Uncle Was a Vampire
| Uncle Was a Vampire | |
|---|---|
 Italian theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Steno |
| Screenplay by | |
| Story by |
|
| Based on | an idea by Mario Cecchi Gori[2] |
| Produced by | Mario Cecchi Gori[1] |
| Starring |
|
| Cinematography | Marco Scarpelli[2] |
| Edited by | Eraldo Da Roma[2] |
| Music by |
|
Production companies |
|
| Distributed by | C.E.I.-Incom |
Release date |
|
Running time | 90 minutes |
| Country | Italy[1] |
| Box office | ₤ 385 million |
Uncle Was a Vampire (Italian: Tempi duri per i vampiri, lit. 'Hard Times for Vampires'[3]) is a 1959 Italian comedy horror film, directed by Steno.[2] A novelty song by Bruno Martino, Dracula Cha Cha Cha, written for this film, later became a widely covered hit.
Plot
[edit]Baron Osvaldo Lambertenghi is forced to sell his ancestral castle to pay his debts. The manor is ingloriously transformed into a frivolous hotel, and Osvaldo is allowed to continue to live there working as a bellhop.
One day Osvaldo receives a visit from his uncle, Baron Roderico da Frankurten, who turns out to be a real vampire. Osvaldo tries to warn the various guests of the hotel, with the only result being that he is taken for a madman.
Bitten by his uncle, Osvaldo will also turn into a vampire, but his beloved, Lellina, will also be able to free him from the curse.
Cast
[edit]- Renato Rascel as Baron Osvaldo Lambertenghi
- Christopher Lee as Baron Roderico da Frankurten
- Sylva Koscina as Carla
- Kai Fischer as Lellina
- Lia Zoppelli as Letizia
- Franco Scandurra as Professor Stricker
- Carl Wery as Director
- Antje Geerk
- Rik Van Nutter as Carla's fiancé
- Susanne Loret as Susan
- Mario Cecchi Gori as Civil law notary
- Franco Giacobini
Production
[edit]Uncle Was a Vampire was Christopher Lee's first appearance in an Italian film production.[4]
Release
[edit]Uncle Was a Vampire was released in Italy on October 28, 1959 where it was distributed by C.E.I.-Incom. It grossed a total of 385 million lire in Italy.
The film was released in the United States in 1964 on television through Embassy Pictures.[1]
Reception
[edit]In his book Italian Horror Film Directors, Louis Paul described the film as "obviously modeled on the slapstick efforts of the comedies featuring the character Totò".[5]
See also
[edit]Notes
[edit]References
[edit]- Curti, Roberto (2015). Italian Gothic Horror Films, 1957-1969. McFarland. ISBN 978-1476619897.
- Paul, Louis (2005). Italian Horror Film Directors. McFarland. ISBN 978-0-7864-8749-3.
External links
[edit]
 | This article related to an Italian film of the 1950s is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |
 | This article about a comedy horror film is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |