voice to match his towering presence. Not surprisingly, he quickly built up a formidable reputation as America's finest Shakespearean actor,...

Edward Cullen is without question the most iconic movie vampire of the 2000s. Critics cannot argue with that (go ahead, try to argue, critics; I’ll wait). However, many take issue with “The Twilight Saga’s” portrayal of vampires, complaining that it breaks many of the genre’s ”rules.”

While it’s true, does that really matter since it’s all fiction, anyway? And aren’t rules, as they say, meant to be broken? (Imagine if Batman still looked like this.) The answer depends on whom you ask.

In this week’s column, I compare Edward with his blood-sucking predecessors, matching him up with the most iconic film vampire from each era.The breakdown should give Twi-Hards a better understanding of the lineage “Twilight” draws upon… or choices to ignore. Use the information as you see fit: to defend Edward’s character, to criticize it, or to stock in your...

Congratulations to the Missouri Black Expo for securing such an amazing line-up of movie celebrities for this year’s convention. Missouri Black Expo is an organization whose mission is to provide attendees with exposure to outstanding resources to promote youth development, health education and awareness and community development. This year is their 19th annual expo and will take place at the America’s Center in downtown St. Louis this weekend, August 26 – 29. The Missouri Black Expo always brings an impressive line-up of guests from the worlds of sports, literature, politics, and entertainment. This year they’re bringing in a trio of film legends that would make any movie geek drool.

First up is acting legend Lou Gossett Jr. who was the first African-American to win the Oscar for actor in a supporting role when he did so for his unforgettable part as the tough-as-nails Gunnery Sergeant Emil Foley in the 1982 classic An Officer And A Gentleman.

Director William Girdler.s 1974 film Abby was a clone of The Exorcist with an all-black cast starring William Marshall, fresh off his triumph as Blacula, in the Max Von Sydow role. Shot for a meager $200k, Abby was an urban hit, grossing four million dollars in its first month of release. Apparently the powers-that-be at Warner Brothers, who had produced The Exorcist, thought Abby.s plot was too similar to that of their cash cow so successfully sued Girdler and the films distributor, American International. Aip was ordered to destroy all of their theatrical prints, and the film has never officially been licensed for home viewing. The Exorcist was the top grossing film of 1973 and spawned a virtual cottage industry of knock-off imitators, mostly from Europe, that flourished for the rest of the decade, so it seems an odd fate that Abby was singled out for legal punishment and remains...