Shot in only eight days for $70,000, this enduring epic tells the story of giant mutant leeches causing mayhem in the Florida Everglades when they get over aggressive and start dragging innocent people into their underwater cave in order to suck their blood. One of the hapless victims is sleazy tart Liz Walker (Yvette Vickers), who is cheating on her sleazy husband, Dave (Bruno VeSota) with one of his sleazy friends, Cal Moulton (Michael Emmett). Stalwart game warden Steve Benton (Ken Clark) is called upon to find a way to defeat the slimy leech critters so as to make the Everglades safe once again for all manner of sleazy activiy. The handsome Clark's primary acting duties consist of posing with his shirt off and being generally heroic. His girlfriend, Nan Grayson, is portrayed by Jan Shepherd. Her function is to nag Steve incessantly and pour coffee for various cast members.
The leeches are portrayed by humans in badly fitted rubber suits (Or are they just trash bags? Hard to tell.) with suction cups attached. Fortunately for the costume designers' reputations, the slimy looking monsters are only partially visible at any given time. The film was directed by Bernard L. Kowalski. Produced by Roger and Gene Corman. Screenplay by Leo Gordon.
Yvette Vickers had appeared in another science fiction classic the year before, ATTACK OF THE 50 FOOT WOMAN, in which she also played a sleazy tart. Miss Vickers was always better than the material she was usually given and deserved much more of a chance in films. She is the main reason this low budget gem is remembered.
The story, set in 1958, has Count Dracula emigrating from Eastern Europe to the United States in search of fresh blood. He does away with, and assumes the identity of, a fellow countryman named Belak who was coming to California to live with relatives. He moves in with Belak's cousin, a widow with a young son and a teenage daughter, Rachel. Dracula somehow manages to hide his coffin in a nearby cave and gets busy sampling the local feminine blood supply, while casting a cold, hungry eye on the nubile Rachel.
Dracula is portrayed by Francis Lederer, a Czech actor with a long film career going all the way back to the silent era. One of his notable roles was opposite Louise Brooks in the 1929 German classic PANDORA'S BOX. Lederer's dark features, expressive eyes and thick accent give him a commanding Lugosi-esque presence that makes his interpretation of the Count very impressive and mysterious. He wisely underplays the role, forgoing dramatic gestures and relying on a steady gaze and a quiet, controlled voice inflection.
The cinematography is in black & white. But there is a brief, rather shocking, moment in color when a vampire girl in a white shroud (Don't they always wear white shrouds?) geta a stake driven into her heart with blood spurting all over the place. The film is lacking in special photographic effects, but it does make good use of mist whenever Dracula makes a nocturnal entrance.
Rachel is played by a young, beautiful actress named Norma Eberhardt, who only made a handful of film and television appearances (notably LIVE FAST, DIE YOUNG, also in 1958) before leaving show business. A real shame, too, as she was talented and distinctive. Also featuring Ray Striklyn, Virginia Vincent and Jimmie Baird. Directed by Paul Landers.
Add this one to your list of Halloween cinematic treats.
I first watched "The Return of Dracula" when it came out on DVD as part of the "Midnite Movies" series. I was quite impressed with its creepy atmosphere.
ReplyDeleteSame here. I always liked this movie. They did a nice job with it.
ReplyDeleteVintage schlock connoisseur that I am, I really need to see ATTACK OF THE GIANT LEECHES. I have a vague memory of probably seeing decades ago, yet I can't be sure. Perhaps it was so inept that it left no lasting impression. However, that seems unlikely with Yvette Vickers in it! She is certainly reason enough for me to track it down again. She is great in ATTACK OF THE 50 FT. WOMAN. THE RETURN OF DRACULA is a nice change of pace for an American '50s fright flick. No sci-fi hocus-pocus is used to revamp the menace. Dracula is presented as an old-world supernatural being. Indeed, Francis Lederer is very effective in the role.
ReplyDeleteWell, ATTACK OF THE GIANT LEECHES is somewhat inept. But it's great fun, and a definite must-see flick for someone with your eclectic tastes! Yvette Vickers is her sensational self. Really, the lady was a very talented actress and always made an impression no matter what type of film she was in. She should have become a much bigger star than she did. Bruno Vesota is also very good. Another standout talent from that era. I've always loved THE RETURN OF DRACULA. Francis Lederer made a perfect vampire. Too bad he didn't repeat the role in other movies. Thanks for commenting on this post. This is the first time I've been to my blog for anything in quite a while. I got kind of burned out after those two blogathons. It's time for me to get back in the game. Take care!
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