12 Myths That Combine Vampires With Religions

One of the most iconic of images–the vampire cowering when confronted with a cross (makes one wonder how the creatures handle a graveyard?). Not quite what folklore tells, but containing a grain of truth. Religion and the idea of the dead drinking blood entwined long ago: 1. Vampire Burials In recent years, archeologists found something…

Countess Draculas

Arguably starting with the film Dracula’s Daughter, the notion of the famous Count’s distaff side attracted audience members and storytellers.  Ingrid Pitt of course starred in a film titled Countess Dracula, although the character in question was in fact Ezebet Bathori (quite famous in her own right). In fact, the original source material, i.e. Bram…

David Campton’s “Carmilla”

Several play versions of Joseph Sheridan LeFanu‘s classic novella exist, from the Wildclaw Theater‘s grand guignol adaptation to recent musical in development and even one penned by yours truly.  There’s one particular version that has seen several different productions in the United Kingdom since its premiere in the 1970s–that of David Campton (who also wrote…

LTROI series for A&E

First there was a best-selling novel, which became a wildly popular film in its native Sweden.  Then an English-language adaptation, a Swedish-language play, following by an English-language play performing first in Edinburgh then London then New York.  Now Let The Right One In is slated to join the line-up of A&E.  Teen Wolf  writers Jeff…

Carmilla Musical on Its Way?

A few weeks ago, a staged reading of a new musical took place for one afternoon only.  Based on Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu‘s gothic classic of vampires and sapphic love, Carmilla was penned by the same man who also wrote a three character musical based on Marie Antoinette.  I had the good fortune to interview…

Fright Night 2: New Blood

There’s something inherently dishonest in the title of this film.  After all, it does not really have anything to do with the 2011 remake.  If anything it counts as a remake.  We have another Charley Brewster (Will Payne) who clearly shares no history with the “previous” film. Ditto Amy Peterson (Sasha Parkinson), Peter Vincent (Sean…

Angels of Darkness (aka Styria)

Beginning March 1, 2015 the motion picture Styria aka Curse of Styria aka Angels of Darkness will begin airing on Showtime Cable. This most recent major film adaptation of Joseph Sheridan LeFanu’s gothic classic Carmilla has been in the works for several years and vampires.com has been covering it for nearly as long! We even…