'50s Trash?: Blood of Dracula

 This is actually a companion piece to my last Review, although I don't know who would know if I didn't say something.  This is Blood of Dracula, a 1957 Film that is notable for historical purposes...but is also quite forgotten.  It was Directed by Herbert L. Strock, who mostly did TV Shows...including The Veil.  The same guy who brought you the tale of would-be-reincarnated love also brought you this Horror Film just a year earlier.  He also Directed a Film called Battle Taxi, which is not as exciting or silly as it might sound (it's a WWII Drama, it seems).  He also did the *original* version of How to Make a Monster, a Film who's Remake would sully Cable for the next Decade.  So what is Dracula up to this time?  Well...nothing.  Despite the Title, there is no Dracula in this Film.  They say the phrase 'a Dracula' one time and there is a vampiric connection, but that's it.  I guess it is better than a Film about crazed non-cannibals that was called I Drink Your Blood.  Low bar, I know.  A woman is sent to a Prep School by her Dad and new Stepmom (who vanish after the first 10 minutes).  There she finds trouble with the girls running the place behind the scenes.  A Lady Scientist decides to experiment on her, leading to many deaths!  Science!  Science?  I'll cover the historical significance of the Film near the end, so just wait.  For now, try not to gag on the...

A young woman is unhappy with her Dad.

Her Mom- and his wife, obviously- died a mere 6 weeks ago and he's remarried.

So the pair can enjoy their Honeymoon, they enroll her in a new School...a very private and remote School.

At the School, her somewhat(read:very)-abrasive manner rubs the girls the wrong way.

She doesn't exactly make friends easily, especially now.

At the School, a lady Scientist- who teaches Chemistry- has a Thesis to prove, but nobody will support it.  I'm glad that's changed since 1957!

To test it out, she needs a real subject.  Guess who she picks.

To make this Title have any bearing on the Film, she hypnotizes our Heroine with an amulet 'from the Carpathian Mountains.'

This has an odd side-effect: it makes her turn into a Vampire!

Said Vampire is the *first* in North America to actually show fangs.  That may sound wrong, but think about Tod Browning's Dracula and really remember...no fangs.

As for how this makes sense, well, shut up.

The Film kind of peaks at this point, so I'd rather talk about the Title confusion.

In 1969, we get a Film that added the " 's" and "Castle" to the name.  Unsurprisingly, it also added John Carradine...

In 1974, we got Blood FOR Dracula aka Andy Warhol's Dracula.

Of course, more famously, a big Studio added 'Taste The' to the Title and made a far more memorable Film.

Oh and she kills the Doctor, but also dies herself.  I mean, that was obviously going to happen, right?

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A decent, but very-dated Film.  The Story here has some real potential, but they never quite reach it.  The idea that she is transforming against her will is interesting.  Obviously, Lon Chaney covered this territory well with this 'woe is me' portrayal of The Wolfman.  I do like the build, as she is not aware of the original transformations.  Once she realizes it, she tries to fight them and can't quite succeed.  Ultimately, it is her not fighting them, but rather redirecting her rage that ends her life...and the Doctor's.  I like how they covered their bases here, but having acid burn up the Doctor's notes too.  No Sequel for you!  The dated stuff comes from the overall presentation and one Scene in particular.  The girls have a party and their designated man (the one allowed on Campus) brings 2 friends with him.  One of them does a prolonged song-and-dance number that time stamps the Movie pretty drastically.  That may be a positive for you or not.  I'm of two minds on the Vampire Make-Up.  I like that it is a bit inhuman.  I also don't like that it is perhaps a bit too inhuman, given that she was transformed via hypnosis.  If Dracula's blood actually played a part in the Story (LIKE IT SHOULD!!!!), then I'd not have an issue.  One funny thing to note: a Doctor investigating the murders is the first one to suggest that a Vampire did it.  Why?  Well, his Roommate in Med School was from- you guessed it- the Carpathian Mountains!  What are the odds of that?!?  Blood of Dracula is a decent, oft-forgotten Film that is a big part of Film History...but is ultimately not the most exciting or daring one.  It is nice to see a 1950s Film that passes The Bechdel Test, at least.  Speaking of testing, this alternate Title is even more of a lie and really tests my patience...

Next up, I'll try to find a Werewolf Film that has been missed so far.  Let's see what I dig up.  Stay tuned...