Beware this is great stuff if you need to sleep or if you need a mild headache.The back story of these two movies is better than either version. Lucifer's Women (1974/75) was indeed completed and shown theatrically. I believe it ran 65 to 75 minutes in length. So why can't anyone seem to find it haunting a dollar DVD bargain bin nowadays? Well because it was a poor mans hardcore porn/horror flick with very limited distribution. Skip ahead to 1977 and we find a slightly new haphazard plot line made from the footage of Lucifer's Women and newly shot footage by a different crew and actors! Since all the sex scenes were excised out of Lucifer's Women it was sold off to network TV as Dr. Dracula! Yes,network TV as in the ABC Network. Dr. Anton S. LaVey's involvement was only with Lucifer's Women as technical advisory. I believe there were a few of his Church members involved on the production side and that's how he became involved. As for the films them selves, they are only of interests to Satanists and low budget film scholars - from a minor historical point that is. If you can somehow locate one of the handful of bootlegged copies of Lucifer's Women floating around out there watch it (you'll need nerves of steel) on a double bill with Dr Dracula. Pay attention to the differences and learn how not to make a worse movie out of an already bad one.
12 Reviews
Amazingly dull
planktonrules20 October 2008
I knew before the film began that it would be bad. After all, it was directed by Al Adamson--one of the only directors in the history of film that might have been worse than Ed Wood, Jr.! However, what I didn't expect was for the film to be so dull. Other Adamson "masterpieces" such as BRAIN OF BLOOD and Dracula VERSUS FRANKENSTEIN are horrible movies--dumb, cheesy and inept on every level--and a lot of fun to poke fun at with friends. However, with DOCTOR Dracula, while the movie still is dumb and cheesy, the film actually isn't 100% terrible--only about 95.6%! While the plot is totally convoluted and the film has way too many bad guys (plus, why have Dracula AND Svengali?), it did have appearances by the competent Don Berry (who has over 200 films to his credit) and John Carradine (who has over 300 films to his credit). Both (particularly Berry) were decent in their roles and Adamson manages to make a bad film that isn't bad enough to laugh at with friends--but it is bad enough to put you to sleep. As for me, this Adamson film was too good to watch and while still only managing to earn a meager 2, it's pretty much a waste of time even to bad film freaks like myself.
REMIXED BY SATAN
BandSAboutMovies9 December 2023
Warning: Spoilers
Al Adamson loved remixes more than any DJ. Doctor Dracula is a re-edited version of Paul Aratow's Lucifer's Women with new footage that was shot, re-edited it into the film and released to TV. Want to know how goofy this movie is? Anton LaVey is listed as a consultant.
Dr. John Wainright (Larry Hankin) was once an academic but now is an illusionist who believes that he is the reincarnation of Svengali. His publisher, Sir Stephen Phillips (Norman Pierce) tells him that he is also reincarnated and the leader of a Satanic cult known as the Society of the Bleeding Rose. Stephen explains to John that he must refill the cult's psychic energy through human sacrifice. He must place his soul into someone else's during a murder/suicide during a simultaneous orgasm.
This sounds like a lot of work.
Well, that was the story of Lucifer's Women, a film packed with sex, violence and nudity. I mean, Paul Thomas was in it. How does it get to air on TV?
Enter Sam Sherman and Al Adamson.
Now, Svengali is battling the reincarnation of Dracula, Dr. Gregorio (Geoffrey Lund) and we have another Satanic cultist, Hadley Radcliff (John Carradine!) also in the plot. Dracula has a victim, who you knew had to be played by Regina Carrol. Love interest Trilby (Jane Brunel-Cohen) from the original film is nearly gone and they even got Hankin back to do voice-overs to try and explain it.
It's exactly the mess you knew it had to be, but come on. You should know what you're in for by now.
Dr. John Wainright (Larry Hankin) was once an academic but now is an illusionist who believes that he is the reincarnation of Svengali. His publisher, Sir Stephen Phillips (Norman Pierce) tells him that he is also reincarnated and the leader of a Satanic cult known as the Society of the Bleeding Rose. Stephen explains to John that he must refill the cult's psychic energy through human sacrifice. He must place his soul into someone else's during a murder/suicide during a simultaneous orgasm.
This sounds like a lot of work.
Well, that was the story of Lucifer's Women, a film packed with sex, violence and nudity. I mean, Paul Thomas was in it. How does it get to air on TV?
Enter Sam Sherman and Al Adamson.
Now, Svengali is battling the reincarnation of Dracula, Dr. Gregorio (Geoffrey Lund) and we have another Satanic cultist, Hadley Radcliff (John Carradine!) also in the plot. Dracula has a victim, who you knew had to be played by Regina Carrol. Love interest Trilby (Jane Brunel-Cohen) from the original film is nearly gone and they even got Hankin back to do voice-overs to try and explain it.
It's exactly the mess you knew it had to be, but come on. You should know what you're in for by now.
Not prime Adamson, but still pretty bad
Eegah Guy5 November 2001
I've been on a quest to see all of Adamson's films for years and so imagine my surprise when this rarity turned up on local TV before Halloween. This is another of Adamson's patchwork features cobbled together using an older unfinished film (LUCIFER'S WOMEN) mixed with newer footage featuring Adamson regulars John Carradine and Regina Carroll. During commercial breaks the host of the show mentioned the overabundance of blue eyeshadow used in the movie and how it doesn't make sense that a person can be possessed by a fictional character (Svengali). Unintentionally funny is the deep voice used by a possessed woman which makes her sound like she's been possessed by the spirit of Suzanne Pleshette. Be sure to take a nap before watching the movie because it may put you to sleep.
I need to take a blood sample....
Doctor-332 November 1999
Not a very well known title in my native UK, but then anything which isn't a Hammer Dracula isn't well known over here. Having just recently watched Doctor Dracula, and knowing nothing about the format I thought this had to be a TV-Movie. While enjoyable, there are some really hammy lines in the dialogue. The character, Svengali, has to steal the show, if even for that beard!
On the whole, this is quite an enjoyable presentation, with an occasional appearance from the soundman's boom, and very little blood. Found the ending quite original though...who would have thought of destroying ..Al Adamson obviously.
On the whole, this is quite an enjoyable presentation, with an occasional appearance from the soundman's boom, and very little blood. Found the ending quite original though...who would have thought of destroying ..Al Adamson obviously.
Does Lucifer's Women really exist?
info-71716 July 2007
I own the one-sheet and press book for Lucifer's Women but I've never been able to locate the actual film. Of course I have seen the trailer on the Dr Dracula DVD but I would like to see how it differs from the original.
Some say Lucifer's Women was unfinished, I don't know. Has anyone ever seen the original movie? If so, was it in a theatre or on television? I'm desperate for information regarding its existence or better yet-- a copy of the film on any format. Hint, hint...
Any further writings about this or Anton's involvement is much appreciated!
Some say Lucifer's Women was unfinished, I don't know. Has anyone ever seen the original movie? If so, was it in a theatre or on television? I'm desperate for information regarding its existence or better yet-- a copy of the film on any format. Hint, hint...
Any further writings about this or Anton's involvement is much appreciated!
Dracula. Dracula, where for art thou Dracula?
mark.waltz11 March 2023
Warning: Spoilers
Yes, there is a vampire in this movie as part of the occult, but I don't ever recall the name of Bram Stoker's character ever mentioned. The film features one of the many screen Draculas (John Carradine), but he has a rather small part as one of the members of the occult, basically providing some exposition as to what this group of Satan workers does. The film surround a young girls desperation to find out how her mother died, certain it was violent and unhappy even though the woman had a smile on her face when she was found. The viewer knows from the prologue that she was bitten by a vampire, but whatever happened to her after that is unknown until a bizarre twist that involves the most hysterical old lady voice I've ever heard on film. Don "Red" Barry is the only other familiar actor in the film, playing the young girl's father, concerned about his daughter and what you'll find out in regards to his late wife.
The first part of the movie is much more interesting than the second part which becomes very convoluted and messy, going from one extreme to another and almost seemingly camp. The spirit of the dead woman resembles Madeline Kahn, and in certain scenes, I expected her to break into the type of line that Mel Brooks would have given her. The result is a film that is often on the verge of parody, although it is not good parody. Still, there are some interesting elements even though this is a far from perfect gothic horror film, but I was never bored with it even though it gets confusing and off track with certain twists and subplots. Larry Hankin is unintentionally funny as the crack magician who is obsessed with Svengali and ends up being possessed by a character that never really existed.
The first part of the movie is much more interesting than the second part which becomes very convoluted and messy, going from one extreme to another and almost seemingly camp. The spirit of the dead woman resembles Madeline Kahn, and in certain scenes, I expected her to break into the type of line that Mel Brooks would have given her. The result is a film that is often on the verge of parody, although it is not good parody. Still, there are some interesting elements even though this is a far from perfect gothic horror film, but I was never bored with it even though it gets confusing and off track with certain twists and subplots. Larry Hankin is unintentionally funny as the crack magician who is obsessed with Svengali and ends up being possessed by a character that never really existed.
This is a very scary movie.
jacobjohntaylor18 July 2016
This is a very scary movie. It is a true horror classic. It is not a 2. 2 is just underrating it. It has a great story line. It also has great acting. It also has great special effects. Dracula (Marsh 1931) is better. Dracula (1992) is also better. But still this is a great movie. If it does not scary you know movie will. Dracula (1958) is better. Still the movie is scarier then The Shinning. And that is not easy to do. Don Red Barry was a great actor. Nosferatu (1922) is also better. But still this is one of the better Dracula sequels. There have been a lot of Dracula sequels and most of them are great movies. This is one of the scariest movies from 1978. It is a must see.
More LaVey influence than in Devil's Rain or Rosemary's Baby.
pery-127 August 2003
Warning: Spoilers
Anton Szandor LaVey is credited as "Technical Consultant". It's hard to tell who is responsible for what, but several things are almost certainly attributable to him. These include Carradine's reciting some of the infernal names "and all the messengers of his Satanic majesty". The beautiful red and black baphomet is surely from LaVey, as are the animal headed people, as in "Das Tierdrama", plus actual animal roars. The celebrant recites several times "In nomine nostri Satanas Dei Luciferi excelsi". I think the sadomasochistic scenes with the red-headed hooker come from LaVey. She is cut on the face, and evidently violated, on the altar. Later she is in Sir Steven's quarters, bleeding all over, and reciting that "your pleasure is my pain". What strikes me as a real Anton LaVey touch of humor is when she is made to kiss Sir Steven's feet, as he says what may be LaVey's words "Masters are rare, slaves plentiful", and pours tea or water on her head. Bobo the magician also strikes me as a LaVey idea. Trilby as "a goddess, an elemental energy source, a link between this life and the next" reminds me of Jack Parsons and his elemental Marjorie Cameron. This idea might also have come from LaVey. It would be helpful to see the original "Lucifer's Women" to better guess what are LaVey contributions to the movie. --------------------------------------------------------------------- This movie does have, as a reviewer said, enough subplots to make 3 movies. It is not without violence, as there are several deaths, mostly by vampire. There is some very hokey dialogue near the end, and false touches such as when Carradine shows a modern-looking metal torch as being a 3,500 year old Druid torch, and when "exorcise" is pronounced "exercise". On the authentic side, the women sport some cool '70's clothes and makeup.
The mixture of Satanism, reincarnation, soul-stealing and vampirism makes for a fascinating jumble. Remember: "Deja vu or lapses of memory, followed by headaches, are sometimes indications of possession by reincarnated spirits".
The mixture of Satanism, reincarnation, soul-stealing and vampirism makes for a fascinating jumble. Remember: "Deja vu or lapses of memory, followed by headaches, are sometimes indications of possession by reincarnated spirits".
Comments on the DVD edition
exoticafan9 April 2003
The current DVD edition contains the feature itself, and a selection of well-worn trailers from other Sam Sherman/Independent International releases. These "coming attractions" are featured on a multitude of releases by Image, and it is curious that they did not offer an audio commentary by Sherman. This would have been especially helpful in determining which footage was newly shot by Al Adamson/Gary Graver, and which were from the feature Lucifer's Women (the only new trailer listed in the extras). It is also unclear whether Lucifer's Women was also released on it's own, or whether the footage extant in Doctor Dracula is the only stock currently available. I'm sure Sherman could have clarified all of this. Curiously, of all Adamson films released on DVD, this is the one that cries out for an audio track the most.
As for discussion of the movie itself, other comments in IMDB will suffice, this only to say that I find it an interesting salvage job. After all, in what other movie will you find Count Dracula disguised as a psychiatrist, an author possessed by a fictional character, and Regina Carol wearing too much makeup? (Oops...that's right. Any Adamson film for the latter).
As for discussion of the movie itself, other comments in IMDB will suffice, this only to say that I find it an interesting salvage job. After all, in what other movie will you find Count Dracula disguised as a psychiatrist, an author possessed by a fictional character, and Regina Carol wearing too much makeup? (Oops...that's right. Any Adamson film for the latter).
Watchable Al Adamson hodgepodge
Woodyanders26 April 2018
Warning: Spoilers
Famous hypnotist and author John Wainwright (smoothly played by Larry Hankin) plans to set up beautiful dancer Trilby (a charming performance by fetching slender brunette Janel Brunel-Cohen) as a sacrifice for an evil satanic cult. However, Wainwright winds up looking horns with nefarious psychiatrist Gregorio (a hopelessly bland and wooden portrayal by Geoffrey Land), who turns out to be none other than legendary vampire Dracula in disguise.
Notorious trashmeister Al Adamson does an adequate job of mixing together copious amounts of footage from the oddball 70's horror obscurity "Lucifer's Women" and newly shot material into a cohesive composite picture: While Adamson fails to generate much in the way of either tension or creepy atmosphere, he does still manage to give the proceedings a certain endearingly schlocky charm that ensures that this movie overall sizes up as a passable piece of low-rent entertainment. Moreover, the game cast helps a lot: A noticeably aged and gnarled, but still energetic and enthusiastic John Carradine hams it up with customary gusto as devout occultist Hadley Radcliff, Don 'Red' Barry registers well as the skeptical Elliot, Regina Carrol amuses as boozy klutz Valerie, and Norman Pierce excels as slimy and sinister publisher Sir Steven. A decent time-killer.
Notorious trashmeister Al Adamson does an adequate job of mixing together copious amounts of footage from the oddball 70's horror obscurity "Lucifer's Women" and newly shot material into a cohesive composite picture: While Adamson fails to generate much in the way of either tension or creepy atmosphere, he does still manage to give the proceedings a certain endearingly schlocky charm that ensures that this movie overall sizes up as a passable piece of low-rent entertainment. Moreover, the game cast helps a lot: A noticeably aged and gnarled, but still energetic and enthusiastic John Carradine hams it up with customary gusto as devout occultist Hadley Radcliff, Don 'Red' Barry registers well as the skeptical Elliot, Regina Carrol amuses as boozy klutz Valerie, and Norman Pierce excels as slimy and sinister publisher Sir Steven. A decent time-killer.
Awful
Michael_Elliott24 May 2008
Doctor Dracula (1981)
BOMB (out of 4)
In 1975 director Paul Aratow made a film called Lucifer's Women but not too much is known about it. It's not clear whether the film was completed and never released or if it was never completed. It's one of those mystery films that ended up being released in 1981 as this film, which features drive-in maverick Al Adamson filming new scenes with John Carradine and throwing it all together. The film never makes too much sense but it has something to do with Dracula working as a shrink so that he can bite on women but there's another man, trained by Svengali, to do battle with him. Dracula vs Frankenstein this is not but I must say Adamson did a very good job at adding the new stuff in because the new scenes really don't stick out and they mix well with the original film. With that said, the film is deadly dull from start to finish without any energy in the movie. The film tries very hard to be dark and mysterious but it never comes off that way. It seems the original film is mainly to blame because we get long dialogue scenes where nothing ever happens. The added scenes at least feature John Carradine hamming it up a little bit. Apparently Adamson also cut out all the nudity from the original film, which certainly wasn't a good thing to do considering how dull the film turned out to be. This is a pretty worthless film but hopefully the history about the original film will come out at some point.
BOMB (out of 4)
In 1975 director Paul Aratow made a film called Lucifer's Women but not too much is known about it. It's not clear whether the film was completed and never released or if it was never completed. It's one of those mystery films that ended up being released in 1981 as this film, which features drive-in maverick Al Adamson filming new scenes with John Carradine and throwing it all together. The film never makes too much sense but it has something to do with Dracula working as a shrink so that he can bite on women but there's another man, trained by Svengali, to do battle with him. Dracula vs Frankenstein this is not but I must say Adamson did a very good job at adding the new stuff in because the new scenes really don't stick out and they mix well with the original film. With that said, the film is deadly dull from start to finish without any energy in the movie. The film tries very hard to be dark and mysterious but it never comes off that way. It seems the original film is mainly to blame because we get long dialogue scenes where nothing ever happens. The added scenes at least feature John Carradine hamming it up a little bit. Apparently Adamson also cut out all the nudity from the original film, which certainly wasn't a good thing to do considering how dull the film turned out to be. This is a pretty worthless film but hopefully the history about the original film will come out at some point.
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