Welcome to the Scream Factory Crypt! In this binge series I will be watching all my Scream Factory titles I own alphabetically! Scream Factory is my favorite imprint of Blu-Ray’s because they take movies that studios and the public might not adore but have fans and deserve to be given respect. This will take a long time as I have over 120(!) titles and counting, I know I will have more before I finish, so stay tuned! Not only will I talk about them on the podcast but I will review them here as well so you can see how I feel about aspects of each release. Part 12 is the double feature of Blacula and Scream Blacula Scream!
70’s funk is alive and well in the Double Feature of Blacula and Scream Blacula Scream. I remember watching these films late at night on the old USA networks, Up All Night. They have some undeniable charm anchored by a pretty great performance by William Marshall as Prince Mamuwalde.
In Blacula an African prince visits Count Dracula in Transylvania and the devious Count turns Mamuwalde into, “Blacula!” After two centuries of slumber Blacula awakes and makes his way to Los Angeles to be reunited with his long lost love who he believes has been reincarnated into a woman named Tina. The vampire turns many people into his minions and continues to befuddle the police. Blacula in the meantime is also trying to get Tina to fall for him.
Blacula is at times super campy, but also has tons of charm. Don’t let the PG rating fool you there is some horror to be found. There is also a sequence in a morgue that is kinda scary too. I found myself liking Blacula for its 70’s aesthetic and magnetic performance by Marshall. The ending is pretty great too. The major drawback might by its shoestring budget as the makeup effects are pretty laughable.
Scream Blacula Scream is a step up in pretty much every aspect of the film making process. More money, better looking and sharper, it’s what horror sequels should be.
Prince Mamuwalde is resurrected by (of course) voodoo. Being forced to kill again, Blacula brings his reign of terror back to the streets of Los Angeles!
Marshall again is great as Mamuwlade, but he joined by Pam Grier bringing attitude and toughness to the female lead. I actually liked Scream Blacula Scream a little more than Blacula. While both suffer from being products of their time, it is fun to watch them back to back.
The video on both films is good not great. Scream appears to look a little better as Blacula suffers from some crushing blacks and a couple of color issues. My guess however, is this has much to do with the limitations of the productions. I will say they don’t look bad, just not spectacular.
The audio too won’t blow you away but it delivers where it needs to. Most importantly in the thumping bass of that 70’s funk.
The films come with a few features with Blacula getting a commentary and Scream Blacula Scream with an interview with Richard Lawson on playing Willis, which is a pretty fun if not long 13 minute interview. The commentary on Blacula however is a treat. Film Historian David F. Walker delivers a fun and engaging track full of cool trivia. Both feature a trailer and some dope behind the scenes photos.
If you dig 70’s horror with some blaxploitation thrown in for good measure, the Double Feature of Blacula/Scream Blacula Scream is a great title to sink your fangs into. The blu-ray menu alone makes this a super cool purchase.
Films: Blacula B-/Scream Blacula Scream B
Video: Blacula C+/Scream Blacula Scream B-
Audio: Blacula B-/Scream Blacula Scream B-
Extras: Blacula A-/Scream Blacula Scream B
Overall: B