Dance of the Vampires (1967)

Dance of the Vampires (AKA The Fearless Vampire Hunters or Pardon Me, But You’ve Got Your Teeth in My Neck)
Directed by Roman Polanski
Written by Gerard Brach and Roman Polanski
1967/UK
Cadre Films/Filmways Pictures
First viewing/Netflix rental
They Shoot Zombies Don’t They?

[box] It’s easy to direct while acting – there’s one less person to argue with. – Roman Polanski[/box]

It’s hard to make a funny horror film.  Polanski doesn’t quite succeed here.

Bat researcher Professor Abronsius (Jack McCowan) and his timid, bumbling assistant Alfred (Polanski) stop at an inn they hope is on the route to a vampire  There Alfred becomes smitten with barmaid Sarah Shagal (Sharon Tate), who is then abducted by a hideous hunchback.  They track him to the castle of Count von Krolock (Ferdy Main).

The Professor and Alfred have many horrifying adventures, which culminate in a ball for the Count and his victims.  Can Sarah be saved?

Well, I was neither scared nor really amused by this film.  It looks handsome enough though and there are a some jump cuts to get the blood racing for a few seconds.  The weakest of Polanski’s films if you ask me, which of course you didn’t.

The movie is, however, MUCH better than the American trailer!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *