Scream, Blacula, Scream (1973)

You scream, I scream, we all scream for Blacula...

Sorry. Scream, Blacula, Scream is the first and last sequel to the blaxploitation classic Blacula and stars, in my opinion, the second best Dracula, next to Christopher Lee, to grace the shelves of mom-and-pop rental stores.

Although hampered by the terrible makeup that Blacula has on when he goes into full "vampire mode" and some ill-planned effects (seeing Blacula sail through the air like a tennis ball definitely doesn't add much dignity to the character), William Marshall goes at the role of Blacula with an almost Shakespearean air. Whether he's hunting for a new victim or lecturing a couple of pimps, William Marshall's Blacula rises to the occasion.

As for the film's other star, the famous Pam Grier, her character seems more of a plot device than a character. Don't get me wrong; Pam Grier is as excellent a pop culture diva here as anywhere, and gives this role her all. Yet the script gives her a character that lacks personality and is constantly overshadowed either by her boyfriend Justin or Blacula himself. It's really a waste, especially since Pam Grier plays Lisa, a powerful voodoo priestess whom Dracula wants to try to purge him of the curse of vampirism. At least, that's what the story tells us. As cool as the idea of Pam Grier as a voodoo priestess is, the fact comes to play really only twice, and most of Pam's time is spent worrying over something, being hit on by Blacula, or cowering.

This isn't to say Scream, Blacula, Scream is a waste of time beyond Marhsall's performance. The acting put in by most of the characters range from competent to amusing. The interactions between Justin, who happens to be an ex-cop, and the requisite over-the-top racist detective make for a chuckle or two. Plus, although hampered in many ways by some genuinely terrible effects, the horror elements of the film actually sometimes generate suspense. For example, there's one well-shot scene where a woman sits at a mirror, unable to see Blacula sneak up slowly behind her...

Oh, and in case you were wondering, he really is called Blacula in the movie...