''Son of Dracula'' is a 1974 British

musical film Musical film is a film genre in which songs by the characters are interwoven into the narrative, sometimes accompanied by dancing. The songs usually advance the plot or develop the film's characters, but in some cases, they serve merely as breaks ...

directed by

Freddie Francis Frederick William Francis (22 December 1917 – 17 March 2007) was an English cinematographer and film director. He achieved his greatest successes as a cinematographer. He started his career with British films such as Jack Cardiff's ''Sons and L ...

and starring

Harry Nilsson Harry Edward Nilsson III (June 15, 1941 – January 15, 1994), sometimes credited as Nilsson, was an American singer-songwriter who reached the peak of his commercial success in the early 1970s. His work is characterized by pioneering vocal ove ...

and

Ringo Starr Sir Richard Starkey (born 7 July 1940), known professionally as Ringo Starr, is an English musician, singer, songwriter and actor who achieved international fame as the drummer for the Beatles. Starr occasionally sang lead vocals with the ...

. It was produced by Starr and released in 1974 by

Apple Films Apple Corps Limited (informally known as Apple) is a multi-armed multimedia corporation founded in London in January 1968 by the members of the Beatles to replace their earlier company (Beatles Ltd.) and to form a conglomerate. Its name (pro ...

. It is also the title of a soundtrack released in conjunction with the film.

Plot

After the killing of his father (

Count Dracula Count Dracula () is the title character of Bram Stoker's 1897 gothic horror novel '' Dracula''. He is considered to be both the prototypical and the archetypal vampire in subsequent works of fiction. Aspects of the character are believed by som ...

, the King of the Netherworld), by a mysterious assassin, Count Downe (

) is summoned from his travels abroad by family advisor Merlin (

) in order to prepare him to take over the throne. Baron Frankenstein (

Freddie Jones Frederick Charles Jones''Births, Marriages & Deaths Index of England & Wales, 1916-2005.''; at ancestry.com (12 September 1927 – 9 July 2019) was an English actor who had an extensive career in television, theatre and cinema productions for a ...

) is also on hand to help in any way he can. Problem is, Downe wants no part of this responsibility, and instead wishes to become human and mortal − especially after meeting a girl named Amber (

Suzanna Leigh Suzanna Leigh (born Sandra Eileen Anne Smith; 26 July 1945 – 11 December 2017) was a British actress, known for her film and television roles in the 1960s and 1970s. Early life and education Born Sandra Eileen Anne Smith on 26 July 1945, Leig ...

), with whom he falls in love. He approaches old family nemesis Dr.

Van Helsing A van is a type of road vehicle used for transporting goods or people. Depending on the type of van, it can be bigger or smaller than a pickup truck and SUV, and bigger than a common car. There is some varying in the scope of the word across th ...

(

Dennis Price Dennistoun Franklyn John Rose Price (23 June 1915 – 6 October 1973) was an English actor, best remembered for his role as Louis Mazzini in the film ''Kind Hearts and Coronets'' (1949) and for his portrayal of the omnicompetent valet Jeeves ...

), who agrees to enable the Count's transformation, much to the dismay of the residents of the Netherworld. Despite the best efforts of a host of monsters, as well as one traitorous figure who is dealt with by the trusted Merlin, Van Helsing performs the operation and removes Downe's fangs. He then informs the Count that he can now live out his days in the sunlight, with Amber at his side.

Keith Moon Keith John Moon (23 August 19467 September 1978) was an English drummer for the rock band the Who. He was noted for his unique style of playing and his eccentric, often self-destructive behaviour and addiction to drugs and alcohol. Moon grew ...

The Who The Who are an English rock band formed in London in 1964. Their classic lineup consisted of lead singer Roger Daltrey, guitarist and singer Pete Townshend, bass guitarist and singer John Entwistle, and drummer Keith Moon. They are considered ...

and

John Bonham John Henry Bonham (31 May 1948 – 25 September 1980) was an English musician, best known as the drummer for the rock band Led Zeppelin. Esteemed for his speed, power, fast single-footed kick drumming, distinctive sound, and feel for groove,J ...

Led Zeppelin Led Zeppelin were an English rock band formed in London in 1968. The group comprised vocalist Robert Plant, guitarist Jimmy Page, bassist/keyboardist John Paul Jones, and drummer John Bonham. With a heavy, guitar-driven sound, they are ci ...

both appear in the film, alternating as the drummer in Count Downe's band. Other band members include

Klaus Voormann Klaus Otto Wilhelm Voormann (born 29 April 1938) is a German artist, musician, and record producer. Voormann was the bassist for Manfred Mann from 1966 to 1969, and performed as a session musician on a host of recordings, including "You're So V ...

(another old friend of Starr),

Peter Frampton Peter Kenneth Frampton (born 22 April 1950) is an English musician and songwriter who was a member of the rock bands Humble Pie and the Herd. As a solo artist, he has released several albums, including his major breakthrough album, the live ...

, an uncredited

Leon Russell Leon Russell (born Claude Russell Bridges; April 2, 1942 – November 13, 2016) was an American musician and songwriter who was involved with numerous bestselling records during his 60-year career that spanned multiple genres, including rock and ...

, and the regular

Rolling Stones The Rolling Stones are an English Rock music, rock band formed in London in 1962. Active for six decades, they are one of the most popular and enduring bands of the album era, rock era. In the early 1960s, the Rolling Stones pioneered the g ...

horn section of

Bobby Keys Robert Henry Keys (December 18, 1943 – December 2, 2014) was an American saxophonist who performed with other musicians as a member of several horn sections of the 1970s. He appears on albums by the Rolling Stones, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Harry Ni ...

and Jim Price.

Cast

– Count Downe *

– Merlin *

– The Baron *

– Amber *

–

– Count Downe's Band member *

– Count Downe's Band member *Skip Martin – Igor *

David Bailie David Bailie (4 December 1937 – 6 March 2021) was a South African actor, known for his performances on stage, television and film. In the 1960s and 1970s he worked for both the National Theatre and the Royal Shakespeare Company, where he wa ...

– Chauffeur *

Shakira Baksh Shakira, Lady Caine, (née Baksh; born 23 February 1947) is a Guyanese people, Guyanese former actress and Model (person), fashion model. She is married to English actor Michael Caine. Early life Shakira was born on 23 February 1947 in British ...

– Housekeeper *

Jenny Runacre Jenny Runacre (born 18 August 1946) is a South African-born English actress. Her film appearances include '' The Passenger'' (1975), ''The Duellists'' (1977), ''Jubilee'' (1978), ''The Lady Vanishes'' (1979), and '' The Witches'' (1990). Caree ...

– Woman in Black *

Beth Morris Bethan "Beth" Morris (19 July 1943 – 1 March 2018) was a Welsh actress. Born in Gorseinon and a lifetime native of Swansea, she was probably best known for her performance as Julia Drusilla in the 1976 BBC adaptation of ''I, Claudius''. Her ...

– Wendy *Hedger Wallace - Vampire *Dan Meaden –

*Lorna Wilde (Pamela Conway) – Countess Dracula *Tina Simmons - Ghoul - Uncredited *Derek Woodward - Werewolf *Louis Flannery - young Dracula

Production

''Son of Dracula'' was made during a period when Starr, in between occasional single releases and session work, was concentrating on filmmaking and acting. Two films in which he had starred, ''

200 Motels ''200 Motels'' is a 1971 surrealist musical film written and directed by Frank Zappa and Tony Palmer, and featuring music by Zappa. An international co-production of United States and the United Kingdom, the film stars the Mothers of Invention, T ...

'' and ''

Blindman ''Blindman'' (also known in Italian as ''Il Pistolero Cieco'', lit. "The Blind Gunfighter") is a 1971 Spaghetti Western film directed by Ferdinando Baldi and co-written and co-produced by Tony Anthony. The film's protagonist, played by Anthony, ...

'', had been released at the end of 1971, and before starting on this one, he had just finished work on his directorial debut, the T. Rex documentary ''

Born to Boogie ''Born to Boogie'' is a 1972 British concert film about a concert at the Empire Pool starring T. Rex, Marc Bolan, Ringo Starr and Elton John. Directed by Starr himself, the movie was released on The Beatles' Apple Films label. Content '' ...

''. As well as producing ''Son of Dracula'', Starr appears as

Merlin the Magician Merlin ( cy, Myrddin, kw, Marzhin, br, Merzhin) is a mythical figure prominently featured in the legend of King Arthur and best known as a mage, with several other main roles. His usual depiction, based on an amalgamation of historic and l ...

, who follows the birth and rise of young Count Downe, played by Nilsson. Starr and he were longtime friends, and the ex-

Beatle The Beatles were an English rock band, formed in Liverpool in 1960, that comprised John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr. They are regarded as the most influential band of all time and were integral to the development ...

had recently played drums on Nilsson's 1972 album ''

Son of Schmilsson ''Son of Schmilsson'' is the eighth album by American singer Harry Nilsson. Background Nilsson was being pressured to produce a follow-up album similar to his 1971 breakthrough, ''Nilsson Schmilsson'', but instead, he created a more eccentric wo ...

'', which had spoofed

horror movie Horror is a film genre that seeks to elicit fear or disgust in its audience for entertainment purposes. Horror films often explore dark subject matter and may deal with transgressive topics or themes. Broad elements include monsters, apoca ...

motifs. A few months after those sessions, in August 1972, Starr decided to make a

rock and roll Rock and roll (often written as rock & roll, rock 'n' roll, or rock 'n roll) is a Genre (music), genre of popular music that evolved in the United States during the late 1940s and early 1950s. It Origins of rock and roll, originated from Africa ...

Dracula ''Dracula'' is a novel by Bram Stoker, published in 1897. As an epistolary novel, the narrative is related through letters, diary entries, and newspaper articles. It has no single protagonist, but opens with solicitor Jonathan Harker taking ...

movie (originally titled ''Count Downe''), and invited Nilsson to come on board. At first, Nilsson thought the whole idea must have come from his recent album; as it turned out, Starr had not followed its release, and until then-wife

Maureen Maureen is a female given name. In Gaelic, it is Máirín, a pet form of ''Máire'' (the Irish cognate of Mary), which is derived from the Hebrew Miriam. The name has sometimes been regarded as corresponding to the male given name Maurice. Some ...

brought him a copy, he did not even know that ''Son of Schmilsson'' had already used a similar theme.

Release

Filming was completed by November 1972, but ''Son of Dracula'' had to wait a year and a half for release. Soon after completion, Starr called in

Graham Chapman Graham Chapman (8 January 1941 – 4 October 1989) was a British actor, comedian and writer. He was one of the six members of the surreal comedy group Monty Python. He portrayed authority figures such as The Colonel and the lead role in two P ...

, who was writing with

Douglas Adams Douglas Noel Adams (11 March 1952 – 11 May 2001) was an English author and screenwriter, best known for ''The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy''. Originally a 1978 BBC radio comedy, ''The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy'' developed into a " ...

at the time and had been working on a proposed (but eventually unfilmed) television special for Ringo. Along with Chapman's other regular collaborator, Bernard McKenna, they were asked to write a whole new script to be dubbed over the film's lacklustre dialogue, and they recorded an alternative, Pythonesque soundtrack, but the whole idea was then shelved. Later, attempts were made to market the movie, but as Starr later said, ‘No one would take it.’ Showings over the years have been limited to

midnight movies The term midnight movie is rooted in the practice that emerged in the 1950s of local television stations around the United States airing low-budget genre films as late-night programming, often with a host delivering ironic asides. As a cinematic ...

and similar outlets. No official home video release has ever been made.

Soundtrack album

The ''Son of Dracula'' album includes Nilsson songs that were showcased in the film, as well as some instrumental tracks composed by

Paul Buckmaster Paul John Buckmaster (13 June 1946 – 7 November 2017) was a Grammy Award-winning British cellist, arranger, conductor and composer, with a career spanning five decades. He is best known for his orchestral collaborations with David Bowie, Sha ...

and portions of dialogue used as bridging sequences. All the song tracks except one are from the previously released ''

Nilsson Schmilsson ''Nilsson Schmilsson'' is the seventh studio album by American singer Harry Nilsson, released by RCA Records in November 1971. It was Nilsson's most commercially successful work, producing three of his best-known songs. Among these was the numbe ...

'' and ''

'' albums. The only new song, "Daybreak", was recorded in London sometime in September '72, during a break in filming. Joining Nilsson and Starr on the sessions at

Trident Studios Trident Studios was a British recording facility, located at 17 St Anne's Court in London's Soho district between 1968 and 1981. It was constructed in 1967 by Norman Sheffield, drummer of the 1960s group the Hunters, and his brother Barry. ...

were the likes of Voormann, Frampton, Keys and Price, once again, as well as

George Harrison George Harrison (25 February 1943 – 29 November 2001) was an English musician and singer-songwriter who achieved international fame as the lead guitarist of the Beatles. Sometimes called "the quiet Beatle", Harrison embraced Indian c ...

cowbell A cowbell (or cow bell) is a bell worn around the neck of free-roaming livestock so herders can keep track of an animal via the sound of the bell when the animal is grazing out of view in hilly landscapes or vast plains. Although they are t ...

.Castleman & Podrazik, ''All Together Now'', p. 216. Jim Price, along with pianist

Gary Wright Gary Malcolm Wright (born April 26, 1943) is an American musician and composer best known for his 1976 hit songs " Dream Weaver" and " Love Is Alive", and for his role in helping establish the synthesizer as a leading instrument in rock and po ...

and orchestral arrangers

and

Del Newman Derrick Martin "Del" Newman (5 October 1930 – 10 August 2020) was a British conductor, orchestral arranger and music producer. His orchestral arrangements appeared on songs by many rock and pop artists from the 1960s to the 1990s, including Ca ...

, also provided new, incidental music, some of which appeared in the film only. The U.S. LP release of the

soundtrack A soundtrack is recorded music accompanying and synchronised to the images of a motion picture, drama, book, television program, radio program, or video game; a commercially released soundtrack album of music as featured in the soundtrack o ...

included a T-shirt iron-on advertising the film, and a companion songbook included a reproduction of the film poster. The single version of "Daybreak" edited out the words "''it's pissing me off''" (referring to daylight), repeating the lyric "''it's making me cough''" instead, and the fadeout is longer than on any LP or CD release of the song. The single peaked at number 21 on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100 but did not chart at all in the U.K. The album itself fared even worse, non-charting in Britain and climbing no higher than number 106 in America. "Daybreak" was later

cover Cover or covers may refer to: Packaging * Another name for a lid * Cover (philately), generic term for envelope or package * Album cover, the front of the packaging * Book cover or magazine cover ** Book design ** Back cover copy, part of co ...

ed by Nilsson friend and former

Monkee The Monkees were an American Rock music, rock and pop music, pop band, formed in Los Angeles in 1966, whose lineup consisted of the American actor/musicians Micky Dolenz, Michael Nesmith and Peter Tork alongside English actor/singer Davy Jones ...

Micky Dolenz George Michael Dolenz Jr. (born March 8, 1945) is an American actor, musician, TV producer and businessman. He is best known as the drummer and one of three primary vocalists for the pop-rock band the Monkees (1966–1970, and multiple reunions ...

. A version with completely new lyrics in German was sung as "Hamburg im Regen" by

Mary Roos Mary Roos (born Rosemarie Schwab on 9 January 1949) is a German singer and actress. Biography 1949-1970 Schwab was born in Bingen. At the age of nine, she recorded her first song "Ja die Dicken sind ja so gemütlich" as ''Die kleine Rosemarie ...

Album track listing

#"It Is He Who Will Be King" (

) – 3:07 #"Daybreak" (Nilsson) – 2:43 #"

At My Front Door "At My Front Door" is a song written by Ewart Abner and Johnny Moore (singer), John Moore and performed by The El Dorados. It reached #1 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, U.S. R&B chart and #17 on the Billboard Hot 100, U.S. pop chart in 1955. The so ...

" (

Ewart Abner Ewart Gladstone Abner, Jr. (May 11, 1923 – December 27, 1997) was a major American record company executive who was President of Motown Records from 1973 to 1975 and was personal and business manager for Stevie Wonder for 10 years. In his ex ...

, John Moore) – 2:40 #"Count Downe Meets Merlin and Amber" (Buckmaster) – 2:10 #"The Moonbeam Song" (Nilsson) – 3:20 #"Perhaps This Is All a Dream" (Buckmaster) – :47 #"Remember (Christmas)" (Nilsson) – 4:09 #"Intro; Without You" (

Pete Ham Peter William Ham (27 April 1947 – 24 April 1975) was a Welsh singer, songwriter and guitarist best known as a lead vocalist of and composer for the 1970s rock band Badfinger, whose hit songs include " No Matter What", " Day After Day" and "B ...

, Tom Evans) – 3:47 #"The Count's Vulnerability" (Buckmaster) – 2:10 #"Down" (Nilsson) – 3:07 #"Frankenstein, Merlin and the Operation" (Taverner) – 3:20 #"Jump Into the Fire" (Nilsson) – 3:16 #"The Abdication of Count Downe" (Buckmaster) – 1:10 #"The End (Moonbeam)" (Nilsson) – 0:49

Personnel

* Harry Nilsson : Vocals, piano, electric piano, mellotron * Jim Price : Organ, horns arrangements, trumpet, trombone * Gene Cipriano : Horns * Bobby Keys : Saxophone, tenor sax * Paul Buckmaster : Strings and horns arrangements and conducting * The Pop Arts String Quartet : Strings * Peter Frampton : Guitar, electric guitar * Chris Spedding : Guitar, electric guitar, bouzouki * John Uribe : Acoustic Guitar, Lead guitar * Klaus Voormann : Acoustic guitar, bass guitar * Herbie Flowers : Bass guitar * Jim Webb : Acoustic piano * Gary Wright : Piano * Nicky Hopkins : Piano * Ringo Starr : Drums * Jim Keltner : Drums * Jim Gordon : Drums, percussions * Ray Cooper : Percussions, congas * George Harrison : Cowbell

References

External links

''Son of Dracula'' at HarryNilsson.com
*
List of musicians
{{Harry Nilsson 1974 films 1970s comedy horror films 1970s musical films Apple Films films British comedy horror films British musical films Films directed by Freddie Francis Films set in London Films shot in London British rock music films British vampire films 1974 soundtrack albums Albums recorded at Trident Studios Apple Records soundtracks Harry Nilsson albums RCA Records soundtracks Musical film soundtracks 1974 comedy films 1970s English-language films 1970s British films