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Scream, Blacula, Scream | William Marshall, Don Mitchell | Soul Cinema Dracula.
 
 


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 Scream, Blacula, S...  

Scream, Blacula, Scream
William Marshall, Don Mitchell

MGM (Video & DVD), 2004

average customer review:based on 22 reviews
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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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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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Even with Pam Grier this "Blacula" sequel is a step down

After "Blacula" successfully kicked off the horror element of the Blaxploitation movement in 1972, the sequel, "Scream, Blacula, Scream" came out the following year. In addition to returning the booming Shakespearean voice of William Marshall in the title fole (his real name is Prince Manuwalde), this 1973 film from director Bob Kelljan (who also did "Count Yorga") upped the ante by having Pam Grier as the female lead, which adds a little something extra to the film.

This time Manuwalde is brought back to life by a voodoo ritual. The first time around the vampire prince thought he had found the reincarnation of his long dead wife. This time he wants to get the voodoo princess (Grier) to do that voodoo that she does so well to return him to his homeland. Again, Marshall's performance brings a sense of dignity to the proceedings (remember: he was the first black actor to play the title role of Othello on stage), which do get a bit cheesy at times. The attack sequences are actually a bit better in the sequel, but the racial humor, outrageous at the time as a defining element of the Blaxploitation movement, just does not click as well. Most importantly, this film does not even try to be as scary as the original.

That last point become the fatal flaw because 1973 was the year "The Exorcist" came out and showed what a really great horror film would be like. That made films like "Scream, Blacula, Scream" look even more tacky in comparison. Even with Greir, this film is not as good as the original, which still remains the best of the bunch when it comes to Blaxploitation horror.


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Badula

William Marshall should've been a big star. He was trained in one of England's acting schools. But as a man of color in the 70s, he had to take roles like this. The first Blacula was excellent. But this one wasn't. It was too predictable. The other shocking thing about this movie is the production value. After the first Blacula became a hit, you would think that the studios would have put more money into its sequels. But the studis didn't. And while Pam is one of my favorite 70s actress, this movie wasn't her best. Pass!!


reviews: 1, 2, page 3, 4, 5



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