Blind Spot

Made either right before BLOOD OF THE VAMPIRE or around that time is BLIND SPOT, a film with a story by Robert S. Baker and produced by Monty Berman. It doesn't officially have the two together in one capacity, with Berman carrying the heavy load of producer all by himself. The film is distributed by Butchers (yes, that's the name), and it is one of the many criminal black-and-white films produced in England. One must mention that this film is a remake of BLACKOUT, produced by Baker and Berman in 1950. But there is no mention of BLACKOUT's story (from Carl Nystrom) and screenplay (from director John Gilling). Baker is named in BLIND SPOT for his original story! Both Nystrom and Gilling worked for Baker and Berman, so a mystery as to the appropriate credit.

This film is unique in the time it was made as the ratio is in widescreen, as can be seen by the screen captures. This wider aspect ratio may have been a test run for future scope films from the duo or just innocently reading the tea leaves. The film can be seen on Amazon's Prime, as well as many such British black-and-white films, which otherwise would not be seen this readily.

BLIND SPOT stars Robert MacKenzie an actor who looks like a cross between Fred MacMurray and Sterling Hayden.  All of MacKenzie's films seem to be made in Britain, so he was either originally Canadian or American, or else he had a great accent. With these black-and-white British films, a quota of using an American star was generally wanted.

The story has more interest in having the main character blind, but that doesn't last long, as he soon regains the sight lost in a military airplane accident. But before he regains his sight, the mystery is set in motion. He discovers a dead body at his feet and a tie-clipping with a RAF insignia. The rest of the film is okay, not particularly good or bad. It will hold interest if one is in the mood.

Unless you are a devotee of the IMDB even before you watch a film or pay attention to cast credits, you may be surprised by who turns up. I will say no more, other than he is important to the plot. And here he is....

A couple of years later, Robert MacKenzie made five episodes of the British series CHARLIE DRAKE, a slapstick comedy show somewhat similar in its skits to THE BENNY HILL SHOW. The last episode MacKenzie did in this series had an interesting name for his character. It was Dr. Wolfit!

One would like to view this episode to see if there is a mischievous wink on Donald Wolfit and some skit about BLOOD OF THE VAMPIRE. It is doubtful that this show will turn up on Prime, however.

How Many Jacks Do You Have?

The Blu-Ray release of Baker and Berman's JACK THE RIPPER was met with enthusiasm. Severin, always "enterprising," was going to be the company putting it out. And then people got the Blu-Ray and there was criticism. The naysayers said quality was not as good as expected, there were cuts, etc., etc..... Apparently, Severin listened. Why? The Blu-Ray may have still needed a push to make if profitable. After all, the film was in black-and-white, the kiss of death for some regardless of the film's reputation.

Severin has recently released what they say is the European version (French language) in a separate package. While this could be free if one ordered one of their new and higher priced Blu-Rays (BLOOD ON SATAN'S CLAW), it was also available alone, but not for free. I bought it inexpensively from a seller in eBay.

The Blu-Ray arrived safe and sound, well packaged, so that there were zero complaints on my part. In the future I will review this Blu-Ray, and the one preceding it. After all, the film is one the hallmarks coming from Baker and Berman. And, yes, I know a few things already about this European cut....

How many Jacks can on have? Videos, DVDs, Blu-Rays...

I am still waiting for the ultimate addition to this film: a small scale model, similar to Aurora's controversial torture chamber "Monster Scenes," that depicts one of the bloody murders of the Ripper. It can be done, but we may have to wait for another version of the Baker and Berman classic.

The Eye of the Beholder

Beautiful, isn't it? The American artwork for BLOOD OF THE VAMPIRE. Universal-International went beyond the graphics of HORROR OF DRACULA, a film they released a few months earlier. I will have more on this poster art and HORROR OF DRACULA. But for now....

Chills and Thrills and Sloppiness

The other day I received my order from Amazon of the new paperbound of FROM GOTHIC CHILLS TO CULT TV THRILLS, subtitled THE BAKER AND BERMAN STORY. My interest was self-evident. However, I was dismayed that the book met my expectations. I had seen previous "We Belong Dead" material, which didn't impress me as being authoritative from a scholarly view. Nor was the book visually impressive. But I got the book anyway. After all, it was about Baker and Berman.

I immediately found out that it was self-published. That didn't bother me, as I use self-publication myself, but there is a warning sign. There usually is no outside editor and proofreader with such books. Being one's own writer, editor, proofreader can take time and even more time (tell me about it!), but done correctly, the results can be similar to what the "big boys" employ and can even surpass them. The fact that other people behind the scenes are credited in this book is not really doing a service to them. The book is sloppy. Whose fault is that?

*     *     *

THE BRITISH 'B' FILM has the same quotes, but footnotes both of them, so you know where they are from. Thankfully, GOTHIC CHILLS mentions one source, but not the other one. Frequently, the book does not mention sources, even the photos used and taken from the internet. Screenwriter Jimmy Sangster is quoted frequently, but where?

Photos. It is one thing to use a photo online without mentioning where it is from unless there is clear ownership and the name of the photographer, but another thing to use a photo in a book and stretched like this one:

 The real photo--from the IMDB:

And sometimes there are screen captures, but they can be stretched, too:

Many, if not all photos are taken from the internet. One impressive shot of Baker and Berman as elderly is taken from an online source, maybe this one.

The chapter I read had several instances of a semi-colon being used wrong. Its use was intrusive. There is also a space mark with the mark showing!

I can understand and sympathize that "mistakes can be made," but usually one or two are a limit. What I read has a lot more than one or two, and shows a frivolous attitude that is both baffling and disappointing.

As British-based, "We Belong Dead" should have better access to British material than those outside of Britain. This can be a plus, and still may be here, but at this point I don't know. I intend to take a look per film as I am researching a particular film. Though I am familiar with some of the films here, and sometimes very familiar, I will leave more criticism when I get to my own research.

So...good stuff in a way, but could have been much, much better.

For Halloween

BLOOD OF THE VAMPIRE was released in the States in time for Halloween. In late October, theaters began showing the film, and there were several promotions countrywide for the film. And many ads across the States, such as this one:

What is unusual in the above ad is the placement of MONSTER ON THE CAMPUS. Generally, it was on the lower half the bill and far smaller to the BLOOD film.

The British Pressbook

The front of British pressbook, cleaned a bit by me. Hat-tip to the amazing Zombo's Closet. 

Inside the pressbook can be found:

Our Bravest Girl

In the promotion of BLOOD OF THE VAMPIRE, a young woman was selected to sit in a theater alone and at midnight to watch the film by herself.  And, yes, someone was chosen...

Coming Soon!

Our first Blu-Ray review! (Hint: It's not a Baker and Berman film.)

Was Vampira Promoting Blood?

BLOOD OF THE VAMPIRE, of course. In my research, I have come across Vampira (Maila Nurmi) rising out of Vampira retirement to promote BLOOD OF THE VAMPIRE. Here is the proof:

Star Tribune, October 30, 1958

Pasadena Independent, October 22, 1958

Democrat and Chronicle, December 11, 1958

It seems as if Vampira showed up, but there is no proof, like a flyer, or her actual appearance. Like this one:

 

The Los Angeles Times, October 30, 1954

Blood of the Vampire

To whet your appetite?

Intro

The films of Robert S. Baker and Monty Berman, sometimes both as producers and directors, started some time ago before their notorious, BLOOD OF THE VAMPIRE in 1958. But the focus is on the era of mainly Victorian England that a few of their films depicted so memorably.

Our interest is in the aforementioned BLOOD OF THE VAMPIRE, as well as THE FLESH AND THE FIENDS, JACK THE RIPPER, THE HELLFIRE CLUB, and even THE SIEGE OF SYDNEY STREET and their last feature together, THE SECRET OF MONTE CRISTO.

Also examined are other films that were of a time period where ruffles were worn, the promise of female bosoms held saucy enticement, danger lurked in dark by-streets and souls, boisterous pubs were filled with cloudy smoke and pitchers of frothing beer, and people spoke proper English or in heavy British accents which needed an interpreter for us Yanks.