Although
released under MGM’s Soul Cinema label, BLACULA ($15) and SCREAM,
BLACULA, SCREAM! ($15) are a such a complete mixture of blaxploitation
and horror, that they could have just as easily debuted under MGM’s
Midnite Movies banner. Since I am a fan of both genres, I have been
eagerly anticipating this pair of flicks making their DVD debuts for quite
some time. Additionally, the "political correctness" that has
sprung up in the intervening thirty years since BLACULA and SCREAM,
BLACULA, SCREAM! were made has given each an unintentionally amusing
quality that makes them even more fun to watch than ever before. Of
course, BLACULA and SCREAM, BLACULA, SCREAM! still maintain
their ability to chill audiences, thanks to the presence of leading man
William Marshall. Marshall, a classically trained thespian, whose booming
voice and acting charisma that made him unforgettable as the title
character of both films. Had it not been for William Marshall, I am not
sure if either of these films would be as well remembered today.
The
plot of BLACULA finds African Prince Manuwalde (Marshall) falling
victim to Dracula and re-christened with a bastardized version of the
vampire Count’s name. After being imprisoned in a casket in Castle
Dracula for two centuries, Blacula is set free is Los Angeles by the pair
of interior decorators who purchased the contents of the castle, while in
Europe. After sating his bloodlust, Blacula encounters Tina (Vonetta
McGee), a beautiful young woman who is the reincarnation of his dead wife
Luva. As Manuwalde, Blacula hopes to win Tina’s love and have her
willingly become his vampire bride for all eternity. The cast of BLACULA
also features Denise Nicholas, Thalmus Rasulala, Gordon Pinsent, Charles
Macaulay, Emily Yancy, Lance Taylor Sr., Ted Harris, Rick Metzler, Ketty
Lester and Elisha Cook Jr.
SCREAM,
BLACULA, SCREAM! finds Blacula resurrected at the hands of a voodoo
priest hoping to use the vampire as an instrument of revenge against those
who wronged him. However, instead of becoming a lackey, Blacula puts the
bite on his would be voodoo master, which begins a new cycle of undead
rising up in Los Angeles. Of course, still residing within Blacula is the
tormented Manuwalde, who wants to end the eternal loneliness of his
vampire existence. So Manuwalde seeks out powerful voodoo priestess Lisa
(Pam Grier) to exercise the vampire from his being. While the presence of
William Marshall makes SCREAM, BLACULA, SCREAM! an enjoyable horror
outing, fans of Pam Grier may be disappointed to discover that her
character is little more than attractive set dressing in this sequel. In
addition to its two stars, the cast of SCREAM, BLACULA, SCREAM!
also includes Michael Conrad, Richard Lawson, Lynne Moody, Janee Michelle
and Barbara Rhoades.
MGM
Home Entertainment has made BLACULA and SCREAM, BLACULA, SCREAM!
available on DVD in a 1.85:1 wide screen presentations that have been
enhanced for playback on 16:9 displays. Both films look quite good for low
budget blaxploitation fare, with BLACULA having a slight edge on
its sequel. Some softer shots show up in each film, but for the most part
the transfers produce reasonable sharp, nicely defined images. Colors are
fairly well saturated and appear solid, without overt fuzziness. Blacks
are pretty inky and the whites are crisp. Contrast is respectable,
although shadow detail can be truncated in places. The film elements for
both movies have aged reasonably well, with only minor blemishes being
apparent. Film grain creeps up in each film, but isn’t too bad. Digital
compression artifacts are never a cause for concern.
The
Dolby Digital monaural soundtracks are respectable for three-decade-old
movies. Most signs of background hiss and noise have been cleaned up in
the mastering process. Dialogue is always completely understandable, while
William Marshall’s voice maintains its powerful presence. The funky soul
music featured on each soundtrack sounds just fine. No other language
tracks are included, although English, French and Spanish subtitles are
provided. The basic interactive menus allow one access to the standard
scene selection and set up features, as well as each film’s theatrical
trailer on their respective individual DVD.
Both
BLACULA and SCREAM, BLACULA, SCREAM! are a hoot and belong
in every genre fan’s blaxploitation/horror libraries. MGM has done a
good job with both of these DVDs, giving each film the finest looking
presentation that it has ever had. If you are a fan, then you are going to
want to own copies of BLACULA and SCREAM, BLACULA, SCREAM!.
Although
released under MGM’s Soul Cinema label, BLACULA ($15) and SCREAM,
BLACULA, SCREAM! ($15) are a such a complete mixture of blaxploitation
and horror, that they could have just as easily debuted under MGM’s
Midnite Movies banner. Since I am a fan of both genres, I have been
eagerly anticipating this pair of flicks making their DVD debuts for quite
some time. Additionally, the "political correctness" that has
sprung up in the intervening thirty years since BLACULA and SCREAM,
BLACULA, SCREAM! were made has given each an unintentionally amusing
quality that makes them even more fun to watch than ever before. Of
course, BLACULA and SCREAM, BLACULA, SCREAM! still maintain
their ability to chill audiences, thanks to the presence of leading man
William Marshall. Marshall, a classically trained thespian, whose booming
voice and acting charisma that made him unforgettable as the title
character of both films. Had it not been for William Marshall, I am not
sure if either of these films would be as well remembered today.
The
plot of BLACULA finds African Prince Manuwalde (Marshall) falling
victim to Dracula and re-christened with a bastardized version of the
vampire Count’s name. After being imprisoned in a casket in Castle
Dracula for two centuries, Blacula is set free is Los Angeles by the pair
of interior decorators who purchased the contents of the castle, while in
Europe. After sating his bloodlust, Blacula encounters Tina (Vonetta
McGee), a beautiful young woman who is the reincarnation of his dead wife
Luva. As Manuwalde, Blacula hopes to win Tina’s love and have her
willingly become his vampire bride for all eternity. The cast of BLACULA
also features Denise Nicholas, Thalmus Rasulala, Gordon Pinsent, Charles
Macaulay, Emily Yancy, Lance Taylor Sr., Ted Harris, Rick Metzler, Ketty
Lester and Elisha Cook Jr.
SCREAM,
BLACULA, SCREAM! finds Blacula resurrected at the hands of a voodoo
priest hoping to use the vampire as an instrument of revenge against those
who wronged him. However, instead of becoming a lackey, Blacula puts the
bite on his would be voodoo master, which begins a new cycle of undead
rising up in Los Angeles. Of course, still residing within Blacula is the
tormented Manuwalde, who wants to end the eternal loneliness of his
vampire existence. So Manuwalde seeks out powerful voodoo priestess Lisa
(Pam Grier) to exercise the vampire from his being. While the presence of
William Marshall makes SCREAM, BLACULA, SCREAM! an enjoyable horror
outing, fans of Pam Grier may be disappointed to discover that her
character is little more than attractive set dressing in this sequel. In
addition to its two stars, the cast of SCREAM, BLACULA, SCREAM!
also includes Michael Conrad, Richard Lawson, Lynne Moody, Janee Michelle
and Barbara Rhoades.
MGM
Home Entertainment has made BLACULA and SCREAM, BLACULA, SCREAM!
available on DVD in a 1.85:1 wide screen presentations that have been
enhanced for playback on 16:9 displays. Both films look quite good for low
budget blaxploitation fare, with BLACULA having a slight edge on
its sequel. Some softer shots show up in each film, but for the most part
the transfers produce reasonable sharp, nicely defined images. Colors are
fairly well saturated and appear solid, without overt fuzziness. Blacks
are pretty inky and the whites are crisp. Contrast is respectable,
although shadow detail can be truncated in places. The film elements for
both movies have aged reasonably well, with only minor blemishes being
apparent. Film grain creeps up in each film, but isn’t too bad. Digital
compression artifacts are never a cause for concern.
The
Dolby Digital monaural soundtracks are respectable for three-decade-old
movies. Most signs of background hiss and noise have been cleaned up in
the mastering process. Dialogue is always completely understandable, while
William Marshall’s voice maintains its powerful presence. The funky soul
music featured on each soundtrack sounds just fine. No other language
tracks are included, although English, French and Spanish subtitles are
provided. The basic interactive menus allow one access to the standard
scene selection and set up features, as well as each film’s theatrical
trailer on their respective individual DVD.
Both
BLACULA and SCREAM, BLACULA, SCREAM! are a hoot and belong
in every genre fan’s blaxploitation/horror libraries. MGM has done a
good job with both of these DVDs, giving each film the finest looking
presentation that it has ever had. If you are a fan, then you are going to
want to own copies of BLACULA and SCREAM, BLACULA, SCREAM!.
