African prince is “converted” to blood thirsty, undead vampire by Dracula. The Prince becomes a vampire and progresses through the centuries turning others in to vampires in his passing. Very entertaining vampire flick from the 1970’s that follows Blacula’s modern day wake of death and destruction as he feeds his hunger for blood. Naturally, a lot of the film takes place at night which lends a creepy air and some of the surprise vampire attacks are startling. Some of the action is clumsy and dumb but William Marshall as Blacula lends a sinister, menacing presence. Fantasy movie veteran Elisha Cook Jr. turns up as a hospital attendant. (See “The Night Stalker”, “House on Haunted Hill”). As I have said many times before, they don’t make them like this anymore. This movie has a look that is ALL 1970’s.
Tag Archives: 1970’s
THE KINKS – “FATHER CHRISTMAS” – SOMETIME IN THE 1970’s
“Father Christmas” is the great rock band, The Kinks, hamming it up and clowning in their Christmas getups in this satirical music video. The Kinks’ main songwriter, Ray Davies, wrote this Christmas song in 1977 and its theme and attitude fits the times. Punk rock had basically broken out over the airwaves and this song talks about angry, annoyed kids demanding cash money and no toys for Christmas and beating up and mugging department store Santas and generally behaving very badly. Punk rock was antiestablishment and Christmas is based on long standing traditions, and, you get the idea. The music is very spirited and aggressive and chugs along at a good pace.
It is a shame that the video posted here is a bit damaged and indistinct. There is a lot of color shifting and video breakups and the focus is a little soft. Oh, well. What you can make out reflects a fine, humorous romp and “Father Christmas” has become a holiday standard on classic rock stations. It has become part of the tradition of Christmas.
Well done Kinks!!!