THE DEATHMASTER (1972)
Director: Ray Danton
Retromedia Entertainment

In 1970, COUNT YORGA VAMPIRE was a top grosser for AIP, and before they could even issue a sequel, its star, Robert Quarry, was off appearing in another independently produced horror film (in which he would also serve as executive producer of), playing a Manson-esque vampire. Some time after it was filmed, AIP picked up the film and titled it THE DEATHMASTER in the midst of Quarry's contract with the studio and their attempts to mold him as a sort of new Vincent Price.

THE DEATHMASTER starts with a coffin washing ashore a California beach, only to be retrieved by a tall, creepy lackey named Barbado (LaSesne Hilton), killing a surfer dude in the process. Soon after, a romantically linked motorcycle couple (William Jordan and Betty Anne Rees from SUGAR HILL) arrive and get into a quarrel with a longhaired hippie named Peco (Bill Ewing) and his girlfriend Rona (Brenda Dickson). After Peco demonstrates his threatening kung fu techniques, all is forgiven and they all head off for a giant beach-side secluded house that's now acting as a hippie commune.

All seems fine in the peaceful abode, with much typical hippie activity (including a few folk songs courtesy of Bobby "Monster Mash" Pickett), but suddenly a new, older member who introduces himself as Khorda (Robert Quarry) enters the scene. With his long hair, goatee, and exotic threads, Khorda becomes sort of a guru to the young people, offering them his philosophies on self improvement and such, but soon things aren't as peachy as they appear.

Our host begins taking a bite out of everyone in sight, and Peco manages to escape having seen all the long-toothed horrors within. He seeks the help of a middle-aged poncho-wearing merchant named Pop (played by character great John Fiedler). Pop makes Anthony Eisley's beatnik character from DRACULA VS. FRANKENSTEIN look acceptable in comparison, but that's another story. Anyway, after Pop's mutt is bit on the neck, he's finally convinced to go back to the house with Pico and get down to some vampire hunting. Not only do they have the almighty Khorda to deal with, but they also have to face some hungry leaches, a secret underground cave, and house full of trippy dancing vamps.

Packed with an array of "everything but the kitchen sink" thrills, THE DEATHMASTER is a perfect drive-in movie, displaying all the characteristics of what made these AIP films so appealing. Quarry is great as usual, and the film works as a nice companion to the YORGA flicks. Director Ray Danton (YOUNG HANNAH QUEEN OF THE VAMPIRES, THE PSYCHIC KILLER) manages to set up a number of impressive camera shots that sometimes even feel like the work of YORGA director Bob Kelljan. Although THE DEATHMASTER has often suffered ill criticism in the past, fans of Quarry and modern-day 70s vampire films will want to give this another look, especially that it's on DVD.

I used to always catch this film here in New York on Channel 9's "Fright Night," a Saturday night horror program. It hasn't been on TV in years and was never released on home video (except through dingy bootlegs). Fortunately, Retromedia was able to secure the rights to this almost lost film and initiate its U.S. home video premier as a special edition DVD. Using the original 35mm negative for the transfer, the picture looks fantastic. Letterboxed in its original 1.85:1 aspect ratio with Anamorphic enhancement, the colors are bright and the fleshtones are given accuracy never before realized for this title. The elements are in flawless condition with excellent detail and grain being very limited. The sound has been give the 5.1 Surround treatment and is very robust but exhibits occasional background noise, probably due to the age of the recording elements. Basically, THE DEATHMASTER has the look of an early 70s AIP DVD from MGM's "Midnite Movies" line (Thankfully, Retromedia kept the AIP logo at the beginning and end of the film).

A commentary with Robert Quarry is moderated by his good friend, Retromedia's Fred Olen Ray (who saw it at the drive-in with THE THING WITH TWO HEADS), and it's a delight from start to finish. Ray and Quarry have a lot of fun with it and get along greatly, and Quarry doesn't need much coaxing, actually talking a lot and remembering much about the film, even specific scenes and dialog. Among other things, Quarry reveals that THE DEATHMASTER was bought up by AIP as a tax write-off, and that Sam Arkoff actually intervened with his getting the role as a the vampire in "The Night Stalker" TV movie. He also relates that the fangs he wore were made by his dentist and were also used in both YORGA films. Quarry and AIP fans are going to love listening to this track.

Other extras on the disc include four separate still galleries. One is made up various still from THE DEATHMASTER, one has behind-the-scenes shots from it (with a clapboard revealing a December '70 shooting date under the title "Guru Vampire"), one with portrait shots of Quarry, and one with stills of him from various films and stage productions with other famous performers.

Also included is the original DEATHMASTER theatrical trailer, a trailer for COUNT YORGA (longer than the one on the MGM disc) and a TV spot for SUGAR HILL. A black and white cigarette commercial has a young Quarry picking up a pack of Lucky Strikes at a diner and happily lighting up in his car. A 70s Shasta Soda commercial has DEATHMASTER star John Fiedler as a supermarket cashier confronting Frankenstein's monster. Two radio spots for COUNT YORGA and two for SUGAR HILL round out this great package. Highly recommended. (George R. Reis)

 

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