Vexing Visitor: Scream Blacula Scream (1973)
My dear readers, while we Hauntedhouses are generally not confrontational by nature, we have been known to voice our fair share of public ire when it comes time to rallying around a worthy cause. This was certainly true of my distant uncle Osmond Hauntedhouse, a political firebrand who was particularly keen on the issue of religious freedoms. Though he fought for many underrepresented groups, he was most notably sympathetic to Patrons of The Forgotten Dawn. Members of this spiritual movement were upset about local mandates that forbade their pestilent animal husbandry and Osmond quickly made their cause his own. He had a history of drawing attention to the matters he promoted with showy publicity stunts and for the Patrons, he announced that he would encase himself in ice, putting his life on hold, as it were, until he could be thawed out in a world where the Patrons were not the subject of discrimination. Unfortunately, amid all the excitement this proclamation created, certain crucial details were neglected. Though Osmond successfully advertised his attitudes, he failed to mention the precise location where this exploit was to take place and while the Patrons of The Forgotten Dawn have since found a much greater degree of acceptance, to this date, no one has found Osmond.
Hunger tends to make Blacula a bit hirsute
Prince Mamuwalde (William Marshall) knows a thing or two about waiting around himself. Since the events of his first cinematic outing, the prince has been spending his time as an inanimate pile of bones and in this state, his prospects for future adventures look rather bleak. Luckily, his remains pass into the possession of Willis Daniels (Richard Lawson). Willis is the son of a recently deceased voodoo queen, and though his late mother did not name a successor, he insists that her former position should be his by birthright. The local voodoo community, however, prefers a democratic approach to selecting their superiors and they feel that Lisa Fortier (Pam Grier), a talented practitioner well-liked by the departed queen, is a much better choice. Admittedly, Willis does not seem particularly well suited for a leadership role, as he is somewhat rash and impulsive. This is perhaps why he tries to remove Lisa as a candidate by resurrecting an extinguished vampire. Having been promised unimaginable power by an elderly interloper, Willis recites an incantation that returns Mamuwalde to a far more active state.
Unfortunately, in a fairly serious setback to Willis’ personal goals, the newly restored Mamuwalde makes it quite clear that he is not interested in aiding his benefactor. To make matters worse, Willis is informed that Mamuwalde expects to make free use of both his house and services. This is a bit of an inconvenience, to be sure, but Mamuwalde is a formidable chap and he makes a truly compelling case for total obedience. And so, equipped with a residence and a manservant, the stately old vampire is free to galavant about Los Angeles. It is during one of his nocturnal strolls that he meets Lisa, who, in a roundabout sort of way, is responsible for his return. The new queen has some enigmatic allure on the fellow and he does his best to restrain himself in her presence, keeping his more human visage about him and refraining from any sudden displays of violent bloodletting. But he does not seem to hold others in similar esteem, and through his indiscriminate feasting a sizable trope of undead soon take residence in Willis’ abode.
Once assembled, Blacula’s victims fill the room rather quickly
Since the very early days of cinema, filmmakers around the globe have been absolutely scrambling to bring new versions of Brahm Stoker’s Dracula to the screen. Whole horror movies have been dedicated to his son, his daughter and his canine companion. There are those that link themselves to the original novel, and then there are films featuring Orloks and Yorgas and various other title-bearing, cape-wearing vampires who resemble the more familiar count without directly acknowledging Stoker’s contribution. But whether official or unlicensed, all of these films make an effort to be distinctive and by this measure, Scream Blacula Scream can be considered a roaring success. It presents this model of vampire as it has never been seen before -- as an inconsiderate houseguest. From the moment he enters Willis’ home, Mumwalde makes excessive demands of his host, takes off without any kind words of departure, returns unannounced and invites over whomever he pleases. He even stores a steadily growing army of undead minions in the cellar. I have had some trying visitors in my own time, to be sure, but even a prince might stretch my patience with such antics. It is a threat unlike any posed by Nosferatu before, and a helpful reminder that the dangers of inviting one inside do not necessarily end with a neck wound.
Scream Blacula Scream runs 96 minutes and is rated PG.
