Lemora

Infobox_movie
name = Lemora: A Child's Tale of the Supernatural


caption = DVD cover from Synapse Films
imdb_id = 0070300
writer = Richard Blackburn
starring = Cheryl "Rainbeaux" Smith
Hy Pyke
Lisley Gilb
Richard Blackburn
director = Richard Blackburn
producer = Robert Fern
cinematography = Robert Caramico | distributor = Media Cinema Group
released = May 1975
runtime = 80 minutes (original release)
113 minutes (uncut version)
language = English
music = Dan Neufeld
amg_id = 1:28921
budget =

"Lemora: A Child's Tale of the Supernatural" (also called "Lemora: The Lady Dracula" and "The Legendary Curse of Lemora") is a 1975 American horror film, written and directed by Richard Blackburn. Blackburn later gained fame as the co-writer of the Paul Bartel film "Eating Raoul".

Cast

*Lila Lee — Cheryl Smith
*Lemora — Lesley Gilb
*Solange — Maxine Ballantyne
*Alvin Lee — William Whitton
*The Bus Driver — Hy Pyke
*The Reverend — Richard Blackburn

Plot

During the Prohibition era 13-year old Lila Lee (Cheryl Smith), seeking to visit her injured father, a gangster, before he dies. She runs away from the Reverend, who has raised her and in whose church she has become well-known as a singer. She ends up taking a bus to the strange town of Astaroth, where people have the "Astaroth Look."

En route Lila is menaced in a swamp by a band of mindless vampires who haunt the woods and town. She is rescued by Lemora (Lesley Gilb), the vampires' unofficial queen, who takes a fancy to the girl. It seems she is the one who called the girl to her, though whether to protect her or to corrupt her remains to be seen. Lila is taken to a very old house, where Lemora gives her a bath and tries to soothe her. Exploring, Lila discovers the truth — Lemora is a vampire, one who feeds upon children and who is holding her father captive.Trying to escape, Lila embarks are a night-time journey through the town of Astaroth, learning in the process that there are two types of vampires here. One are like Lemora herself, relatively human in behavior in appearance. The other are mutated, perhaps de-volved, far more animalistic in behavior and monstrous in form. And the two groups are at war.

Meanwhile, the Reverend is seeking to find Lila, and manages to retrace her steps.

After a climactic battle, leaving most of the vampires in the town dead, Lila is hiding when Lemora finds her. When the Reverend shows up not long after, he finds Lila willing, even eager to kiss him. He resists at first. Then, he gives in. That is when she drives her fangs into his throat.

The film ends showing Lila singing again in church. Whether this was intended to indicate the story was a dream, that it was a "flash forward" or if that Lila returned as a vampire to the Church — or perhaps some other explanation — is not clear.

Notes

Blackburn and producer Fern were students at UCLA when they developed the idea for this film. It was produced on a shoe-string, with much of the financing coming from Blackburn's parents. Most of the film was shot in 1973; star Smith was only 17 at the time.

The movie had limited distribution during its original release. Due to its pedophilic and lesbian overtones, it was banned by the Catholic League of Decency [ [http://www.queerhorror.com/Qvamp/items/88.html 'Lemora: A Child's Tale of the Supernatural' by Richard Blackburn (1973) ] ] . It quickly fell into obscurity except in France, where it became something of a cult film. It was first released on video in the United States (with a mini-documentary on the film) as late as the mid-90's. Today, Lemora still remains a relatively obscure film, but it has developed a strong following in the horror fandom over the years. A DVD was released in 2004, featuring additional footage and commentary by the director and producer.

It is a dreamlike, atmospheric film very much unlike other American horror films of the time, being very erotic in mood. The aura of dreamy surrealism and is richly colorful make it reminiscent of the works of French director Jean Rollin (whom Blackburn was apparently unfamiliar with) and with the Czech film "Valerie and Her Week of Wonders", with which it shares some common themes. It shows the strong influence of the writings of H. P. Lovecraft and possibly, to a lesser extent, "Carmilla" by Sheridan le Fanu. On his DVD commentary track to Lemora, Blackburn also cites Arthur Machen's story "The White People" a tale of childhood innocence, which has horrific overtones and Mervyn Peake as influences. Given its setting in the American South of the 30's, Lemora can also be described as a Southern Gothic fable. It has also generated some degree of interest among gothic rock subculture and vampire fetishists. Lemora has also inspired at least two rock bands, the British gothic rock combo The Ghost of Lemora and the American black metal band Lemora.

Hy Pyke delivers his most unhinged performance, hamming it up all the way as a manic, bug-eyed bus driver who gives Lila Lee a ride to the town.

References

External links

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* [http://www.dvddrive-in.com/reviews/i-m/lemora73.htm Extensive review of the film]
* [http://www.horrortalk.com/reviews/Lemora/Lemora.htm Online review with screencaps]