MOVIES & MANIA score:
‘5 playgirls walked innocently into his arms… solely to satisfy the satan within the flesh!’
The Playgirls and the Vampire is a 1960 Italian horror movie written and directed by Piero Regnoli, a scriptwriter who additionally co-wrote Andrea Bianchi’s The Nights of Terror; Umberto Lenzi’s Nightmare Metropolis and Lucio Fulci’s Demonia. The film stars Lyla Rocco, Walter Brandi, Maria Giovannini, and Alfredo Rizzo.
Within the US, the movie was launched in 1963 by Richard Gordon (Tower of Evil; Horror Hospital). A shortened American TV model was retitled Curse of the Vampire. The unique Italian title was L’ultima preda del vampiro – translation: “The Vampire’s Final Prey”.
Plot:
A feckless troupe of European unique dancers and their piano participant, led by a bumbling handle,r come across a citadel after encountering a ferocious storm. The citadel, inhabited by Rely Kernassy, his assistant and a vampire, is hardly a refuge for the travelling showgirls as they slowly fall beneath the spell of the undead demon.
Vera, one of many reluctant dancers and the dwelling doppelgänger of the vampire’s lifeless spouse, Margherita Kernassy—who has been lifeless almost 200 years—turns into the item of affection for each Rely Gabor and the vampire…
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Extras embrace ‘Kim Newman: Vampire Hunter’ Featurette, Uncommon 8mm model Final Fling of the Vampire. Authentic Theatrical Trailer. Additional Scene from French model and optionally available Italian audio monitor + English subtitles.
Our assessment:
The pseudo-scientific method to curing vampirism is intriguing, the playful ‘comedy’ is self-deprecating, and the “playgirls” are a energetic distraction. Nevertheless, Walter Brandi is an uninspiring evil depend, and Aldo Piga’s piano-based rating sadly remembers the silent period slightly than the Sixties. That stated, there’s a welcome innocence to Regnoli’s movie that predates Jean Rollin, Jess Franco, later Hammer horror and numerous different extra overtly titillating vampiric ventures.
Ade Smith, MOVIES & MANIA
Different evaluations:
“Regnoli had no qualms in attending to the purpose: intercourse […] The Playgirls and the Vampire is much less keen on staging scary scenes than to find pretexts to indicate the actresses in see-through nightgowns and excessive heels, regardless of how idiotic and far-fetched the plot may sound.” Roberto Curti, Italian Gothic Horror Movies, 1957 – 1969 e-book
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“Unencumbered by horror make-up this time, Brandi tries as a substitute to form his blandly unthreatening options into the sexy-stern mould perfected by Christopher Lee. He fails. Worse nonetheless, he’s fully upstaged by Maria Giovanni’s revived Katia, one in every of 5 stranded burlesque dancers…” Jonathan Rigby, Euro Gothic e-book
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“Although imitative and marred by unimaginative path, the movie doesn’t really want to depend on contemporary ideas or an environment of stress. Titillation is the key phrase on this flick, which is extra about voyeurism than vampirism. We’re handled to intermittent peep reveals as the ladies seem in varied states of undress earlier than Kernassy sinks his enamel into their necks.” Lawrence McCallum, Italian Horror Movies of the Sixties e-book
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“A couple of surprises, together with a “doubling” or “twin” plot twist, come on the conclusion. All 5 women are cute; none is attractive. One does a semi-striptease. All seem in scanty Sixties underwear. Principally ,they exhibit their legs. A good animated ageing impact comes on the finish.” David Elroy Goldweber, Claws & Saucers e-book
Alternative dialogue:
“The energy of affection is miraculous when you can consider it!”
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Within the UK, the movie was double-billed with German film The Head
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The Playgirls and the Vampire, Piero Regnoli’s cheeky 1960 Italian fangs ‘n’ flesh teaser, has been launched on Blu-ray by Vinegar Syndrome for the primary time, newly restored in 4K from its 35mm nice grain grasp and introduced in each its unique Italian language model and English dub.
Particular options:
Area Free Blu-ray
Newly scanned & restored in 4K from its 35mm nice grain grasp
Introduced in its unique Italian language mono soundtrack with newly translated English subtitles, in addition to an English dub mono soundtrack
“Striptease Gothic” (26 min) – a dialog with MOVIES & MANIA contributor Mark Thompson Ashworth
Authentic trailer
Alternate “The Playgirls and the Vampire” opening title sequence
Alternate “Curse of the Vampire” opening title
Alternate “Des filles pour un vampire” French title sequence
Nonetheless gallery
Reversible sleeve art work
Newly translated English subtitles
Order direct from Vinegar Syndrome and get a particular spot gloss slipcover (designed by Alessa Kreger), which is proscribed to five,000 models and is barely obtainable on their web site and at choose indie retailers.
Important forged:
- Lyla Rocco … Vera
- Walter Brandi …Rely Gabor Kernassy / The Vampire – The Satan’s Wedding ceremony Evening; Terror-Creatures from the Grave; The Vampire and the Ballerina; Slaughter of the Vampires; Bloody Pit of Horror
- Maria Giovannini … Katia, the sufferer
- Alfredo Rizzo … Lucas, the supervisor – The Bloodsucker Leads the Dance; Slaughter of the Vampires
- Marisa Quattrini
- Leonardo Botta as Fernand
- Antoine Nicos
- Corinne Fontaine
- Tilde Damiani
- Erika Dicenta
- Enrico Salvatore
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