The Return of Count Yorga 1971 Directed by Bob Kelljan Synopsis The DEATHMASTER is Back from the Grave Count Yorga continues to prey on the local community while living by a nearby orphanage. Initially conceived as a sort of T & A horror flick, it eventually morphed into a standard horror outing, though some sexually prominent elements remain. Here, the Bulgarian-born Count Yorga is a recent transplant to California, and we first meet him conducting a sance on behalf of Donna, whose late mother was involved with the alleged psychic. She is trying to connect with her recently deceased mother, who was also the lover of Quarry from three weeks prior to her death. Horror / Thriller (1970) 90 minutes ~ Color Sixties' couples: Michael and Donna, and Paul and Erica become involved with the intense Count Yorga at a Los Angeles seance, the Count, having latterly been involved with Erica's just-dead mother. It is no mystery, due to the title of the film, that he is a vampire. This is listed as Count Yorga, Vampire, but the opening title thinks it's going to be called "The Loves of Count Iorga"; the explanation in the Trivia section gives us the full story on why that is. Madden tries to find a way to him, but he gets lured in by a voice from the shadows (thinking it is Baldwin) and then killed by Tommy who stabs him in the same way he murdered Jennifer. They chase Michael and Donna downstairs until repelled by Michael's cross. Its revealed that Yorga insisted that Donnas mother not be cremated so that he could add her to the undead harem that he keeps in the old-world dungeon of his thoroughly modern home. In one scene, Yorga is seen watching a Spanish-language version of The Vampire Lovers on his television. Yorga attacks them, knocking out Paul and biting Erica. To her horror, she sees that Baldwin's skin has turned pale and bite marks are on his face, revealing that he has transformed into a vampire (having apparently not escaped from the brides unscathed). Quarry would appear in another independent production, THE DEATHMASTER in 1973 which featured the actor as a vampire hippie guru modeled after Charles Manson. He also grimly adds they might have to kill Paul and Erica too if they have become vampires, since the vampire curse will make them evil and loyal to Yorga. Even Van Helsing had a hard time convincing his peers and the authorities of supernatural goings-on in the 1800s, and that became increasingly difficult in the 70s and 80s. Yorga quickly kills him by choking him to death, then having his servant Brudah (who has seemingly supernatural strength himself) break his back. On top of this, we hear narration telling us a bit about vampire legends. Despite knowing how dangerous their chances are, they stock up on stakes and makeshift crosses before heading to Yorga's mansion as night falls. 1970 : 5 (0) Gun Runner Producer . In this edition I discuss my favorite scenes from the film Count Yorga, Vampire! Once again, as in Vampire Lovers, the traditionally based vampire legend comes back from the grave containing the permissive sexual standards of the times. The Return of Count Yorga (originally titled Yorga Returns) is a 1971 American vampire horror film directed by Bob Kelljan and starring Robert Quarry, Roger Perry, Yvonne Wilder, George Macready, Rudy De Luca, Edward Walsh, and Craig T. Nelson in his feature film debut. YORGA began its (after)life as a softcore skin flick under the title, THE LOVES OF COUNT IORGA, (that title card is still featured on most available prints of the film). Prepare to meet Count Yorga. Although Michael is skeptical, the three men consider the possibility of vampirism as an excuse for Erica's behavior and agree to look into it while letting Erica rest. COUNT YORGA, VAMPIRE (Bob Kelljan, 1970) ***, My Friend Will Have a Hamburger and a Quart of Blood, Please, Another Terrific Vampire Flick from the Sexy 70's, Different take on the legendary Dracula story. A tragic event leads persons from the orphanage to contact the local police, and together, they end up investigating Count Yorga. When the women don't respond to their question and continue tho silently advance on them. My dad was also a fan of this one as well. Welcome to the Catacombs of Horror. Following a jarring and somewhat harrowing experience in the sance, the party breaks up and young Murphy and Lang give Quarry a ride home. They said will you do it? Lest one believes that the quest for the PG-13 rated horror film (read: more teenagers in the seats, and more money in studios pockets) is a new development, the filmmakers had to submit YORGA to the MPAA six times in order to receive a GP rating (equivalent to todays PG). The Count appears to have no reason to be at the boarding school's halloween bash, but he is there, uninvited, clashing with the other guests. The 1970s produced acclaimed horror films like The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, The Exorcist, Jaws, Carrie, and Halloween. the guys spend most of the film running around, looking for the girls. One of the female character turned within the movie. Excellent too are Roger Perry and the entire cast, except for Perry's bed partner who gets more lines than she can handle. Paul decides to go to Yorga's house and disappears and Donna's mate Michael 'Mike' Thompson (Michael Macready), Jim and Donna decide to pay a visit to Count Yorga late night. Quarry told actor/producer Michael Macready he would play the vampire role if they turned the story into a straight horror film.[2]. User Ratings Quarry would don the cape again one year later for the studios THE RETURN OF COUNT YORGA, as well as the foil to Vincent Prices Dr. Anton Phibes in 1972s DR. PHIBES RISES AGAIN (its rumored that early in the production of the PHIBES sequel, Phibes was to take on Count Yorga himself). Anderson plays a young lady who holds a sance with her boyfriend and two other couples along with Quarry who leads the event. Of course, I said yes, if its going to be a straight horror film.. Director Bob Kelljan Writers Bob Kelljan Yvonne Wilder Stars Robert Quarry Mariette Hartley Roger Perry See production, box office & company info Search on Amazon In the dark, this is still a pretty intense film. Yorga awakens in his manor and heads to his basement which has been converted into a throne room where his two vampiric brides lie on slabs. "[5] Kevin Thomas of the Los Angeles Times wrote that "writer-director Bob Kelljan has freshened up the formula pretty well he and his attractive cast of unknowns do succeed in persuading us to go along with the hokum for the duration of the film's fast-moving 90 minutes. The climax is also pretty memorable, and there are a few other scenes (like when the protagonists try to keep Yorga around for sunrise) that come across as pretty original. Good subdued erotica, as the bat-toothed girls slink around in filmy gowns. The story starts properly once he has bitten one of the young women, who is later found with massive blood lossand feasting on the family cat Count Yorga, Vampire, I remember seeing this movie as a kid and it scared the heck out of me. Seeing Dracula in seventies Los Angeles makes for a rather different atmosphere surrounding the tale, but it's definitely a welcome one and one that has influenced many films since the release of this one. The actor clearly relishes the chance to perform this type of role and brings a gravity to it, despite some of the lighter and campier aspects of the movie. Your Daily Dracula - Robert Quarry as Count Yorga, The Return of Count Yorga (1971) 'No playing hero - the first one to find a vampire screams his ass off.' . Yorga takes her away, preparing to turn her into his new bride while leaving his army of brides to finish off Baldwin. This time, the Count (played by Robert Quarry), having purchased an old mansion in California, is terrorising the nearby Westwood Orphanage. The film was released theatrically in the US by American International Pictures in 1971. COUNT YORGA brought the vampire to modern-day America in full bloody color as culture and fashion were shifting: the free love era of the late 60s was giving way to the cocaine and disco fueled 70s, and the popularity of pornographic films was inspiring a new era for libertines. Hours later, Ellen's fianc Jason is lured to Yorga's mansion by Tommy, on the claim that he found Ellen. Count Yorga (Robert Quarry), a vampire, comes from Bulgaria to 1970 Los Angeles and starts making a coven of beautiful female vampires. Together with his harem of vampire mistresses, they wreak havoc upon the friends and family of Cynthia Nelson (Mariette Hartley), who Yorga intends to take as his vampire bride. Tommy tries to escape the cemetery but runs into the waiting Count Yorga. He also intends to take a new wife, while feeding his bevy of female vampires. It's also kind of slow and surprisingly dry with its tone. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=The_Return_of_Count_Yorga&oldid=1146721931, This page was last edited on 26 March 2023, at 15:40. Yorga and Baldwin fight with Baldwin surprisingly seeming stronger than before, however, Yorga gains the advantage. Murphy, who would grow into a prolific character actor, isn't bad either, but most of the rest of the cast is weak. The concerned men drive to her home where they find the place in disarray, and a hysterical Erica eating her kitten. 2016 Daily Grindhouse - All Rights Reserved | Design by, COUNT YORGA AT FIFTY: HOW A SKIN FLICK BECAME THE INFLUENTIAL VAMPIRE MOVIE OF THE 70s. The truck then climbs to a gated mansion in the Southern California hills.[1]. In my book, this little indie effort more than holds its own against the better known Hammer neck-biters of the same era, and is not to be missed. The two split up, and Yorga confronts Hayes. You have to know what you're in for when you sit down to watch a movie like "Count Yorga." The next morning, Jennifer, the Nelsons' mute maid, finds the massacre scene along with Tommy and calls the police. While I wouldn't call this a classic vampire movie, it does have enough offbeat touches to make it worth a look for B horror fans. These include the comely Donna Anders, Judy Lang, Mariette Hartley and Yvonne Wilder. Possible SPOILER (if you've never seen a vampire flick before!). They restrain her and call Hayes, who finds that Erica has suddenly lost a lot of blood and begins an emergency blood transfusion. Yorga awakens Donna telepathically and has her sabotage Michael's alarm clock before having her come to the mansion. Originally released in 1970, the first of his movies, Count Yorga, Vampire was a quiet, laid back kind of movie that felt more in line with the Dracula stories that had come before, yet managed to find a firm fan-base, and almost became a huge franchise. Meanwhile, the pastor falls for Yorga's charms and reveals the others' suspicions that he is a vampire, alerting Yorga of danger. Macready, who produced and directed the film (and enlisted his more famous father to provide a ripe, flavorful voice-over), while nice enough looking, is almost laughably expressionless and wooden during most of his screen time. As such, The Return of Count Yorga is a film with a good beginning and ending - alas the bits in between are often a drag. In addition to Siskels glowing review for the Chicago Tribune, Roger Greenspun of the New York Times called Quarry the best chief vampire I have seen in years. Kenneth Thompson of The Monthly Film Bulletin praised the acting and direction, comparing YORGA to NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD. Quarry plays the title character, a Bulgarian migr hired by some young adults to conduct a seance. They also wear no shoes . Falling into a suit of armor, Baldwin grabs a metal mace and knocks Brudda out with a violent blow to the face. They dated a few weeks shortly before her death. Marsha and Quarry had been lovers. During the seance, Count Yorga builds a strong bond between Donna, the grieving daughter, and himself. Count Yorga (Robert Quarry), a vampire, comes from Bulgaria to 1970 Los Angeles and starts making a coven of beautiful female vampires. It's up to those that are left, including Michael (Michael Macready, who also produced the film), and doctor / blood specialist Jim Hayes (Roger Perry), to wage war with the fiend. Awards He is about to take her when he hears Baldwin scream his name, who seemingly has escaped the brides. ; Made of Iron: Barring a gunshot and a fatal stab, the man can take a lot of punishment. As well as two Count Yorga movies he also directed 'Scream Blacula Scream' and the notorious 'Rape Squad'. Ohhow could I forget to mention the count's brides; possibly the scariest-looking, fastest-moving bunch you've ever seen! 'Count Yorga, Vampire' is interesting because it is set in contemporary America, quite a rarity at the time. Pianist Bill Marx was brought on to compose the films score, arguably one of the more traditional elements in this modern vampire tale with screeching strings and creepy organs to punctuate the supernatural happening. Marx composed quite a few exploitation scores throughout the 70s, returning for the following years sequel RETURN OF COUNT YORGA, its pseudo-sequel THE DEATHMASTER, as well as Kelljans SCREAM BLACULA, SCREAM, ACT OF VENGEANCE (aka RAPE SQUAD), and the sci-fi cheapie, THE ASTRAL FACTOR. "[4] Gene Siskel of the Chicago Tribune declared it "the best horror film of the year. As I said, an entirely realistic series of responses that really aids the viewer in buying in to the story. Dr. James 'Jim' Hayes (Roger Perry), who is a family friend, sees Erica drinking the blood of a cat and he believes that Count Yorga is a vampire. At the beginning of the film, not long after the seance. But it's worth remembering that Count Yorga was released back in 1970 at the tail end of a decade-long dominance of the genre by Hammer, whose vampire output had consisted exclusively of period-set tales, and it was to be another two years before they brought their house vampire into modern times with Dracula AD 1972. Quarry suggested that producer/actor Michael Macready and writer/director Bob Kelljan ditch the softcore element and make a more typical horror picture that could play to teenage audiences in suburban movie houses. Thomas Yvonne Wilder as Jennifer Produced by Michael Macready Music by Bill Marx Directed by Bob Kellian Photographed by Bill Butler Youll receive instant access to exclusive insider movie content, member only deals, first dibs at limited editions, and more. A pickup truck snags a boxed-up coffin and head into the city. Yorga has all of. Quarry plays the Count with a charm that is both amiable and yet caustic. 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