Vamp [Blu-ray]

Director: Richard Wenk Richard Wenk

Overview

Predating the 1990s cycle of vampire-stripper films (From Dusk Till Dawn, Bordello of Blood, etc.) this cynical entry from director Richard Wenk concerns frat boys looking for a go-go girl to perform at their upcoming party. Wandering to the wrong side of town, the randy youths enter a seedy strip joint populated by vampires. Grace Jones is the nasty ringleader, Katrina, who acknowledges the film's debt to Hammer's Vampire Circus by performing an erotic dance painted in zebra-stripes. Among the heroes, co-star Robert Rusler is far more interesting than the bland lead (Chris Makepeace), while Gedde Watanabe manages to be both unfunny and offensive by turning in the most ridiculously stereotyped Asian performance since John Wayne assayed Genghis Khan in The Conqueror. This is the least of the comedic vampire films that came out in the mid-'80s, and although Billy Drago is menacing as the evil Snow and Greg Cannom's special effects are striking, Vamp remains unfunny and not frightening in the least. Famed female bodybuilder Lisa Lyon appears as a stripper named Cinnamon, and Dedee Pfeiffer, Hy Pyke, and Simmy Bow are among the recognizable supporting cast.

Product Details

Release Date:	09/20/2011
UPC:	0014381746051
Original Release:	1986
Rating:	R
Source:	IMAGE ENTERTAINMENT
Region Code:	A
Sound:	[monaural]
Language:	English
Time:	1:34:00
Sales rank:	13,887

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Chris Makepeace	Keith
Sandy Baron	Vic
Robert Rusler	AJ
Grace Jones	Katrina
Dedee Pfeiffer	Amaretto
Gedde Watanabe	Duncan
Billy Drago	Snow
Brad Logan	Vlad
Lisa Lyon	Cimmaron
Jim Boyle	Fraternity Leader
Larry Spinak	Student
Mitch Carter	Actor
Cathy Cavadini	Actor
Eric Welch	Student
Greg Finley	Actor
Stuart Rogers	Student
David McCharen	Actor
Gary Swailes	Sock Salesman
Ray Ballard	Coffee Shop Proprietor
Bryan McGuire	Pool Player,Pool Player
Paunita Nichols	Maven
Trudel Williams	Dragon Girl
Marlon McGann	Hard Hat
Thomas Bellin	Shorty
Jan Rabson	Actor
Leila Hee Olsen	Seko
Marilyn Schreffler	Actor
Hilary Carlip	Jett
Francine Swift	Dominique
Tricia Brown	Candi
Naomi Shohan	Bartendress
Janeen Davis	Bartendress
Ytossie Patterson	Waitress
Tanya Papanicolas	Waitress
Robin Kaufman	Little Girl
Hy Pike	Desk Clerk
Pops	Dead Man in Car
Bob Schott	Gang Leader
Adam Barth	Dragon
Bill Morphew	Dragon
Simmy Bow	Bum
Roger Hampton	Police
Andy Rivas	Police
Julius Leflore	Garbage Truck Driver
Greg Lewis	Bus Driver
Hy Pyke	Desk Clerk
Dar Robinson	Security Guard
Deborah Fallender	Voices
Dennis Tufano	Voices

Technical Credits

Donald P. Borchers

Richard Wenk

Donald P. Borchers	Producer,Screenwriter
Greg Cannom	Special Effects
Chris Chesney	Special Effects,Special Effects,Special Effects,Special Effects
Jarn Heil	Special Effects
Dar Robinson	Stunts
Joseph Viskocil	Special Effects
Richard Wenk	Director,Screenwriter

Editorial Reviews

The mid-'80s gave birth to a string of horror comedies, most of them junk, but this unique entry manages to rise above the pack in a number of ways. First off, Vamp boasts a tight script by director Richard Wenk that gets the blend of comedy and horror just right, allowing the two moods to switch off with each other in ways that cleverly toy with the audience's expectations. Wenk also directs the film with a sure hand, giving it a crisp, colorful look and working in some unusual set pieces between the expected horrific and comedic moments (like a fight scene set to the tune of "Volare"). Best of all, the film boasts a game cast that brings the story's many colorfully drawn characters to life. Chris Makepeace makes an engaging "unlikely hero" type, Gedde Watanabe provides some skillfully timed comic relief, and Billy Drago and Grace Jones invest some genuine menace into their villain characters. All in all, Vamp is the rare horror comedy that doesn't insult a horror fan's sensibilities, and is likely to interest those who don't normally go for anything horror-related.

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