A Volta do Conde Yorga

This film, while solid for the most part, reminds me of a scene from "Columbo", where one character says to the detective "an exciting meal has been ruined!". That's the way I felt about this film, and they say a poor ending can hurt a film, and I must agree here. While this may seem like a negative review, there's things that I did like, such as Robert Quarry's performance, and the creepy mansion in which he resides, with a bunch of slick dark rooms, and skinny stairs. Look for some familiar faces in a very young Craig T. Nelson, Mariette Hartley, Michael Pataki, and Rudy De Luca. On the other hand, there's Philip Frame, who plays Tommy, and he may be the worst actor I've ever seen, and I'm not surprised that he only has 1 more acting credit after this film. That kid also deserved that good smack, the little jerk. One of the most disappointing aspects for me is that Tommy doesn't get his just desserts he richly deserved, but that's all I'll spoil for you. There's more good scenes than bad scenes, but the bad ones almost defy vampire logic, and really hurt the film for me.

1971's "The Return of Count Yorga" boasts the same team responsible for "Count Yorga, Vampire," star Robert Quarry reprising his role as the Bulgarian count, again produced by Michael Macready and directed by Bob Kelljan. The ambitious script is a collaboration between Kelljan and then-wife Yvonne Wilder, casting herself as a mute character speaking through sign language, the setting changed from Los Angeles to San Francisco, an even more sprawling estate near the Westwood Orphanage run by Reverend Thomas (Tom Toner). The boy Tommy (Philip Frame) encounters the revived Yorga in a rundown cemetery where his vampire brides emerge from their graves, becoming the catalyst for every targeted attack. The Count is introduced at a masquerade party for the orphanage, where he first puts the bite on a singer before meeting Cynthia Nelson (Mariette Hartley), her fiancee, Dr. David Baldwin (Roger Perry, back as a new character), and sisters Ellen (Karen Houston) and mute Jennifer (Yvonne Wilder). The Nelson family find it difficult to sleep with little Tommy staying over at their home, a sudden attack by Yorga's vampire brood resulting in both parents dead, Cynthia kidnapped, and Ellen joining the undead ranks, poor Jennifer discovering the carnage in the morning. Lt. Madden (Rudy De Luca) and Sgt. O'Connor (Craig T. Nelson) arrive to investigate, only to find the premises spotless and no bodies around, a note for Jennifer left behind claiming that her parents had to leave suddenly to visit relatives. Cynthia is unmoved by Yorga's romantic overtures, a helpless prisoner of the labyrinthine confines of the count's estate, where the corpses of her mother and father are buried in a pool of quicksand. Jennifer's repeated warnings and Tommy's denials lead to several more disappearances, until Baldwin, Madden, and O'Connor decide to search for Cynthia at Yorga's home, the Reverend offering them cover with a plea for financial assistance. The climactic formula is intact, the stakes raised by the presence of two bewildered cops who find themselves trapped with no escape: "what are we running for?" "cause we're scared!" Robert Quarry is slightly less effective in creating sympathy for his lonely existence, much like Barnabas Collins on DARK SHADOWS, but still admirably deceptive and ferocious in his bloodlust. Tommy is truly a creepy little monster, prevented from bashing in a fellow orphan's skull but soon graduating to using a knife to carry out his misdeeds. Rudy De Luca and Craig T. Nelson both make their film debuts as the hapless cops, teamed again after comic experience on one of Tim Conway's variety shows, the former best known for many collaborations with Mel Brooks, the latter for his starring role on COACH. De Luca gets the best line when advised on how to use two sticks as a crucifix: "no playin' hero, and the first one to find the vampire screams his ass off!"

In THE RETURN OF COUNT YORGA, Robert Quarry reprises his suave vampire role. This time, he sets up shop in an abandoned orphanage near San Francisco. His army of female undead are fairly frightening, at one point going "Manson Family" style, during a rather -for its time- shocking massacre scene. This is actually the best part of the movie! Mariette Hartley plays Cynthia, the Count's latest obsession.

An overall gloomy, effective follow-up to the first film, it plays more like a stand-alone movie than a true sequel. For instance, there is no explanation for Yorga's resurrection, or his relocating to Northern California. In spite of this, the movie has enough atmosphere and Quarry's charisma to carry it through. Edward Walsh returns as Yorga's henchman, Brudah, as does Roger Perry as a completely different doctor than his role in film one!...

In many respects, this film is a superior to the original Count Yorga, Vampire. Robert Quarry returns as the charming, sophisticated vampire that lives by an orphanage. His performance is wonderful as he matches witty remarks to dull conversation. At one point, as he attends a costume party, one lady touches his cape and asks where his fangs are. Quarry replies in a very sardonic manner, "Where are your manners?" That is but just one of his great one-liners. The real difference though between this and the first film is the unrelenting horror and tension created by director Bob Kelljan(and the fact that the budget and supporting cast were upgraded a good deal as well). Some of the scenes are truly frightening, especially the onslaught of the house by the horde of female bloodsuckers. The castle-like home used for Yorga's lair is also breath-taking and chilling in its baronial splendour. The acting aside from Quarry is first-rate this time around. Roger Perry is back as a Van Helsing type, but he is suitably aided by Mariette Hartley, Rudy DeLuca, Craig Nelson, and a fine performance by Yvonne Wilder as a deaf mute. Screen veteran George MacCready has a very small role as a professor, but his short screen time is a joy to behold as he adds comic relief to this somewhat black comedic film, verbally confusing Yorga to yoga. An excellent film!

The Santa Ana winds howl, signalling the return of Count Yorga, who had previously been killed, The Count has a penchant for Orphans from the local orphanage, and becomes very drawn to beautiful teacher,

I haven't seen the original film for years, but I remember it fondly, and have always regarded it as one of my favourite classic horrors, this is a very worthy follow up. It's definitely a little bit cheesy at times, but if like me you're a fan of seventies horror, you'll enjoy it.

Robert Quarry is excellent as Yorga once again, his eyes were wonderfully deadpan throughout the film, but there's no denying he had a real elegance and presence.

Great scenes of San Francisco in the early 1970's, I bet that was one awesome place to be.

Some of the makeup is a little questionable as you'd perhaps expect, but surely that can be forgiven, I don't think any expectations of greatness were made when they produced this film, but overall it does the job.

Worth seeing, 7/10.