Cheap Scream, Blacula, Scream! (DVD) (Bob Kelljan) Price

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Customer Reviews of Scream, Blacula, Scream!

Soul Cinema Dracula.
Sometimes a movie perplexes the senses and boggles what little mind we have left. The unwary, first-time viewer may respond, "What vision is this?" Never fear. The clunking noise in the background is only Bela Lugosi spinning in his grave. This serving of unlikely camp is a treat. Before you flee the culture shock, take time to see the gothic horror in the forest of dashikis, exaggerated hairstyles, and platform shoes. William Marshall is smooth and menacing as Blacula, the bad '70s vampire. As bloodlust rages, he is hirsute and bestial. In calmer moments, Marshall's dignified demeanor and deep voice is the right touch. His resurrection, of thunder and voodoo juju, rivals the best of Christopher Lee. Pam Grier is cast as a reluctant shaman. Blacula seeks her help in releasing him from eternal torment. The moans and sweaty faces of their exorcism ritual suggest snarling sexuality. Two jive-talking, tacky turkeys accost Blacula on the street and demand "bread." His response bloodies the sidewalk. Blacula commands a coven of undead victims, all with identical, peculiar neck wounds. Blacula and his minions hole up during the day in a mansion that one of his funky disciples is housesitting. In a bizarre development that mortifies a meek amazon reviewer, a nearby broken fence provides an ample supply of wooden stakes. A battle of cops and vampires rages, and it takes days to count the dead. Legendary B movie mogul Samuel Z. Arkoff is the executive producer of this American International epic. Who wants reality TV? The blood is the life! ;-)

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Blacula returns
I personally feel that William Marshall did an outstanding performance as Blacula, although I feel this was a step down for him as an actor at the time. He had far better to offer us from the stage and screen. But given the era, I suppose one couldn't be too picky for roles. I thought both films Blacula and Scream Blacula were quite chilling. The sequel however, had I think too much humor whether intentional or not to take the story line seriously throughout. There was one scene that was chilling for me and the background music with the lightning and thunder added to the eerieness. Pam's character sat with her friend who died and she rose from the casket as one of the undead only moments before looking peaceful. She beckons to Pam's character(quite eerie) and Blacula appears with booming thunder in the room. Overall it's not a bad film and you feel for Blacula's situation. I think Pam tried too hard to be the "damsel in distress" as she played those tough girl characters in the early 70's also. But if you are a Pam Grier and William Marshall fan as I am, these films should be a part of your collection.

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More Bytes from the Dark Prince of Darkness!
In 1973's SCREAM, BLACULA, SCREAM!--an excellent sequel to BLACULA (1972), the first horror entry in AIP's "blaxploitation" line--William Marshall reprises his role as the aristocratic black vampire Mamuwalde (a.k.a. Blacula). Though he was killed by sunlight at the end of the first film, the vampire brother is resurrected when his bones are used as part of an evil voodoo rite. Realizing the preternatural potential of voodoo magic, the revivified Mamuwalde enlists the aid of a beautiful and powerful voodoo priestess (Pam Grier) in hopes of being forever freed from the curse of vampirism.

As before, actor Marshall's Shakespearean training and deep, rich, booming voice form the foundation of his outstanding performance as the sympathetic but dynamic titular character. In fact, this talented African-American actor brings dignity and intelligence to any role he plays--even off-beat characters like Blacula--and he has therefore appeared in numerous films and TV shows, including genre flicks like SKULLDUGGERY (1970), ABBY (1974), AMAZON WOMEN ON THE MOON (1987), and SORCERESS (1995); and genre TV shows such as the original THE MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E., classic STAR TREK (Dr. Richard Daystrom in the episode "The Ultimate Computer"), and THE WILD WILD WEST.

Also adding to the quality and entertainment value of SCREAM, BLACULA, SCREAM! is the portrayal of the voodoo priestess, Sarah, by the beautiful Pam Grier. Though famous for playing intelligent, strong, no-nonsense black women in other blaxploitation flicks of the 1970s, her character here is admittedly toned down compared to those other roles, but she still delivers a solid performance and is a wonderful compliment to Marshall.

Many of the other supporting actors also turn in some good performances. Don Mitchell appears as Justin, Sarah's boyfriend, and some viewers will quickly recognize him from his longtime role as Mark Sanger on TV's original IRONSIDE. Michael Conrad, later of HILL STREET BLUES fame, does a good job playing the skeptical Sheriff Dunlop, and Richard Lawson delivers some hilarious comic relief as Blacula's vampiric servant.

Any lover of low-budget 1970s horror will enjoy SCREAM, BLACULA, SCREAM. The special FX are endearingly cheesy--dig that animation in those vamp-to-bat and bat-to-vamp transformations--the acting is great, the women are pretty, and the plot offers just the right mix of laughs and chills. Though this one is not helmed by the same director as BLACULA--instead it's Bob Kelljan, who also directed the delightful COUNT YORGA vampire films--the same spirit and quality is maintained throughout, so anybody who enjoyed that first film will definitely want to see this better-than-average sequel.

The DVD edition of SCREAM, BLACULA, SCREAM from MGM--released as part of the company's "Soul Cinema" line, though it and its predecessor, BLACULA, could have just as easily fit in with MGM's "Midnite Movie" series--offers an anamorphic widescreen transfer in the original aspect ratio of 1.85:1, and it appears that the print used for the transfer was in excellent shape. No extras are offered other than the theatrical trailer, but the very reasonable price makes this flick painlessly accessible to any horror-film collector.