The Vampire Doll

The Vampire Doll (Yurei Yashiki No Kyofu: Chi Wo Su Ningyo) (1970)

Runtime: 71 minutes

Directed by: Michio Yamamoto

Starring: Kayo Matsuo, Akira Nakao, Atsuo Nakamura, Yukiko Kobayashi, Yoko Minakaze

From: Toho

As of late I've rewatched various things, both good and bad. I don't plan on being back with a new review until at least Thursday night. For now, a vampire movie from Japan: 

For at least the past few years now I've known of the three vampire movies that Toho made in the 70's... this, the greatly named Lake of Dracula and Evil of Dracula. Nevermind how, but I found this first movie, known by plenty of names: Bloodsucking Doll, The Ghost Mansion's Horror: A Bloodsucking Doll, The Night of the Vampire, The Legacy of Dracula, and best of all, Fear of the Ghost House: Bloodsucking Doll. Note that this movie does not have Dracula nor any bloodsucking dolls. Admittedly, there is a creepy house...

This tale is more Western-influenced than anything from the native Japanese culture. It means there's a strong Gothic feel and Hammer was an obvious inspiration. The plot: a dude (Kazuhiko) has been away from his girlfriend for awhile, so he drives to her mom's house, which of course is a spooky thing in the middle of nowhere that looks like it's in Europe rather than Japan... they do try to explain that way. Anyhow, the girlfriend is dead and Kaz is upset. Soon he goes missing and both his sister and the sister's boyfriend are on the hunt for him.

The movie is only 71 minutes long so it never wears out its welcome, or make it obvious that the cast is pretty small. What the movie is all about is a little daffy but at least the story is unique and a different version of a vampire tale. The mood & atmosphere help-there's usually a strong feeling of dread-along with the nice rural setting. Those that enjoy Hammer movies should find something to like here, whether it's the spooky noise you hear often, moments in the graveyard, how the big bad looks, etc. I say it's good overall.