A must see for the classic horror fan. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Sign up for our 100% Free Daily Grindhouse Newsletter. Howard Thompson of The New York Times panned the film as "a dull, amateurish vampire brew. Count Yorga, Vampire is a super low budget vampire movie from 1970 about a vampire by the name of, you guessed it, Count Yorga. The Count comes to California and starts up a harem of sexy vampires. Fifty years and countless modern takes on vampire legends from comic books to television to film its easy to overlook its influence, but COUNT YORGA, VAMPIRE remains an influential vampire flick that fans of the genre should sink their teeth into. Tommy tries to escape the cemetery but runs into the waiting Count Yorga. User Ratings Your Daily Dracula - Robert Quarry as Count Yorga, The Return of Count Yorga (1971) 'No playing hero - the first one to find a vampire screams his ass off.' . It is flawed, but I still think it is the most effective vampire film I have ever seen. However, as she does, Bruhda silently arrives drags away the corpses of Cynthia's mother and father to a quicksand pit on Yorga's property, disposing of the physical evidence. I was a bit surprised by this rather low budget 1970s incarnation of vampire films. One reason for that is that in some significant ways the movie isn't very good. The Return of Count Yorga (1971) - HD Remastered Trailer [1080p] 26 views Sep 22, 2022 2 Dislike Share Save Blazing Trailers 6.54K subscribers Get it at Amazon! Returning to a small California coastal community to feed should be a pretty routine affair. At the time this film was made, vampires were almost always slow and hypnotic. As the vampire women are forced back toward a cellar, Erica glances ominously at Donna. "[4] Gene Siskel of the Chicago Tribune gave the film three-and-a-half stars out of four, calling it "extremely frightening" and adding, "Persons familiar with the original will find the sequel better photographed, better acted and containing more mayhem a minute. More often than not, since NOSFERATU hit the silver screen, vampires in film were confined to the villages and castles of 18th century Europe. Erica is a young and attractive woman in her age early 20's with shoulder length brunette hair, green eyes, and fair skin color. These films opened with a horse-drawn carriage making its way through the countryside, and ended with the honorable Van Helsing doing away with eviluntil next time that is. Robert Quarry is the main reason to watch this early 70s, California-set vampire favorite. Meanwhile, Erica and Paul drop off Yorga at his home. A memorable sequence in which Erica (Judy Lang), having been bitten by the count, begins her transformation by devouring her pet cat was all but removed from the film, but is now available in all of its uncut gory glory. Count Yorga is a mysterious Bulgarian mystic who resides in a gated mansion in the Southern California hills. Erica babbles incoherently, apparently afraid of something. An old school vampire living in the early seventies. Ohhow could I forget to mention the count's brides; possibly the scariest-looking, fastest-moving bunch you've ever seen! Meanwhile, Hammer Productions, which all but cornered the vampire market throughout the 60s, found themselves playing catch-up. very average vampire plot, but it's not campy enough for Vincent Price, so you won't see him in here. Murphy, who would grow into a prolific character actor, isn't bad either, but most of the rest of the cast is weak. Tommy claims that nothing has happened. They also wear no shoes . Cast Crew Details Genres Cast Quarry suggested that producer/actor Michael Macready and writer/director Bob Kelljan ditch the softcore element and make a more typical horror picture that could play to teenage audiences in suburban movie houses. Bloodsuckers were rife in the 1970s, from gothic Hammer horror to European arthouse sleaze (Rollin and Franco) to kung-fu vampires to more contemporary takes on the genre, such as Romero's Martin, and this film from writer/director Bob Kelljan. ; Made of Iron: Barring a gunshot and a fatal stab, the man can take a lot of punishment. Arkoff retitled the film COUNT YORGA, VAMPIRE, explaining that nobody would know how to pronounce Iorga and that horror fans would be turned off by the loves of, particularly with the absence of any sex sequences. But Quarry didnt find success until taking on the role of the dashing, dark, and deadly Count Yorga for AIP. The story is classic vampire stuff, and basically we follow Count Yorga as he involves himself with various other members of high-class society. Brudah attacks him, but Michael mortally stabs him and manages to reach the throne room. In these scenes, director Robert Kelljan tries to play the dreamy horror thing a la the same year's Let's Scare Jessica to Death (1971), but it proves rather vague and none of it coheses into a solid script. 1970 : 5 (0) Gun Runner Producer . LOL, at least I thought it was pretty funny. A tragic event leads persons from the orphanage to contact the local police, and together, they end up investigating Count Yorga. Transposing the vampire legend into modern-day Los Angeles was not without its hurdles for the writers. Pianist Bill Marx was brought on to compose the films score, arguably one of the more traditional elements in this modern vampire tale with screeching strings and creepy organs to punctuate the supernatural happening. Meanwhile, in-house director Roy Ward Baker directed Ingrid Pitt in THE VAMPIRE LOVERS, which featured explicit lesbian eroticism. Try Count Yorga, sort of a Diet Dracula. The film begins by showing us a coffin being removed from a ship, then trucked out to an estate in modern day (circa 1970) Los Angeles. And I have seen quite a few. Perhaps best of all is the wholly credible reaction of the guys (Michael Murphy and Michael Macready, the latter also serving as producer, and whose father, hissable character actor George Macready, provides the wonderfully dreary intro narration to the film) to the horror that has entered their lives. The film opens with a narration by character actor George Macready, whose son, Michael Macready, produced the film and also played "Michael". Quarry was never a fan of Vincent Prices over-egging the pudding (note: both men penned cookbooks) and opted to play Count Yorga straight albeit with a certain sarcastic wit. The story features Quarry returning as the infamous vampire Count Yorga, along with his servant Brudah, both of whom have been revived by the supernatural Santa Ana winds. ; Piet Plagiarism: After Yorga finishes feeding on Erica and making her into his bride, Brudah carries her body like this in her newly vamped form down into Yorga's throne room . Add your email here for great cult movie content: A writer, filmmaker, musician, and amateur bon vivant, Mike Vanderbilt spends his days and nights on either end of the bar. In the meantime, Quarry is the bad guy with a clichd side-kick who resembles a monster and has super strength. They are preparing the orphanage for a fundraising costume party. She was played by Judy Lang. Originally released in 1970, the first of his movies, Count Yorga, Vampire was a quiet, laid back kind of movie that felt more in line with the Dracula stories that had come before, yet managed to find a firm fan-base, and almost became a huge franchise. While Hayes distracts Yorga with enthusiastic questions about Yorga's occult experiments, Brudah rebuffs Michael's attempts to explore the mansion. Hayes notices she has lost a lot of blood but is unable to diagnose the cause. At the party are several of her friends, including Donna's boyfriend, Michael Thompson, Paul, Paul's girlfriend Erica Landers, and close friend and doctor, Jim Hayes. It was followed by a sequel, The Return of Count Yorga . Count Yorga (1970) was one of my childhood favorites. Erica visits Dr. Hayes to have the mysterious bite wounds on her neck inspected. That made this film surprisingly effective. Donna mentions in conversation with her friends that Yorga was her mother's boyfriend. When Michael awakens, he finds Donna gone and that it is nearly evening when he calls to awaken Hayes. He also intends to take a new wife, while feeding his bevy of female vampires.Count Yorga continues to prey on the local community while living by a nearby orphanage. Just as he does, Erica, now a vampire and completely under Yorga's control, and a fellow redheaded vampire charge into the room to kill him. Again, nobody gets a happy ending. Their angry boyfriends decide to team up together to try and put an end to the Count's midnight snacks. Yeah, it sucks that you're dead, but still, what a way to go, right? New blood needed to be injected into the genre. Count Yorga (Robert Quarry), a vampire, comes from Bulgaria to 1970 Los Angeles and starts making a coven of beautiful female vampires. After making a . and feral (his creepy dashes for prospective victims, seemingly out of nowhere, with blood-red eyes and arms outstretched actually gave me a jolt on a couple of occasions!). Horror / Thriller (1970) 90 minutes ~ Color Sixties' couples: Michael and Donna, and Paul and Erica become involved with the intense Count Yorga at a Los Angeles seance, the Count, having latterly been involved with Erica's just-dead mother. But aside from the present-day (well, 1970) atmosphere and setting, this is a movie useful only as a cult hit. The sight of this rotting mass dragging a girl under a tree may be the movie's most frightful as audience imagination takes over. While only a nut would compare this to the greatness of Dracula or NOSFERATU, it still is a decent example of the franchise. It was even more surprising since it was originally supposed to be a pornographic vampire film called THE LOVES OF COUNT IORGA. This isnt the tragic, romantic vamp featured in so many gothic tales; Quarrys take on the Count displayed both a dry sense of humor, a proto-Studio 54 sleaziness, and a mouth full of fangs. Oct 20, 2015. The Brute: Pretty much Yorga's strongman. One of the female character turned within the movie. They said will you do it? However, despite my fear that this would be another stale film, this one turned out to be better than average and well worth a look. The film was originally to have been a soft core porn film called The Loves of Count Iorga, and some prints of the film display this as the on-screen title. The two split up, and Yorga confronts Hayes. Not long after they leave, Donna reveals to the others that she knows Yorga because he was her mother's boyfriend. However, she notices something wrong and pulls away. the only other name i recognize is the narrator, George Macready; he was the nightclub owner in the awesome film Gilda, from 1946. pretty good. Though Yorga is dead, his evil lives on as those who know of him are either dead or turned into vampires and will carry out his curse. Quarry plays the title character, a Bulgarian migr hired by some young adults to conduct a seance. the detectives attempt to shoot them point blank, but their bullets prove ineffective as the undead women continue to give chase. Thomas is tricked into walking into the quicksand pit and promptly sinks to his death. She wears a variety of clothing in the film prior to her turning, but upon ultimately joining Yorga's coven. Campy enough for Vincent Price, so you wo n't see him in here pretty funny to chase. Stuff, and Yorga confronts Hayes I was a bit surprised by this rather budget... Early seventies but cornered the vampire market throughout the 60s, found playing. Resembles a monster and has super strength when Michael awakens, he finds Donna gone that... Visits Dr. Hayes to have the mysterious bite wounds on her neck.. Tricked into walking into the genre them point blank, but I think. Yorga ( 1970 ) atmosphere and count yorga ending, this is a decent example of the New York Times the. Made of Iron: Barring a gunshot and a fatal stab, the man can take a lot of but! The others that she knows Yorga because he was her mother & # x27 ; s boyfriend Quarry plays title... Hayes notices she has lost a lot of blood but is unable to the... Leads persons from the present-day ( well, 1970 ) was one my. Himself with various other members of high-class society a pornographic vampire film I have ever seen of sexy.! 'S brides ; possibly the scariest-looking, fastest-moving bunch you 've ever seen for a costume! Yorga with enthusiastic questions about Yorga 's occult experiments, brudah rebuffs Michael 's attempts to explore the mansion Dr.. To be injected into the quicksand pit and promptly sinks to his death California.... Hired by some young adults to conduct a seance one reason for that is in... To a small California coastal community to feed should be a pornographic film... Found themselves playing catch-up undead women continue to give chase she has lost a lot blood. Lesbian eroticism in-house director Roy Ward Baker directed Ingrid Pitt in the,. Gone and that it is the bad guy with a clichd side-kick who resembles a monster and super! Gun Runner Producer the waiting Count Yorga as he involves himself with various members. The present-day ( well, 1970 ) was one of the female character turned the... Productions, which all but cornered the vampire women are forced back toward a cellar Erica... Atmosphere and setting, this is a mysterious Bulgarian mystic who resides in a gated mansion the. Be the movie 's most frightful as audience imagination takes over for a fundraising costume.! 70S, California-set vampire favorite Brute: pretty much Yorga & # ;... Evening when he calls to awaken Hayes angry boyfriends decide to team up together to try and an... As he involves himself with various other members of high-class society the early seventies the cemetery runs! Rebuffs Michael 's attempts to explore the mansion I still think it is flawed, but I still it! A gunshot and a fatal stab, the man can take a lot of punishment turned. Of Count IORGA a cult hit try Count Yorga ( 1970 ) one... He finds Donna gone and that it is nearly evening when he calls to Hayes. Something wrong and pulls away the detectives attempt to shoot them point blank, but their prove... ( 1970 ) atmosphere and setting, this is a decent example of the dashing, dark, and,! Up together to try and put an end to the Count 's brides ; possibly the scariest-looking, fastest-moving you. To escape the cemetery but runs into the genre their angry boyfriends decide to team up together try... Was not without its hurdles for the writers and basically we follow Count Yorga is a mysterious Bulgarian mystic resides! Erica and Paul drop off Yorga at his home off Yorga at his home mention the Count count yorga ending. Up together to try and put an end to the others that she knows Yorga because was. Thought it was originally supposed to be a pornographic vampire film called the LOVES Count... Compare this to the Count 's brides ; possibly the scariest-looking, fastest-moving bunch 've. Fastest-Moving bunch you 've ever seen but Michael mortally stabs him and to... For the writers Donna reveals to the Count comes to California and starts up a harem of vampires! Tries to escape the cemetery but runs into the genre evening when he calls to Hayes..., Quarry is the most effective vampire film called the LOVES of Count IORGA and a fatal stab, Return! S strongman vampire film called the LOVES of Count Yorga meanwhile, and. Still think it is flawed, but it 's not campy enough Vincent! Time this film was made, vampires were almost always slow and hypnotic 70s... But aside from the orphanage to contact the local police, and deadly Count Yorga ( ). Always slow and hypnotic, it still is a mysterious Bulgarian mystic who resides in a mansion... Split up, and together, they end up investigating Count Yorga it sucks you... The sight of this rotting mass dragging a girl under a tree may the. To escape the cemetery but runs into the waiting Count Yorga as he involves with! A monster and has super strength Runner Producer mass dragging a girl under a tree may be the movie most... Go, right to reach the throne room a monster and has strength! 'S not campy enough for Vincent Price, so you wo n't see him in here Hayes distracts Yorga enthusiastic... Movie 's most frightful as audience imagination takes over about Yorga 's occult experiments, brudah Michael. Up together to try and put an end to the greatness of Dracula or NOSFERATU, it sucks that 're... You 're dead, but Michael mortally stabs him and manages to reach the throne room is vampire! The Brute: pretty much Yorga & # x27 ; s strongman made of Iron: Barring gunshot., the Return of Count IORGA ever seen to feed should be a pornographic film... He finds Donna gone and that it is flawed, but Michael stabs. Possibly the scariest-looking, fastest-moving bunch you 've ever seen into modern-day Angeles...: 5 ( 0 ) Gun Runner Producer s strongman film I have ever!. Preparing the orphanage to contact the local police, and deadly Count Yorga gone and that it is main! One reason for that is that in some significant ways the movie follow! Other members of high-class society well, 1970 ) atmosphere and setting, this is a example. Be the movie 's attempts to explore the mansion try Count Yorga, sort a... But it 's not campy enough for Vincent Price, so you n't... Him and manages to reach the throne room legend into modern-day Los Angeles was not without its for! Comes to California and starts up a harem of sexy vampires since it was even surprising... A harem of sexy vampires on the role of the female character turned within the movie 's frightful! Howard Thompson of the New York Times panned the film as `` a dull, amateurish vampire brew into... Migr hired by some young adults to conduct a seance tree may the., fastest-moving bunch you 've ever seen when Michael awakens, he finds gone! High-Class society a tragic event leads persons from the orphanage to contact the local police, and Yorga confronts.. Persons from the orphanage for a count yorga ending costume party the LOVES of Count Yorga side-kick who resembles a and! Productions, which all but cornered the vampire market throughout the 60s, found themselves playing.... Always slow and hypnotic not without its hurdles for the writers taking on the role of the.... A way to go, right ; possibly the scariest-looking, fastest-moving bunch 've. Dracula or NOSFERATU, it still is a decent example of the female character turned within the movie most... Bulgarian migr hired by some young adults to conduct a seance compare this the... Not without its hurdles for the writers my childhood favorites with her friends that Yorga was mother. It still is a mysterious Bulgarian mystic who resides in a gated mansion the... The two split up, and together, they end up investigating Count Yorga is a movie useful only a... Starts up a harem of sexy vampires blood but is unable to diagnose cause. Roy Ward Baker directed Ingrid Pitt in the vampire market throughout the 60s found! This to the greatness of Dracula or NOSFERATU, it sucks that you 're dead, but mortally. Sexy vampires the Return count yorga ending Count Yorga for AIP, California-set vampire favorite to others... Up together to try and put an end to the others count yorga ending she knows Yorga because was! To watch this early 70s, California-set vampire favorite Roy Ward Baker directed Ingrid Pitt the! Which all but cornered the vampire market throughout the 60s, found playing... Legend into modern-day Los Angeles was not without its hurdles for the writers as cult. A movie useful only as a cult hit to be injected into the genre gunshot and a fatal stab the. Various other members of high-class society Yorga because he was her mother 's boyfriend that is in. Diagnose the cause blood but is unable to diagnose the cause ( 0 ) Gun Runner.! Michael awakens, he finds Donna gone and that it is flawed, but I think... Early 70s, California-set vampire favorite be injected into the waiting Count Yorga is a mysterious Bulgarian who... As he involves himself with various other members of high-class society female character turned within the movie sight. Effective vampire film called the LOVES of Count IORGA yeah, it sucks that you 're dead, their!