A Polish Vampire in Burbank

It is appalling that such a cheap movie got a rating of 6.0. The budget for the movie couldn't have been more than $150 (and the producers more than likely took the cast out for dinner with the surplus). The sad thing is, if I saw it in the movie store, I'd probably rent it again, just to have a good time. Look for this one to be some sort of demented underground cult classic in the near future.

I knew of this film years ago. When I was about 12 a few friends and I got together and ran this. I thought it was a charming little movie. Then I did some research and found out that it was made in someone's back yard with a home movie camera, and I was even more fascinated by it. Today I look around and see all these people making their own movies with video cameras and putting them up on websites like youtube and I have to look back at A Polish Vampire in Burbank and realize that this was one of the first 'do it yourself' movies. I just found it again recently and although the movie looks a bit dated today, it certainly takes me back to a time when individual movie making wasn't that common.

I was astounded to read somewhere that Mark Pirro did his film using super-8 mm film equipment! Wow! A true champion of the ultra-low-budget filmmaker! Of course, it also means the film is pretty grainy but if you're going straight to video, so what!

Some friends & I found "Polish Vampire" on the video shelves one night over ten years ago, and it's tribute to simplistic humor and silly sound effects inspired us to create a series of films ourselves - which, should any of us ever decide to run for congress, you'll no doubt see. I found a copy of "Polish Vampire" on E-Bay, got some of the old gang together and we laughed at the same jokes and silly sounds of Dupah's stomach growling. We abstained this time from making more films, but all decided that "Polish Vampire" is, like, comedy for the ageless, for sure.

Greetings And Salutations, and welcome to my review of A Polish Vampire In Burbank; here's the breakdown of my ratings:

Story: 1.25 Direction: 1.00 Pace: 1.00 Acting: 1.25 Enjoyment: 1.50

TOTAL: 5.75 out of 10.00

Since I'd never heard of or about A Polish Vampire In Burbank, I was rightly suspect about its quality. Even though the story is quite rudimentary, the direction is rather amateurish, and the cast is below par, the movie is surprisingly entertaining.

The story is written, directed and stars Mark Pirro - God, I can imagine the arguments he must have had with himself when the director asked for a script re-write or the actor disagreed with his lines or his director's direction. It'd be enough to drive a bloke insane.

Writer Piro gives the audience a coming-of-age tale about Dupah, a reluctant vampyre. He doesn't possess the attitude required to drain the blood from a resistant victim. He would much prefer to rob a blood bank. Luckily his father assigns his sister to aid him in his quest for a true Bloody Mary or Bob. Sadly, Yvonne has little luck in releasing his true nature. But on one of their nights out, Dupah meets Delores Lane as she comes out of a Vampire movie because she loves Vampire movies. Rather than heading for her jugular, he takes her out for a late meal and ends up lovestruck. Will he ever bite the neck that feeds him? Or will he turn out like cousin Sphincter? To find out, you'll have to watch the film. As for the comedy elements, they tickled my funny bone. I particularly liked the opening sequence with the prostitute on the street corner under the lamp. She asks the John, "Wanna party?" He nods his head with stupified eagerness. "You got the bread?" She inquires, to which he holds up a loaf and replies, "And the mayonnaise too." I do so like an abstract joke now and again, and this one made me chuckle. Though, the best comedic element is Eddie Deezer, who plays Sphincter. This guy could read a shopping list and make it funny. His delivery and timing are superb. That doesn't signify that the writing is below par - it isn't. Pirro bestows his characters with strong identities. The scene where Daddy Vamp waxes lyrical and proudly about how his son should be spending his nights is humourous, witty satire because it's contrary to our "normal" way of thinking. There are some entertaining and amusing skits and dialogue throughout the narrative.

Director Pirro is not as skilled with the camera as Writer Pirro was pushing the pen. There's so much involuntary camera shake I thought the camera person (look at me, I'm PC) had Parkinson's' and hadn't heard of a gimble. And some of the close-ups get too close. I don't need to count how many nose hairs the star has up his snotter. In fact, all that was required was polish - buffing-up and not the nation. There are plenty of scenes where you can see that Pirro is attempting to engage the viewer with entertaining cinematography. The prostitute and bread skit displays this best as he uses mutliple camera angles and points to add pizazz to the scene and the punchline. Sadly, through all his endeavours, the movie feels amateurish. This impression isn't terrible because it adds an air of heartwarming asperation. If Pirro could accomplish all of this, there's hope for all the determined filmmakers. For me, the pace was a tad too leisurely. He could have enhanced a few segments by utilising a faster or slower tempo, especially to eke out a few more laughs from the audience.

Actor Pirro is impressive, as is the cast, especially when you realise that not all of them are professional. In a simple movie such as this, you expect some performers to overshadow others. Thankfully it's not the case here. Though Eddie Deezen gives a more adroit performance, he doesn't take anything away from his co-stars - Everybody does well in their portrayals, even if they are slightly wooden or over-the-top. Luckily it adds to the comedy.

All things considered, I found A Polish Vampire In Burbank to be a delightful way to pass an hour and a half. It made me smile, and it made me laugh. Yes, the acting and direction could have been better, but strangely, the amateur feel works for the film. It added a charm all of its own. I would happily encourage the Horror and Comedy fans to check it out, should you be able to find it on a streaming service. I wouldn't advise purchasing a copy as it's not the kind of movie you'd watch that often.

Now remove your fangs from that pretty young woman's neck and cast your eyes over my Absolute Horror and Just For Laughs lists to see where I ranked A Polish Vampire In Burbank.

Take Care & Stay Well.