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Vampire Circus (1971) — Episode 26 — Decades of Horror 1970s

“Your children will die…to give me back…my…life…” – the  prophetic  tagline gasped by Count Mitterhouse during the 13 minute pre-credits opening for the most bizarre vampire film, the most unusual Hammer Film, sets up the curse that drives Vampire Circus (1971). The Black Saint and Doc Rotten tackle another groovy horror film from the 1970s.

Decades of Horror 1970s
Episode 26  — Vampire Circus  (1971)

Horror aficionado and film maker Bill Mulligan returns to co-host Decades of Horror along with  The Black Saint and Doc as they dig into the vault of Hammer horror for the first time with Vampire Circus. The film is full of vampires and henchmen as the Circus of Nights invades the small Austrian village of Stetl where the curse of Count Mitterhouse has cast is black shadow onto the townsfolk – in the form of the black plague. The vampires lead by gypsy woman, a dwarf clown and Emil, Count Mitterhouse’s cousin. The film is full of early 70’s nudity and an unusual amount of blood and gore – even for a Hammer film – which is indicative of the changing times in cinema and horror films of the decade. In addition, there is an unexpected tie to the biggest film of the Seventies, the sci-fi classic Star Wars with Darth Vader himself, David Prowse, cast as the Strongman.

We want to hear from you – the coolest, grooviest fans:  leave us a message or leave a comment on the site or email the Decades of Horror 1970s podcast hosts at theblacksaint@decadesofhorror.com or docrotten@decadesofhorror.com.

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Doc Rotten
Doc Rotten is the founder of Gruesome Magazine. He is also a film critic for Gruesome Magazine and the podcast host & producer for Horror News Radio, Monster Movie Podcast, Decades of Horror: 1970s, The American Horror Story Fan Podcast and Hannibal Fan Podcast. He is also co-host of the Dracula podcast on TV TALK and is a contributing reviewer for HorrorNews.Net and Widescreen Warrior. Doc a lifelong fan of horror films, sci-fi flicks and monster movies first discovering Universal Monsters and Planet of the Apes as a young child in the 1970's searching out every issue of Famous Monster of Filmland (and, later, Fangoria). Favorite films include Jaws, The Car, The Birds, The Tingler, Vampire Circus and The Exorcist. Still a huge fan of horror films from the 70s, Doc continues consuming horror films to this day for the site, for the podcasts and for the fun of it all.
http://www.docrotten.com