Transylvania Twist

This movie is so incredibly stupid, but it's still one of the most enjoyable films I have ever seen. It is one of those ridiculous movies where everything that happens is totally silly and whacked out.

The plot revolves around a guy named Dexter Ward,who works for a library and must search out the Book of Ulthar which is 200 years overdue. That concept alone pretty much tells what the rest of the movie is like. The characters are all a little odd to say the least, like Victor van Helsing, the fearless vampire hunter, played by the B-Grade actor extraordinare Ace Mask. One of the more amusing scenes features a flashback to van Helsing's youth, in which the child portraying him has a moustache and gets in trouble at school for staking one of his classmates (who just happens to be a vampire dressed in a little Dracula-type costume). I also liked the part where van Helsing is talking about a book that caused two brothers to never speak to one another again. When asked what that book was, he replied that it was either the Book of Ulthar or the latest Jackie Collins novel. Robert Vaughn is enjoyable also with his over-the-top acting that made him such a favorite with Roger Corman fans.

This movie is so much fun on so many levels. The comedy is so crazy that half the time you're laughing at the hilarious acting and dialogue and the other half of the time you're laughing at the sheer stupidity of what is supposed to be funny.

I definitely recommend this movie to fans of Roger Corman flicks and fans of the Zucker and Abrahams movies.

THIS MOVIE IS A CLASSIC!

I love this movie. I think it belongs up there with other horror parodies like "Repossessed," "Silence of the Hams" and "Dracula-Dead and Loving It." Teri Copley was a funny, beautiful and talented actress; much more than just a pretty face. It's probably the only horror parody which makes the most horror references that I've seen even if it did leave out the Wolfman, Frankenstein's monster and the Mummy. It's also filled with cameos galore such as horror mogul Forrest J. Ackerman, scream queen Brinke Stevens as a sexy vampire, Deanna Lund from "Land of the Giants" as a teacher, Jay Robinson most recently of "Sleepy Hollow" and Angus Scrimm of "Phantasm." Video babe Becky LeBeau sings the songs which Teri lip-syncs to also has a bit part. Howard Morris from the "Andy Griffith Show" is a tamed down Ernest T. Bass as he plays the father of Teri's character. Ace Mask steals most of the laughs in this but Steve Altman is more than irritating as he tries to be funny; everytime I watch this, I do his lines so that I feel I've got the role. Robert Vaughn is also woefully miscast as he tries his hand at comedy. Steve Franken is also on hand as an inept constable who wouldn't know a vampire if it was already on his neck. Otherwise, the movie is one long enjoyable laughfest. It's a shame you can't find this on video anymore.

I remembered a long time ago that I did enjoy Transylvanis Twist, and after re-watching it I still do. True, the characters are rather clichéd and while not awful to look at the low budget does show at times. However, the soundtrack is cool, the film is smartly written with amusing nods to recognisable horror figures/films and some very funny jokes. The stock footage may be too much occasionally, but still well-used and interesting and the story is always fun and rarely dull. The acting I thought was good also, Angus Schrimm and especially Ace Mask are hoots in their roles and Terri Copley is very sexy without being too vapid. Steve Altman does a good job making sure his character isn't too tiresome and Robert Vaughn while he's been better is still good value. All in all, a very entertaining movie. 8/10 Bethany Cox

Very silly, you laugh at how bad the jokes are, the jokes can fall flat, which actually makes Transylvania Twist "so bad it's good". There's eye candy for the guys, and plenty of cringe for the gals.

I feel this movie is standing on the shoulders of The Rocky Horror Show. There is obviously a lot of work put into this movie, particularly the sets, which is impressive for a b-movie.

The acting is hammy, but that's fine, it's not to be taken seriously. But it's a good movie if you are not expecting Ben Hur... I found this on YouTube, I feel it's a little treat:)

I am sure there are other paralels where this movie has borrowed style and or context, but everything creative is derivative so sit back and enjoy...

This film is a huge valentine (in a nice, blood-red heart) for fans of 80's horror movies. The pre-credits sequence alone is great if you've seen (and enjoyed) Friday the 13th, A Nightmare on Elm Street, and The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. The rest of the movie is wonderful too, the perfect film for those of us who have, alas, seen way too many horror movies and still think the world ought to work that way. Teri Copley and Monique Gabrielle are gorgeous, sexy and funny, and Angus Scrimm, "Ace Mask" (uh, okay, Mr. Mask) and Robert Vaughn acquit themselves well with the material. Male lead Steve Altman doesn't make himself too tiresome, which is better than I expected, and there's a nice out-take from the late great Boris Karloff. The plot? It's all over the place, yet familiar at the same time, and makes all the right moves. See it if you love horror movies, and if you don't love horror movies...well, what are you doing here anyway?