‘5 playgirls walked innocently into his arms… only to meet the devil in the flesh!’
The Playgirls and the Vampire is a 1960 Italian horror film written and directed by Piero Regnoli, a scriptwriter who also co-wrote Andrea Bianchi’s The Nights of Terror; Umberto Lenzi’s Nightmare City and Lucio Fulci’s Demonia. The movie stars Lyla Rocco, Walter Brandi, Maria Giovannini, and Alfredo Rizzo.
In the US, the film was released in 1963 by Richard Gordon (Tower of Evil; Horror Hospital). A shortened American TV version was retitled Curse of the Vampire. The original Italian title was L’ultima preda del vampiro – translation: “The Vampire’s Last Prey”.
Plot:
A feckless troupe of European exotic dancers and their piano player, led by a bumbling manage,r stumble upon a castle after encountering a ferocious storm. The castle, inhabited by Count Kernassy, his assistant and a vampire, is hardly a refuge for the travelling showgirls as they slowly fall under the spell of the undead demon.
Vera, one of the reluctant dancers and the living doppelgänger of the vampire’s dead wife, Margherita Kernassy—who has been dead nearly 200 years—becomes the object of affection for both Count Gabor and the vampire…
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Extras include ‘Kim Newman: Vampire Hunter’ Featurette, Rare 8mm version Last Fling of the Vampire. Original Theatrical Trailer. Extra Scene from French version and optional Italian audio track + English subtitles.
Our review:
The pseudo-scientific approach to curing vampirism is intriguing, the playful ‘comedy’ is self-deprecating, and the “playgirls” are a lively distraction. However, Walter Brandi is an uninspiring evil count, and Aldo Piga’s piano-based score unfortunately recalls the silent era rather than the 1960s. That said, there is a welcome innocence to Regnoli’s film that predates Jean Rollin, Jess Franco, later Hammer horror and countless other more overtly titillating vampiric ventures.
Ade Smith, MOVIES & MANIA
Other reviews:
“Regnoli had no qualms in getting to the point: sex […] The Playgirls and the Vampire is less interested in staging scary scenes than in finding pretexts to show the actresses in see-through nightgowns and high heels, no matter how idiotic and far-fetched the plot might sound.” Roberto Curti, Italian Gothic Horror Films, 1957 – 1969 book
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“Unencumbered by horror make-up this time, Brandi tries instead to shape his blandly unthreatening features into the sexy-stern mould perfected by Christopher Lee. He fails. Worse still, he’s completely upstaged by Maria Giovanni’s revived Katia, one of five stranded burlesque dancers…” Jonathan Rigby, Euro Gothic book
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“Though imitative and marred by unimaginative direction, the film doesn’t really need to rely on fresh concepts or an atmosphere of tension. Titillation is the keyword in this flick, which is more about voyeurism than vampirism. We are treated to intermittent peep shows as the women appear in various states of undress before Kernassy sinks his teeth into their necks.” Lawrence McCallum, Italian Horror Films of the 1960s book
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“A few surprises, including a “doubling” or “twin” plot twist, come at the conclusion. All five girls are cute; none is gorgeous. One does a semi-striptease. All appear in scanty 1960s underwear. Mostly ,they show off their legs. A decent animated ageing effect comes at the end.” David Elroy Goldweber, Claws & Saucers book
Choice dialogue:
“The strength of love is miraculous if you can believe it!”
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In the UK, the film was double-billed with German movie The Head
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The Playgirls and the Vampire, Piero Regnoli’s cheeky 1960 Italian fangs ‘n’ flesh teaser, has been released on Blu-ray by Vinegar Syndrome for the first time, newly restored in 4K from its 35mm fine grain master and presented in both its original Italian language version and English dub.
Special features:
Region Free Blu-ray
Newly scanned & restored in 4K from its 35mm fine grain master
Presented in its original Italian language mono soundtrack with newly translated English subtitles, as well as an English dub mono soundtrack
“Striptease Gothic” (26 min) – a conversation with MOVIES & MANIA contributor Mark Thompson Ashworth
Original trailer
Alternate “The Playgirls and the Vampire” opening title sequence
Alternate “Curse of the Vampire” opening title
Alternate “Des filles pour un vampire” French title sequence
Still gallery
Reversible sleeve artwork
Newly translated English subtitles
Order direct from Vinegar Syndrome and get a special spot gloss slipcover (designed by Alessa Kreger), which is limited to 5,000 units and is only available on their website and at select indie retailers.
Main cast:
- Lyla Rocco … Vera
- Walter Brandi …Count Gabor Kernassy / The Vampire – The Devil’s Wedding Night; Terror-Creatures from the Grave; The Vampire and the Ballerina; Slaughter of the Vampires; Bloody Pit of Horror
- Maria Giovannini … Katia, the victim
- Alfredo Rizzo … Lucas, the manager – The Bloodsucker Leads the Dance; Slaughter of the Vampires
- Marisa Quattrini
- Leonardo Botta as Fernand
- Antoine Nicos
- Corinne Fontaine
- Tilde Damiani
- Erika Dicenta
- Enrico Salvatore
