Robert Quarry and his Count Yorga character finally get a nice box set release featuring the two films and lots of cool goodies just in time for Halloween! Originally intended as a softcore sexy shocker, Quarry only agreed to do the film if the sex was toned down and the film treated as a proper horror piece. Director Bob Kelljan creates a spooky atmosphere with some memorable shock scenes and not only do the films hold up but this release also validates the Yorga cult who have championed these films for years.
One of the interesting things about the films and character is that it takes the classic Lugosi/Lee style of vampire and places him in early 70’s Los Angeles and San Francisco. With his erudite manner, cloak and well-coiffed hair, Quarry is perfect. One of Hollywood cult cinema’s great legends is about how AIP was grooming Quarry to be their number one guy when Vincent Price was ready to hang it up and when Quarry let it out, Price was not happy but it didn’t matter since AIP would be gone not long after.
The first film (onscreen title The Loves Of Count Iorga, Vampire) is a focused assault with nods to both Universal and Hammer Studios with a handsome, well-dressed Count and sexy, barefoot vampire brides in flowing gowns. The original title on the print is a giveaway that this is the uncut version of the film with bloodier scenes including one that is, as the late Chas Balun would say, a real chunk blower. The second film doesn’t quite pack the punch of the first and has more sarcasm but still has a few good scares and is a fun watch. Actor/producer Michael Macready brought in his father George Macready to do the voice over in the first film and he appears in the second. The effective scores for both films were composed by Bill Marx, son of Harpo Marx.
The films look and sound great. There may be some speckling in a couple of the night scenes but these are due to the source. Some of the scares in both films involve silence before the big pop and the audio serves these scenes well. Extras include lots of commentaries, video essays, trailers and radio spots but the really fun goodies are the collector’s book, the reproduction press book, a reversable poster and 12 lobby card replicas.
