This is one of those obscure films that in the annual edition of "Screen World" most likely was listed in the "also" chapter where minor films of little critical importance ended up with just a short paragraph featuring cast and crew and if lucky a teeny, tiny photo. sure enough, I had never heard of it until I came across that it accidentally, even though I thought I knew everything about David Niven's career.
This film could be described as "Murder By Teeth" in reference to Niven's smash hit "Murder by Death" two years later. as count Dracula, he is surprised when bringing his late wife back after 50 years in her eternal coffin finds that she has turned into the black Teresa Graves! There is little to offend side the initial shock, and after going to a black midnight movie, Graves begins speaking a more streetwise black dialect. she looks great in vintage fashions, and I must say that she was certainly one of the most beautiful actresses of the 1970's.
Count Dracula needs the blood three women for mysterious reasons and goes to London get it, utilizing vampire historian Nicky Henson in his plans. He sees an atmosphere quite different since he had been there decades earlier (when he look like Bela Lugosi) and somehow finds his place in the psychedelic world of 1970's London nightlife. Peter bayliss get some very funny lines as Niven's non-vampire valet.
While this is enjoyable for the most part, it is certainly a very dated film, obviously a quick trip off of Mel Brook's "Young Frankenstein". Brooks would spoof the vampire genre with "Dracula Dead and Loving It" many years later with better results. But this film is hokey with scattered laughs, perhaps being a bit too proud of its tongue in cheek (or teeth in neck) attitude. There have been worse "Dracula" spoofs ("Transylvania 6-5000" is by far the worst), but I can see why this has definite flop status and hasn't gained a cult following. In short, its bite really doesn't leave much of a mark.
This film could be described as "Murder By Teeth" in reference to Niven's smash hit "Murder by Death" two years later. as count Dracula, he is surprised when bringing his late wife back after 50 years in her eternal coffin finds that she has turned into the black Teresa Graves! There is little to offend side the initial shock, and after going to a black midnight movie, Graves begins speaking a more streetwise black dialect. she looks great in vintage fashions, and I must say that she was certainly one of the most beautiful actresses of the 1970's.
Count Dracula needs the blood three women for mysterious reasons and goes to London get it, utilizing vampire historian Nicky Henson in his plans. He sees an atmosphere quite different since he had been there decades earlier (when he look like Bela Lugosi) and somehow finds his place in the psychedelic world of 1970's London nightlife. Peter bayliss get some very funny lines as Niven's non-vampire valet.
While this is enjoyable for the most part, it is certainly a very dated film, obviously a quick trip off of Mel Brook's "Young Frankenstein". Brooks would spoof the vampire genre with "Dracula Dead and Loving It" many years later with better results. But this film is hokey with scattered laughs, perhaps being a bit too proud of its tongue in cheek (or teeth in neck) attitude. There have been worse "Dracula" spoofs ("Transylvania 6-5000" is by far the worst), but I can see why this has definite flop status and hasn't gained a cult following. In short, its bite really doesn't leave much of a mark.