Grave of the Vampire (1974)

William Smith stars in 1974s Grave of the Vampire, a quirky horror tale that I first became aware after reading a video review in a mid 80s issue of Fangoria magazine. The result of a vampiric sexual assault; Smith portrays a hybrid human/vampire who searches for his neck biting father, the creepy Michael Pataki, in order to provoke a showdown with the creature.

Invasion of the Bee Girls (1973)

Bringing together iconic film tough guy William Smith with The Price is Right "Barker Beauty" Anitra Ford, 1973s Invasion of the Bee Girls (aka Graveyard Tramps) delivers on an over the top tale. An alien force is turning Earth women into black eyed bee creatures who kill the men they have sex with as part of an enterprise to take over the planet. Well alright then.

Heavy with 70s fashion and styles, you also get a visual time capsule of the Earth toned era. The soundtrack is superb, filled with lots of chukka wakka, interesting fuzzy funk. Sure, a lot of the acting is wooden and the film's pace could be a bit faster at times, but the bevy of attractive women plus the preposterous/puzzling plot turns up the 70s cinematic popcorn/cheese charm factor for me, making this a long time film favorite.

Robert Ebert gave the film a positive review back in 1973.
http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/19730620/REVIEWS/306200301

If you have Comcast, this is currently a free On-Demand movie.


the trailer

the feature