Son of Dracula (1974)

Director:

Freddie Francis

Writer:

Jennifer Jayne (writer)

Release Date:

April 1974 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Horror | Musical

Tagline:

The First Rock-and-Roll Dracula Movie!

Plot:

Due to be crowned King of the Netherworld by his mentor Merlin the Magician at a monster's convention Count Downe...

Plot Keywords:

Dracula | Vampire | Independent Film | Character Name In Title

Cast

Harry Nilsson	...	Count Downe
Ringo Starr	...	Merlin, the Magician
Dennis Price	...	Van Helsing
Suzanna Leigh	...	Amber
Freddie Jones	...	Dr. Frankenstein
Peter Frampton	...	Musician
Keith Moon	...	Musician
John Bonham	...	Musician
Rosanna Lee	...	Girl
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
David Bailie	...	Brian
Morris Bush	...	Monster
Shakira Caine	...	Housekeeper (as Shakira Baksh)
Ricki Farr	...	Musician
Bobby Keyes	...	Musician
Nita Lorraine	...	Gorgon Woman
Skip Martin	...	Igor
Dan Meaden	...	Count Dracula
Rachelle Miller	...	Club Hostess
Beth Morris	...	Wendy
Jim Price	...	Musician
Jenny Runacre	...	Woman in Black
Klaus Voormann	...	Musician
Hedger Wallace	...	Vampire
Lorna Wilde	...	Countess Dracula
Derek Woodward	...	Werewolf

Also Known As:

Count Downe (UK)
Young Dracula

Runtime:

USA:90 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

USA:PG

Trivia:

David Bowie was originally considered for the role of Count Downe.

Soundtrack:

Daybreak

Good for a Larf

Yes, this is indeed a movie, albeit one very difficult to get your hands on--try the internet, it was never officially released on video. This is basically a plot less showcase for the musical genius that was Harry Nilsson. He plays the son of Count Dracula--named Count Downe [groan]--who wants to be mortal so he can marry this woman he's in love with. Or something like that. Ringo Starr looks after Count Downe as Merlin the Magician--with pasty makeup and a fright-wig beard--for some reason, but it really doesn't matter. In fact, there are no full-fledged musical numbers--just Count Downe appearing on-stage at some club and performing--with the exception of his Pete Hamm cover "Without You," in a particularly sappy scene.

It also features strange attempts at comedy. Count Downe's butler uses the word "contretemps" in conversation, then the word appears at the bottom of the screen with a question mark beside it. And the fact that at the end of the credits, Merlin appears in an animated sun and shrugs in an oh-so Ringo way, just proves that--despite its many schlocky tendencies--it is worth a look, if it's not too much trouble.