''Uncle Was a Vampire'' () is a 1959 Italian

comedy horror Comedy horror (also called horror comedy) is a literary, television and film genre that combines elements of comedy and horror fiction. Comedy horror has been described as having three types: "black comedy, parody and spoof." Comedy horror can a ...

film, directed by Steno. A

novelty song A novelty song is a type of song built upon some form of novel concept, such as a gimmick, a piece of humor, or a sample of popular culture. Novelty songs partially overlap with comedy songs, which are more explicitly based on humor, and w ...

Bruno Martino Bruno Martino (11 November 1925 – 12 June 2000) was an Italian composer, singer, and pianist. He is best remembered for his songs '' Dracula Cha Cha Cha'' (1959) and ''Estate'' (1960). Career Martino learned to play the piano at the age of fou ...

, '' Dracula Cha Cha Cha'', written for this film, later became a widely covered hit.

Plot

Baron Osvaldo Lambertenghi is forced to sell his ancestral castle to pay his debts. The manor is ingloriously transformed into a frivolous hotel, and Osvaldo is allowed to continue to live there working as a

bellhop A bellhop (North America), or hotel porter (international), is a hotel employee who helps patrons with their luggage while checking in or out. Bellhops often wear a uniform, like certain other page boys or doormen. This occupation is also know ...

. One day Osvaldo receives a visit from his uncle, Baron Roderico da Frankurten, who turns out to be a real vampire. Osvaldo tries to warn the various guests of the hotel, with the only result being that he is taken for a madman. Bitten by his uncle, Osvaldo will also turn into a vampire, but his beloved, Lellina, will also be able to free him from the curse.

Cast

Production

''Uncle Was a Vampire'' was

Christopher Lee Sir Christopher Frank Carandini Lee (27 May 1922 – 7 June 2015) was an English actor and singer. In a career spanning more than sixty years, Lee became known as an actor with a deep and commanding voice who often portrayed villains in horr ...

's first appearance in an Italian film production.

Release

''Uncle Was a Vampire'' was released in Italy on October 28, 1959 where it was distributed by C.E.I.-Incom. It grossed a total of 385 million lire in Italy. The film was released in the United States in 1964 on television through

Embassy Pictures Embassy Pictures Corporation (also and later known as Avco Embassy Pictures as well as Embassy Films Associates) was an American independent film production and distribution company, which was active from 1942 to 1986. Embassy was responsible ...

Reception

In his book ''Italian Horror Film Directors'', Louis Paul described the film as "obviously modeled on the slapstick efforts of the comedies featuring the character

Totò Antonio Griffo Focas Flavio Angelo Ducas Comneno Porfirogenito Gagliardi De Curtis di Bisanzio (15 February 1898 – 15 April 1967), best known by his stage name Totò (), or simply as Antonio de Curtis, and nicknamed ''il principe della risat ...

Notes

References

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External links

* 1959 films 1959 comedy horror films Italian comedy horror films Italian vampire films Films directed by Stefano Vanzina Films scored by Armando Trovajoli Vampire comedy films 1950s Italian films Films set in castles Films set in hotels Films about nobility {{comedy-horror-film-stub