Blacula Starring William Marshall

This past weekend, Horror Show host Svengoolie showed Blacula (1972), starring William Marshall in the titular role of the vampire, an African Prince named Mamuwalde who is cursed by the original Count Dracula two centuries prior. Svengoolie did mention that there are some gay and racial stereotypes, but, otherwise, this is a darn good film. Sven also noted, as does IMDB, that William Marshall insisted that the vampire be portrayed and as a dignified character, so as to avoid negative stereotypes for the main character, which resulted in a fairly complex backstory for Mamuwalde, as well as providing character traits and motivations as the leading lady played by Vonetta McGee, Tina, resembles Mamuwalde’s long dead wife, Luva.

Blacula poster - IMDB

I’ve never seen Blacula before, and have been interested in seeing it mainly due to the fact that William Marshall is the star, and he is a wonderful actor. Most people, especially long time Trek fans, know Marshall best from his role in the Star Trek episode “The Ultimate Computer”, however he is also a noted Shakespearean actor (more on that later in this post). Marhsall’s voice is similar to that of James Earl Jones, deep and booming, and very distinctive.

Surprisingly to me, Elijah Cook, a long time character actor (The Maltese Falcon, The big Sleep and, yes, Star Trek – episode “Courtmartial”) is also in it as a supporting victim, I mean character.

The hero of the film is Dr. Gordon Thomas (Thalmus Rasulala – and yes, he appeared in an episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation), leads the investigation into a number of mysterious deaths and the disappearance of bodies. People go missing around him as he and and Tina’s sister, Michelle (Denise Nicholas) put two and two together and come up vampire, eventually figuring out that the source of the evil is Tina’s new romantic interest, Mamuwalde, aka Blacula, who is pursuing Tina due to her resemblance to his lost love, Luva. The “this lady resembles my lost love, therefore I must pursue her” is a much used trope in vampire stories, including Bram Stoker’s Dracula (1992) and the ‘60s soap opera Dark Shadows. It may not be the most unique trope, but it works, and eventually leads to Mamuwalde’s demise.

The film also features the band The Hues Corporation performing in the nightclub scenes, and I found their lead singer, H. Ann Kelley to have a marvelous voice. I had to look the band up as Sven made mention that their biggest hit was “Rock the Boat”, a song I remember from my youth. A great song.

Despite the stereotypes, it is a fine movie, and is the first film with a Black vampire.

Now the reason why this was an important film for me. Back in 1979, I was at the Old globe Telethon, a fund raiser for the Old Globe Theater in San Diego’s Balboa Park, which, along with the San Diego Aerospace Museum had burned down a year previously. (I think I have the timeline correct). Having participated as staff for a local science fiction convention, I was there with the con organizer to present a check for the Old globe Theater. As such, and with camera in hand, I was able to get some good pictures. Unfortunately I did not have control over two of the three rolls of film used. Fortunately the photo I took of William Marshall performing a soliloquy from Shakespeare’s King Lear. Little did I know that years later I would encounter William Marshall at a science fiction convention in Los Angeles.

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William Marshall, San Diego, 1979 -
Canon AE1 with a 50mm f/2.4 (I think that's right) lense using Kodak slide film

Fast forward to 1996, L.A., and I present to Marshall the photo I took of him (the print shop unfortunately printed it backwards as it was from a slide), he asked me where I got the photo. When I told him that I took it at the Old Globe Telethon in 1979, he asked if I could send him a copy. How could I say “no” to such a request. Of course I said “YES!” After he signed the front of the photo, he flipped it over and wrote his mailing address. Once I returned home after the con, I went back to the print shop and made sure that they printed a fresh 8x10 from the slide, correctly this time, as well as a duplicate transparency, and sent it off to William Marshall.

So, not only have I always enjoyed seeing William Marshall on Star Trek, and a great memory of his performance at the telethon, but a great personal experience with Marshall. I am fortunate to have crossed paths with him again as he passed away a few years later in 2003. A fine man and a wonderful actor.

I hope you enjoyed this write-up as it is more about a fine actor than the movie I featured.

Thanks for stopping by.

Posted using CineTV