The Beatles were a sensation when it came to music. They had hit after hit and when they changed styles, the fans followed...and they had more hits. In so many ways, they could do no wrong when it came to music. However, when it came to their creation, 'Apple', well, they could do plenty of wrong! First, they opened a clothing boutique....which folded within about a year. Second, also under the Apple umbrella, they created a record company...which soon folded. Third, they also created Apple Films...which only financed a small number of films which lost a lot of money. In essence, their entities under Apple was all huge money-hemorrhaging projects.
I mention all this about Apple because the film "Son of Dracula" was a project by Apple...and it was so bad it sat on a shelf for a year and a half before ultimately being released...and failing miserably. Why? Well, the film seemed to be a bizarre vanity project more than anything else...one which makes you wonder what they were thinking when they made it. Could it be that a lot of drugs or alcohol was involved? Or, perhaps, just egos? All I know is that as I watched, I was shocked at how unprofessional and bad the film was....something you just need to see to believe.
In the opening scene, Dracula is killed. Soon, Merlin (Ringo Starr) and a friend arrive....and are at least happy that Dracula's pregnant wife survived the attack. Skip ahead a hundred years and the son, Count Downe (Harry Nilsson) is a rock and roll star and vampire! And, Merlin keeps mentioning some nonsense about needing to crown Downe as the King of the Underworld...'when the stars are right'.
So is it any good? Nope. It stinks. The music, while great for Nilsson fans, doesn't fit in the least. What also doesn't fit is seeing Ringo running about in a fake wig and Merlin costume which looks like it came from a cheap Halloween store. Why put Merlin into this mess? And, why have Nilsson sing again and again?! Overall, I think the film is best as a film to show your friends so you can all laugh at it and enjoy its ineptitude...much like if you watch "The Room" or "Plan 9 From Outer Space"!
The film is so bad, it's a contender for the Worst Films of the 1970s list, if you decided to create one.
I mention all this about Apple because the film "Son of Dracula" was a project by Apple...and it was so bad it sat on a shelf for a year and a half before ultimately being released...and failing miserably. Why? Well, the film seemed to be a bizarre vanity project more than anything else...one which makes you wonder what they were thinking when they made it. Could it be that a lot of drugs or alcohol was involved? Or, perhaps, just egos? All I know is that as I watched, I was shocked at how unprofessional and bad the film was....something you just need to see to believe.
In the opening scene, Dracula is killed. Soon, Merlin (Ringo Starr) and a friend arrive....and are at least happy that Dracula's pregnant wife survived the attack. Skip ahead a hundred years and the son, Count Downe (Harry Nilsson) is a rock and roll star and vampire! And, Merlin keeps mentioning some nonsense about needing to crown Downe as the King of the Underworld...'when the stars are right'.
So is it any good? Nope. It stinks. The music, while great for Nilsson fans, doesn't fit in the least. What also doesn't fit is seeing Ringo running about in a fake wig and Merlin costume which looks like it came from a cheap Halloween store. Why put Merlin into this mess? And, why have Nilsson sing again and again?! Overall, I think the film is best as a film to show your friends so you can all laugh at it and enjoy its ineptitude...much like if you watch "The Room" or "Plan 9 From Outer Space"!
The film is so bad, it's a contender for the Worst Films of the 1970s list, if you decided to create one.