Review: Kiss of the Vampire (1963)
Set in the early 20 th 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 ...