When the blaxploitation classic Blacula made an impression with audiences back in 1972, releasing company American International Pictures jumped at the chance to make a sequel. Almost a year later Scream Blacula Scream (1973) was born. The movie resurrected the modern-day African American version of Dracula and brought him back to once again terrorize the Watts district of Los Angeles, ground zero of urban black culture in the 70's. Screenwriter Raymond Koenig was rehired to pen the Blacula sequel along with Maurice Jules (who had written The Velvet Vampire [1971] a few years earlier). Returning to the project was Shakespearean actor and opera singer William Marshall as Prince Mamuwalde/Blacula. Marshall had commanded the first film with his intense performance and gave a certain gravitas to an otherwise comically named character.

Filmmaker Bob Kelljan, who had just come off directing duties for Count Yorga, Vampire [1970] and The Return of Count Yorga [1971], was brought in behind the camera to replace original Blacula director William Crain. Kelljan had previously been an actor, starring alongside Jack Nicholson in both Hells Angels on Wheels [1967] and Psych-Out [1968]. He also directed the strange incest film Flesh of My Flesh (1969). Legendary cult actress Pam Grier was also brought in to costar opposite Marshall. Having just scored a huge success in the starring role of Coffy (1973), AIP obviously sought to extend her current popularity by bringing her in to play the female lead. In addition, black character actor Richard Lawson was signed up to play the pompous voodoo priest Willis, bringing some comic relief to the proceedings.

Scream Blacula Scream begins with a group of young, African American voodoo practitioners mourning over their deceased leader. An argument erupts after Willis (Lawson) brazenly names himself as the group's new master. When the group goes against the idea he decides to unearth the deceased Blacula as payback. During a ceremony involving Blacula's bones and blood taken from a live bird, our antihero emerges, looking just as dangerously dapper as he did in the first film. Willis's plan backfires, however, and he is quickly made into a Blacula slave.

In the meantime, Lisa (Grier) becomes the new leader of the voodoo sect and soon Blacula sets his sights on her. It's at this point that the sequel takes a different route than the first film; instead of attempting to win back a woman he thought was his long lost love, this time around Blacula wants to reverse the spell that made him a vampire in the first place. Recognizing Lisa as a priestess powerful enough to do just that, Blacula chooses to protect her throughout the film. As Lisa's friends begin to fall prey to Willis's frightening new fangs, LAPD forensic pathologist Justin (Don Mitchell) assumes the Van Helsing role, making an attempt to solve the strange murders while romancing Lisa.

Willis's coven of the undead grows and grows, including his own girlfriend (played by Lynne Moody). He sets his sights on Lisa next but his impetuousness catches up to him after Blacula instructs him and the other vampires not to touch Lisa under any circumstances. Simultaneously, Justin has finally figured out what's going on and departs for the vampires' lair with the police in tow, prepared to take out any and all bloodsuckers. Blacula begs Lisa to perform the voodoo ritual that will turn him back into the Prince he was at the beginning of the first Blacula film when the fuzz arrives. Blacula becomes instantly enraged and turns on Lisa but she uses the voodoo doll from the ceremony to destroy Blacula...or does she?

Despite an open ending that leaves room for another sequel, Scream Blacula Scream makes an entertaining companion to the first Blacula movie. The patently 1970's set design and costuming alone make it an enjoyable film to watch. The annoyingly brash Willis provides most of the comic relief in the film, as he sports his hilarious leisure suit and perfectly coiffed James Brown hairdo. And while Pam Grier is disappointingly underused (and, unfortunately for some, adequately clothed) throughout the movie, the real treat here is Marshall. The actor's sheer presence and powerful performance make him one of the better screen vampires.

Producer: Joseph T. Naar
Director: Bob Kelljan
Screenplay: Maurice Jules, Raymond Koenig, Joan Torres
Cinematography: Isidore Mankofsky
Film Editing: Fabien D. Tordjmann
Art Direction: Alfeo Bocchicchio
Music: Bill Marx
Cast: William Marshall (Mamuwalde/Blacula), Don Mitchell (Justin), Pam Grier (Lisa), Michael Conrad (Sheriff Dunlop), Richard Lawson (Willis), Lynne Moody (Denny).
C-96m. Letterboxed.

by Millie De Chirico