BLACULA SCREAMS! Blaxploitation Horror Classic 1970s

Scream Blacula Scream — Blacula Gets His Voodoo Groove Back

This week on Black Deth 101, we return to the coffin for Scream Blacula Scream — the 1973 sequel to Blacula, directed by Bob Kelljan and starring the great William Marshall as Prince Mamuwalde, with Pam Grier stepping into the supernatural spotlight as Lisa Fortier. The film was released by American International Pictures and runs about 96 minutes.

After the death of a voodoo queen, arrogant Willis Daniels gets passed over for leadership of the cult. Mad, jealous, and foolish, he resurrects Blacula — thinking he can control him. Big mistake. Mamuwalde rises again, still tragic, still regal, still cursed, and very quickly reminds everybody that he is no man’s puppet.

In this episode, Nubius Black and Johnny Deth dig into how Scream Blacula Scream shifts the series from gothic romance into voodoo horror, how William Marshall again gives Blacula dignity beyond the script, and how Pam Grier brings strength, intelligence, and spiritual power without simply playing “Foxy Brown with a spell book.” We also talk Richard Lawson’s film debut as Willis, Don Mitchell as Justin Carter, Michael Conrad as Lt. Dunlop, and the movie’s mix of African artifacts, occult ritual, vampire mayhem, and funky ’70s horror atmosphere.

We also get into director Bob Kelljan, best known for the Count Yorga vampire films, and how his horror experience gives this sequel a sharper genre flavor than the first film. Critics were split: Roger Ebert thought the movie looked rushed but praised Marshall and Grier, while Gene Siskel considered it better than the original.

Is Scream Blacula Scream a worthy sequel? Is Mamuwalde a monster, a victim, or the most elegant undead brother in cinema history? And does the movie make the most of Pam Grier, or leave too much power on the table?

Grab your wooden stakes, light the candles, and don’t mess around with bones you bought from a shady old occult dealer.

Featured film: Scream Blacula Scream
Year: 1973
Director: Bob Kelljan
Starring: William Marshall, Pam Grier, Don Mitchell, Richard Lawson, Michael Conrad, Bernie Hamilton
Genre: Blaxploitation horror / vampire horror / voodoo horror
Connection: Sequel to 1972’s Blacula

Blacula, Scream Blacula Scream, William Marshall, Pam Grier, Bob Kelljan, Black horror, Blaxploitation, 1970s horror, vampire movies, voodoo horror, American International Pictures, Richard Lawson, Black Deth 101, Nubius Black, Johnny Deth.

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