Love at First Bite

"Love at First Bite" is one of the goofiest movies ever made. That doesn't make it a bad movie though. I have to admit that I did laugh alot while watching this. George Hamilton is bloody good as a comedic Count Dracula who goes to New York City to find his true love, fashion model Susan Saint James. Richard Benjamin plays James' shrink who just happens to be related to the great vampire killer Dr. Van Helsing, and goes out of his way to try to stop her from seeing Count Dracula. These three actors generate laughs, but the funniest scenes are provided by Arte Johnson as Count Dracula's assistant Renfield. His obnoxious laugh throughout the film is hilarious. And wouldn't ya know, it features separate cameo appearances by The Jeffersons! "Love at First Bite" isn't the best comedy ever made, but if you want to watch some good dumb fun, this is it.

*** (out of four)

A great comedic version of the story, with a tanned vampire Hamilton looking for his lost love to give her the bite. Several very funny moments, especially once Dracula and Renfield reach New York. Slightly dated with several 70's era references, but still a very funny movie. Can't get over the tan.

Forced out of his Transylvanian castle by government officials, Count Vladimir Dracula and his bug-eating man-servant, Renfield, pull up stakes and land in New York City, where the bloodsucker begins his search for the fashion model he believes is his soulmate. "Love at First Bite" is a sassy, snorting romp, but it isn't crude; it has too big of a heart to be just another vampire spoof. Bram Stoker's infamous Count has been modernized (via the 1970s) as a die-hard romantic with a ticklish side (he amuses himself), and George Hamilton could not be better in the role. Whether seducing flaky sexpot Susan Saint James with some fancy moves on the dance-floor, matching wits with Richard Benjamin as a nutty psychiatrist (and Van Helsing relative!) or robbing a blood bank with Arte Johnson's Renfield in tow, Hamilton never gets pushy with his Dracula incarnation; he's working in a surprising, charming lower key and doesn't resort to hamming for laughs. The movie isn't especially well-produced--the color is gloppy, the continuity is spotty and the third act business is squashed together--but it has a sense of naughty (though not vulgar) playfulness that audiences responded to. Hamilton's obvious delight with this comic-book approach to Dracula is infectious, as well. His Count may not be street-smart or completely self-assured, but he's a flexible vampire, willing to adapt to the times. He's also loyal to the people he loves, and this gives the romance a groovy kick (when this vampire says "I love you," you knows he means it; he swoons a little himself when he says it). Hamilton revels in the fun, and he looks great in the cape. *** from ****

I'm big on the older vampire films--Bela Lugosi, Frank Langella (although Gary Oldman was darned sexy). "Love at First Bite" was a brilliant spoof of the original Dracula. The update of Dracula in New York has been redone many times but not as well as this. Okay, it's a little dated with the disco vibe and the clothing, but George Hamilton's campy accent and deep Dracula gaze were perfect. The writer and George Hamilton had obviously studied the Bela Lugosi version carefully, and there are many references to famous lines, e.g., "I never drink...wine." Reviewers who knock this movie don't know the source material very well. Richard Benjamin, Artie Johnson, and Susan St. James were a great supporting cast.

As a product of the 70's myself, I love this movie for the nostalgia. It is SO on target. The version they show on HBO still has the "Nightlife" song. The movie is a little hard on the Harlem stereotypes, but that is how NYC was in the 70's.

I love the cheesy special effects but they fit with the spoofiness/goofiness very well.

I also think Richard Benjamin really steals the show with "It's OK...I'm a doctor". Having Dick Shawn along for the ride doesn't hurt either. I smile just thinking about it. Artie Johnson is also an excellent Renfield. I recently saw the Coppola version of Dracula, and would take this movie over that one any time.