Dracula Bites the Big Apple

This short film was made in New York in 1979 at a time when the city had a thriving underground film-making culture. A lot of the short movies made at that time and place are now classified under the No Wave movement. Lots of them were subversive and daring but a few were just silly. I'm not 100% certain if Dracula Bites the Big Apple qualifies as a No Wave movie but it certainly shares a similar aesthetic and it does fit into the sillier side of the bracket. It is best known now as the film that got director Richard Wenk noticed, leading him to make the 80's comedy-horror Vamp, a film with some cult value.

Its story is very simple - Dracula takes a plane to New York to sample new blood but finds the late 70's Big Apple too much for even him. The emphasis in this one is squarely on humour not horror. Early on the Count starts up a big musical number, singing the awful song 'Dancing in the Moonlight' with a variety of passing New Yorkers. He then stalks a woman in the underground and Central Park but it ends in a big joke. The last straw for him is being refused entry to the Studio 54 disco nightclub by its owner Steve Rubell on the basis of him not being able to dance.

Like most short films it simply has not enough time to make any real impression. I suppose it does at least try to keep things moving along and it has been made on an absolute shoestring but it's a film that is only of limited interest. Probably ultimately of most value as a snapshot of late 70's New York.

As a filmmaker and an open minded critic, I felt devoted to having to write this review in this movie's defense. Because of a single stupid user reviewers who has deemed this musical comedy short terrible, it has lost a much deserved audience. Not only is this short worth watching more than once, it is a great example of what all independent, low budget, shorts should be. Besides successfully telling a great story, Dracula Bites the Big Apple showcases what NYC in the late 70's was like. Including, showcasing several NYC landmarks such as the Empire State Building, Studio 54, and area of Central Park and Coney Island, this movie has fun with its musical and comedic numbers. Richard Wenk does a terrific job directing his talents -Peter Loewy and Barry Gomolka. Having a cameo from Steve Rubell alone makes this short a must see. This was filmed on film. That alone puts this gem into a category of its own. The production value, concept and acting adds to this fantastic find. Those who critic this as anything terrible has no authority in doing so. In fact, Dracula Bites the Big Apple is a perfect example of what all independent films should be. It is original, fresh, funny. Real, and in the end, a true labor of love from those involved.

Located as an extra on the Special edition DVD of the movie "Vamp", this 22 minute short is what got Wenk the job doing that film in the first place. It has to do with Count Dracula leaving Thansyvania for New York for it's "pulsating night life". Watching it in 2005, it has dated well at all and is way too shrouded in the '70's a decade that any sane person wish didn't exist due to the crappy music, fashion, presidents, and narcissistic attitude. Yup, I loathe the "me decade" with a passion. What does this have to do with the film you ask? Well i'm stretching to meet the 10 minimum line requirement, which is hard to do when dealing with ultra-crappy short films.

My Grade: F

Dracula (Peter Loewy) travels to New York for a change of scenery.

In retrospect, this film is perhaps best known for opening the door to "Vamp". But, really, it is a fine film in its own right, and in some ways far funnier. Both Dracula and Renfield are fun, corny characters. This could have been a cheap-looking film,but actually ends up looking pretty darn good for a small project.

The real mystery, at least to me, is how they got away with the music rights. Presumably, the first time around, they just used music and didn't bother to pay anyone. But what about in future DVD and Blu-ray releases? Other films have been held up for music rights (heck, "Freaks and Geeks" was bogged down hard)... so how did they do it?

I'm baffled as to how this bonnefied masterpiece has gone unnoticed by movie goers and critics alike. It is one of those few films that will genuinley change your life and your outlook on the human condition. From the opening credits you know this is no mere movie, not just pictures on a screen. It's a poigniant tale of an outsider, a loner in a new and strange land. Dracula is missunderstood, that's what this film's all about, if we could just see beyond the teeth and the outragious accent, perhaps we'd see a man as frightened as the rest of us, just searching a big world for a little love. It's a message we'd all do well to take note of, don't just let this movie teach you to look beyond the assumptions you've made about undead counts, let it help you to do the same with all the creatures of the night, be it werewolves, zombies or just really big cats. So go, see Dracula Bites the Big Apple, and let it teach you, let it mesmerise you and let it be free..........please, just let it be free. Dracula bit the big apple, and in doing so, bit his way into our hearts. May you leave the cinema enlightened having experienced the beauty, the magic and the chins, this 'fish out of water' masterpiece has to offer. Go now! BE FREE! DRACULA HAS RELEASED HIS CHILDREN!!!