| Blacula | |
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Original 1972 theatrical poster |
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| Directed by | William Crain |
| Produced by | Samuel Z. Arkoff Joseph T. Naar |
| Written by | Raymond Koenig Joan Torres |
| Starring | William Marshall Vonetta McGee Denise Nicholas Gordon Pinsent Charles Macaulay Thalmus Rasulala |
| Music by | Gene Page |
| Cinematography | John M. Stephens |
| Editing by | Allan Jacobs |
| Distributed by | American International Pictures |
| Release date(s) | August 25, 1972 (United States) |
| Running time | 92 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
Blacula is a 1972 American horror film produced for American International Pictures. It was directed by William Crain and stars William Marshall in the title role about an 18th century African prince named Mamuwalde, who is both turned into a vampire and locked inside a coffin by Count Dracula after a party at the count's castle in Transylvania that he attended with his wife Luva (Vonetta McGee). Two centuries later, the now-undead Mamuwalde rises from his coffin attacking various residents in modern day Los Angeles, the first two being the interior decorators who unknowingly release him after purchasing and bringing his coffin from Dracula's castle in Transylvania. Mamuwalde later meets Tina (also played by Vonetta McGee), a woman he believes to be the reincarnation of his deceased wife Luva.
Blacula was released to mixed reviews in the United States, but was one of the top grossing films of the year. It was the first film to receive an award for Best Horror Film at the Saturn Awards. Blacula was followed by the sequel Scream, Blacula, Scream in 1973 and inspired a small wave of blaxploitation themed horror films.
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In 1780, Prince Mamuwalde (William H. Marshall), the ruler of an African nation, seeks the help of Count Dracula (Charles Macaulay) in suppressing the slave trade. Dracula refuses to help and transforms Mamuwalde into a vampire and imprisons him in a sealed coffin. Mamuwalde's wife, Luva (Vonetta McGee), is also imprisoned and dies in captivity. In 1972, the coffin has been purchased as part of an estate by two interior decorators, Bobby McCoy (Ted Harris) and Billy Schaffer (Rick Metzler) and shipped to Los Angeles. Bobby and Billy open the coffin and become Prince Mamuwalde's first victims. At Bobby's funeral, Mamuwalde encounters Tina (Vonetta McGee), who Prince Mamuwalde believes is the reincarnation of his deceased wife. On investigating the corpse at the funeral, Dr. Gordon Thomas (Thalmus Rasulala) helps Lt. Peters (Gordon Pinsent) with an investigation of murders that are occurring.
Prince Mamuwalde continues to kill and transform various people he encounters into vampires as Tina begins to fall in love with him. Thomas, Peters, and Michelle follow the trail of murder victims and begin to believe a vampire is responsible. After Thomas digs up Billy's coffin, Billy's corpse rises as a vampire and attacks Peters who fends him off. After finding a photo taken of Mamuwalde where his body is not visible, Thomas and Peters track Mamuwalde to his hideout. They defeat several vampires but Mamuwalde manages to escape. Later, Mamuwalde lures Tina to his water works while Thomas and a group of police officers pursue him. Mamuwalde dispatches several officers as one shoots Tina. To save Tina from death, Mamuwalde transforms her into a vampire. After Peters manages to kill the vampire Tina, Mamuwalde believes he can not live any longer after losing her twice. Mamuwalde leaves for the surface where the sunlight rots his flesh and kills him.
Many members of the cast and crew of Blacula had worked in television. Director William Crain had directed episodes of The Mod Squad.[1] William H. Marshall's Mamuwalde was the first black vampire to appear in film.[1] Marshall had previously worked in stage productions and in episodes of The Man from U.N.C.L.E., The Nurses and Mannix.[1] Thalmus Rasulala who plays Dr. Gordon Thomas had previously been in episodes of The Twilight Zone, Perry Mason, and Rawhide.[1]
Blacula was in production between late January and late March 1972.[2] While Blacula was in its production stages, William Marshall worked with the film producers to make sure his character had some dignity. His character name was changed from Andrew Brown to Mamuwalde and his character received a background story about being an African prince who had succumbed to vampirism.[3]
The music for Blacula is unlike that of most horror films as it uses rhythm and blues as opposed to haunting classical music.[4] The film's soundtrack features a score by Gene Page and contributions by the Hues Corporation and 21st Century Ltd.[5]
Blacula was released on August 25, 1972.[6] Prior to its release, American International Pictures' marketing department wanted to ensure that black audiences would be interested in Blacula; some posters for the film included references to slavery.[7] American International Pictures also held special promotional showings at two New York theaters; anyone wearing a flowing cape would receive free admission.[7] Blacula was popular in America, debuting at #24 on Variety's list of top films. It eventually grossed over a million dollars, making it one of the highest grossing films of 1972.[8]
Blacula received mixed reviews on its initial release.[8] Variety gave the film a positive review praising the screenplay, music and acting by William Marshall.[7] The Chicago Reader praised the film writing that it would leave its audience more satisfied than many other "post-Lugosi efforts".[8] A review in the New York Times was negative, stating that anyone who "goes to a vampire movie expecting sense is in serious trouble, and "Blacula" offers less sense than most."[9] In Films & Filming, a reviewer referred to the film as "totally unconvincing on every level".[8] The film was awarded the Best Horror Film title at the first Saturn Awards.[10]
Among more recent reviews, Kim Newman of Empire gave the film two stars out of five, finding the film to be "formulaic and full of holes".[11] Time Out gave the film a negative review, stating that it "remains a lifeless reworking of heroes versus vampires with soul music and a couple of good gags."[12] Film4 awarded the film three and a half stars out of five, calling it "essential blaxploitation viewing."[13] Allmovie gave the film two and a half stars out of five, noting that Blacula is "better than its campy title might lead one to believe...the film suffers from the occasional bit of awkward humor (the bits with the two homosexual interior decorators are the most squirm-inducing), but Joan Torres and Raymond Koenig's script keeps things moving at a fast clip and generates some genuine chills."[14]
The box office success of Blacula sparked a wave of other black-themed horror films.[8][15] A sequel to the film titled Scream Blacula Scream was released in 1973 by American International. The film also stars William Marshall in the title role along with actress Pam Grier.[15] American International were also planning a follow-up titled Blackenstein, but chose to focus on Scream Blacula Scream. Blackenstein was eventually produced by Exclusive International Pictures.[16]
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