Amore al primo morso

"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.

Hamilton is genuinely funny in this movie. That is much more than I can say for the next one he did, Zorro, the Gay Blade. It was atrocious. But in this one, he was honestly good, as was Susan St. James. Her success on television in my opinion stemmed from her performance in this movie. MacMillian and Wife was a wonderful series, but she shined brightest in this movie.

The VHS release, however, has one major change I neither understand, nor can stomach. That wonderful climax where the two of them are dancing to the song, "I Love the Nightlife" and he is attempting to use his Vampyric powers on Suntime (St. James), has been negatively altered!

It now no longer contains that memorable song and the soundtrack has been changed to another song for that scene. I was highly disappointed with this change! It degraded the quality of the experience to the point of making it worthless!

If you can find this movie in its original format (before the change, that is) this movie rates an 8.2/10.

After the change, it's not worth a 1.0/10 from...

the Fiend :.

Spook but highly enjoyable black comedy, indeed a little alike Roman Polanski's The Fearless Vampire Killers, at least Arte Johnson as Renfield, in New York disco era this is my guilty pleasure movie neither, good humor, forbidden romance and the Master the Vampire and the right hand Renfield has a amazing chemistry of priceless funny scenes, Susan Saint James is great shape of glorious days, by the way has a Van Helsing's jewish descendent, yes sir Jewish!!!

Resume:

First watch: 1985 / How many: 4 / Source: TV-VHS-DVD / Rating: 7

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.