Uncle Was a Vampire
DirectorSteno
Screenplay
Story
  • Edoardo Anton
  • Marcello Fondato
  • Sandro Continenza
  • Dino Verde
  • Steno
  • Renato Rascel[1]
ProducerMario Cecchi Gori[2]
Starring
CinematographyMarco Scarpelli[1]
EditingEraldo Da Roma[1]
Music
Studio
  • Maxima Film
  • Montflour Film[2]
DistributorC.E.I.-Incom
ReleasedOctober 28, 1959 (Italy)
Runtime90 minutes
CountryItaly[2]
Gross₤ 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.[1] A novelty song by Bruno Martino, Dracula Cha Cha Cha, written for this film, later became a widely covered hit.

Plot

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.

Production

Uncle Was a Vampire was Christopher Lee's first appearance in an Italian film production.[4]

Release

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.[2]

Reception

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

Notes

  1. ^ Curti 2015, p. 30.
  2. ^ Curti 2015, p. 31.
  3. ^ Paul 2005, p. 338.
  4. ^ Curti 2015, p. 32.
  5. ^ Paul 2005, pp. 13–4.

References

  • 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.