There is certainly no shortage of full-length movies to watch online. If your tastes are anything like mine (and since you are reading this, I bet they are) then you have probably seen the majority of the mass-produced, low to high budget horror films of the past 20 years. Not knocking them, some of my favorite films come from the Hammer, Dark Castle, and New Line vaults; but sometimes you have to look back at the films and directors that influenced our current flock of movie monster makers.
For me, there is really no greater joy than finding an old black and white horror film that I have never seen before. Especially when they are Italian made and feature a cast beautiful women. Case in point; Vampire and The Ballerina from 1960. the original title of the film is L’amante del Vampiro. Directed by Renato Polselli who directed some 20+ films in the horror, crime and thriller genres.
This film revolves around a dance school in the countryside that is tormented by a vampire. There is love, there is death, there is lots of playful romping. After being trapped by a storm, our future victims seek refuge in what they think is an abandoned old castle.
From the IMDB page “A troupe of beautiful young dancers find themselves stranded in a sinister, spooky old castle, not knowing that it is home to a group of vampires. “
Italian horror films are renowned for their amazing cinematography and brilliant use of light and shadows. This is no different, a true noir film.
Polessi who died in Italy in 2006 was known as much for his writing as his directing. His career spanned multiple decades and saw him working as a screenwriter, director, actor, and production manager. Next up I am going to watch the film Django Kills Softly (1967) that he wrote the screenplay (under the name Leonide Preston)for. I love a good Spaghetti Western, too.
