Tag Archives: vampire

Review of “Luella Miller” by Mary E. Wilkins Freeman: Halloween Countdown

Plot:The only person alive who remembers Luella Miller is Lydia Anderson, now eighty years old. She never thought Luella was pretty, though her husband Erastus worshipped the ground she walked on. Luella came to teach school but didn’t do much of the teaching. The work was left to one of the older girls, Lottie Henderson,Continue reading “Review of “Luella Miller” by Mary E. Wilkins Freeman: Halloween Countdown”

Review of “Count Magnus” by M. R. James: Halloween Countdown

Plot:The story’s narrator says he has come into possession of some papers belonging to Mr. Wraxall, a traveler and writer of travel guides. In the early summer of 1863, Mr. Wraxall sets off to explore Sweden. At the time, most Britons considered Scandinavia to be a backwater. Snobs. He spends time conducting research at aContinue reading “Review of “Count Magnus” by M. R. James: Halloween Countdown”

Review of “The Sumach” by Ulric Daubeny: Halloween Countdown

For October 26 Plot: Mrs. Irene Barton and her friend Mrs. May Watcombe discuss the unusual appearance of the sumach (more commonly spelled sumac) tree in the garden of Irene’s new house. The leaves have turned red early in August. Irene is sad. Her husband is away in London. Only two days earlier, she lostContinue reading “Review of “The Sumach” by Ulric Daubeny: Halloween Countdown”

Review of “The Spider” by Hanns Heinz Ewers: Halloween Countdown

For October 25 Plot: Medical student Richard Bracquemont tells the police inspector he has a plan to help solve the mystery of three recent suicides. He’ll move into the room where they occurred, #7 of the Hotel Stevens, Rue Alfred Stevens (Paris 6). Against his better judgment, the inspector accepts. He has a phone installedContinue reading “Review of “The Spider” by Hanns Heinz Ewers: Halloween Countdown”

Review of “Mysterious Maisie” by Wirt Gerrare: Halloween Countdown

For October 19 Plot: With her father recently deceased and her mother in failing health, seventeen-year-old Laura must earn a living. She is not (her sister Maggie writes) fit to be a teacher. Even if she were, hearing what Maggie has to say about her own post as an assistant mistress of a high schoolContinue reading “Review of “Mysterious Maisie” by Wirt Gerrare: Halloween Countdown”

Review of “Scream Blacula Scream” (1973)

This week’s Saturday pizza and bad movie was a return to the cheesy flick of yesteryear—a vampire pic to boot. Plot: The film opens with the death of voodoo adept Mama Loa. Her son Willis Daniels (Richard Lawson) then claims her place. Others tell him it’s a matter of voting. A favorite is Mama Loa’sContinue reading “Review of “Scream Blacula Scream” (1973)”

Review of “Blacula” (1972)

I’d long heard of our Saturday pizza and bad movie feature but had never seen it. We watched it with Svengoolie, who issued several warnings for explicit scenes and “stereotypes.” The violence isn’t the-top for a horror film, but it’s definitely not one for the kiddies. Plot: In 1780, lightning streaks across the sky, andContinue reading “Review of “Blacula” (1972)”

Review of “Kiss of the Vampire” (1963)

This is our latest Saturday night pizza and bad movie offering, a vampire flick with a lovely old castle and a creepy old owner with creepy kids who take flight when the sun gets too bright. Of course, the creepy old dude throws a masquerade party. We watched it with Svengoolie. Plot: This opens withContinue reading “Review of “Kiss of the Vampire” (1963)”

Review of “Count Yorga, Vampire” (1970)

This is our Saturday pizza and bad movie offering. Yum. Pizza and prosecco. Plot: While the viewer watches an old-fashioned wooden coffin being hauled in the back of an old-fashioned pickup truck, a narrator describes the legend of the vampire. The truck drives the gates of a large estate. Donna (Donna Anders) has invited someContinue reading “Review of “Count Yorga, Vampire” (1970)”

Review of “Blood of Dracula” (1957)

This week’s Saturday pizza and bad movie offering is a black and white vampire tale set in a girls’ school that involves not even a whiff of Dracula. Forbidden topics include cigarette smoking. The trailer hints at lesbianism, but the movie was made in 1957—you know, before such things existed. An interesting ploy. Plot: Eighteen-year-oldContinue reading “Review of “Blood of Dracula” (1957)”