Uncle Was a Vampire (Italian: Tempi duri per i vampiri, lit. 'Hard Times for Vampires'[3]) is a 1959 Italian comedy horror film, directed by Steno.[2]
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.
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
- Renato Rascel as Baron Osvaldo Lambertenghi
- Christopher Lee as Baron Roderico da Frankurten
- Sylva Koscina as Carla
- Kai Fischer as Lellina
- Lia Zoppelli as Letizia
- Franco Scandurra as Professor Stricker
- Carl Wery as Director
- Antje Geerk
- Rik Van Nutter as Carla's fiancé
- Susanne Loret as Susan
- Mario Cecchi Gori as Civil law notary
- Franco Giacobini
Production
Uncle Was a Vampire was Christopher Lee's first appearance in an Italian film production.[4]
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.[1]
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".[5]
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