Review: Kiss of the Vampire (1963)

Set in the early 20th century, Edward de Souza and Jennifer Daniel are on their honeymoon when their car breaks down. They seek refuge at a local inn, but are soon invited to a masked ball by Dr. Ravna (Noel Willman). de Souza gets sloshed and when he wakes up the next day, Daniel is gone and much to de Souza’s perplexity no one will claim to have even seen her at the ball the night before. It turns out she’s been the latest prey for the local vampire cult, of which Dr. Ravna is the leader. Clifford Evans plays a frequently drunk, embittered vampire hunter who must sober up and help de Souza. Dolly Read from “Beyond the Valley of the Dolls” has an uncredited role as a vampire cult member.


There are enough fine qualities in this 1963 Hammer vampire film from director Don Sharp (“Rasputin – the Mad Monk”) to recommend it, albeit softly. There’s also enough fine qualities to wish the film was better so I could recommend it more strongly. Like “The Curse of the Werewolf”, this one’s awfully frustrating for a good film. It starts well, with a bloody pre-credits scene that is better than in any Hammer “Dracula” film. It’s marvellous, and the foggy cinematography by Alan Hume (“Cleopatra Jones and the Casino of Gold”, “Return of the Jedi”) is excellent. Scripted by producer Anthony Hinds (“The Horror of Dracula”, “The Curse of the Werewolf”) this is a Dracula film in all but name and very similar to Hammer’s “The Reptile”. It has great atmosphere as well as solid performances from Clifford Evans, Edward da Souza, and Noel Willman.


I was really on board with this film for the first act. Unfortunately it gets bogged down in piano playing and masked balls. Even being under 90 minutes it feels like a slight story that has been padded out with non-vampire stuff. I wanted more vampire stuff, I really enjoyed what we got of it. In fact it plays like a vampire cult here, which helps separate the film from “The Reptile” and the Hammer “Dracula” series. There just isn’t enough focus on that for me to truly, strongly recommend this one. Meanwhile, I’m not sure the finale makes much sense but it’s wacky as hell and the best part of the film. It’s really something.


A mixed bag from Hammer, this vampire tale has just enough good in it to get it over the line. I just think it could’ve been even better.  


Rating: B-

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