This horror/comedy/musical (very light on the horror and comedy) would have benefited from someone like Terry Jones or Eric Idle writing and directing, and producer Ringo Starr did approach Graham Chapman after filming to attempt to develop some new dialogue for ADR, but it was decided it wasn’t worth the time and money at that point.
The movie involves Count Downe (Harry Nilsson), born a vampire via his mother and Count Dracula, making the journey to England for his coronation as the new King of the Underworld, aided by Merlin the magician (Ringo Starr).
I was hoping for a zany romp, but the end product is just bland and uninspiring, with the exception of Nilsson’s musical numbers. Harry was an imposing physical presence at 6’2″, and looked good in his vampire costume, although his soft, kind face removed any sense of real menace. He does try, perhaps too hard, to bring some gravitas to the role. Ringo Starr as Merlin is even flatter, perhaps making sure he doesn’t overshadow Nilsson’s performance, I couldn’t tell.
There was a kernel of a fun movie here, it just needed to be done in a zany, absurdist way instead of the Hammer Films atmosphere much of the movie emanates. One final note on Harry Nilsson, it is a real treat watching him perform in this movie, and it is sad he left us at age 52. I would have enjoyed seeing him act in a different kind of movie. He seemed able to evoke some pathos to Count Downe.
