In our ongoing research into Untold Horror, we have uncovered a variety of projects which for better or worse went unrealized. Many of them only exist in pitch material artwork if nothing else. This ongoing series, entitled “Unknown Untold”, will shine a light on artwork for movies that never existed beyond what is seen on the page.
If you have any further knowledge of any of the images posted, please let us know – Email mark@untoldhorror.ca with any details you may have about these projects!
Phantom of the Paradise…
The Rocky Horror Picture Show…
Repo: The Genetic Opera…
Cannibal! The Musical…
… and that’s about it.
Unlike other film genres that Horror so easily blends with, the (English-language) Musical isn’t high on that list. And perhaps for good reason. Horror is all about building tension – and it is pretty difficult to do that when you are breaking out into musical set-pieces every so often. Perhaps the only way to achieve it correctly is to embrace the ridiculousness of it, as those who have successfully combined the genres, have indeed done.
Studio decision makers are notorious for not getting behind anything that isn’t necessarily a straight-up horror film. Event the legendary George A. Romero can count a (couple) of unproduced attempted Horror-Musicals, among his Untold Horrors. Diamond Dead perhaps being the best know stillborn production within the strange subgenre.
For this Unknown Untold, we’re looking at a trade ad that ran in the early 80’s, for a never-would-be horror musical.
One of the most adapted characters in the history of cinema is Bram Stoker’s bloodsucker, Dracula. The Count has been presented in literally just about every single possible interpretation up on the silver screen. From animated, to romantic, from comedic, to heroic, and everything in between. However, on screen, for better or worse, we never got to see Dracula Fever rise up from its coffin and spring to life.
Much like the other selection in this Unknown Untold, extremely little is known about this aborted production. However, we are blessed to have the sales art, featuring a rocking-out Count, in front of his band… and what looks like possibly the sun?
Like all of these entries into this series, it’s too bad we will never have more details. One has to wonder if there was ever anything more to the production than the Variety ad. Perhaps somewhere, in a deep dark crypt lays some lyric sheets to the songs that could have spawned a very different 1980’s music scene.
With this film remaining buried, it seems that Dracula’s only big screen musical adventure remains this…
For better or worse, Dracula Fever remains unsung. However, it seems hard to believe that there won’t be another stab at this strange cross-over down the road.