FANGS OF THE LVING DEAD (1968)
Director: Amando de Ossorio
Retromedia Entertainment

In the late 60s after the arrival of Paul Naschy's LA MARCA DEL HOMBRE LOBO (known in the States as FRANKENSTEIN'S BLOODY TERROR), the popular Spanish horror cycle was just starting to boom. Known also as MALENKA THE VAMPIRE, THE VAMPIRE'S NIECE, THE BLOODY GIRL, and a number of other titles, FANGS OF THE LIVING DEAD marks the first genre feature of Spanish horror specialist Amando de Ossorio who would go on to deliver the remarkable quartet of "Blind Dead" zombies films (1971-1975).

The plot involves 50s Swedish starlet Anita Ekberg as Sylvia, a fashion model who learns that she has inherited a castle from some long lost relatives. When she arrives, she discovers a so-called uncle that's as young as she is. The uncle is played by Julián Ugarte, who had just donned a vampire's cloak and fangs for FRANKENSTEIN'S BLOODY TERROR and is hear doing pretty much the same thing. The castle is properly eerie, strange things naturally occur, and Sylvia learns of her family's undead history and a centuries-old relative named Malenka who was burnt at the stake for practicing alchemy (Ekberg essays this role as well, sporting a black wig in a red-tinted sequence). When a jealous boyfriend and his goofy buddy show up looking for Sylvia, they become vampire hunters along with a drunken doctor and the superstitious locals.

FANGS OF THE LIVING DEAD is light, comedic stuff. It's an atmospheric horror spoof that well-prepared de Ossorio for more momentous assignments. The authentic castle interiors and exteriors give the film a rich look, and there are many bosomy ladies strutting around to serve as rousing eye candy. The cast is filled with Spanish horror regulars, including Rosanna Yanni and Diana Lorys (both worked frequently with Paul Naschy and Jess Franco) and Fernando Bilbao (the massive actor who portrayed the Frankenstein Monster in several Franco abominations).

This DVD, represents the U.S. cut of the film, as it was released here as FANGS OF THE LIVING DEAD as part of an early 70s drive-in triple bill labeled "Orgy of the Living Dead." The other two titles on the program were REVENGE OF THE LIVING DEAD (a retitling of Elio Scardamaglia's THE MURDER CLINIC) and CURSE OF THE LIVING DEAD (a retitling of Mario Bava's KILL BABY KILL). This U.S. version runs considerably shorter than the European cuts, but mostly what is removed is a lot of talky fluff and references to the vampiric occurrences being a hoax. This DVD also includes the extended end sequence not seen in most foreign video editions, but it's missing a brief bit of violence during vampire Ugarte's death.

Retromedia's DVD presents a full-frame flat print source of better than average quality. Colors always look very vivid and the print is in very nice shape. The original hard-matted photography is cropped (only the title sequence is letterboxed) on the sides and top and bottom. The audio consists of the English-language mono track and is perfectly clear. There are no extras on the disc, but the back cover contains humorous and revealing liner notes by Spanish horror expert Mirek Lipinski. (George R. Reis)

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