The Return of Count Yorga

After starting off 2015 with a slew of fun vampire releases, it's still bloodsucking season according to the folks at Shout Factory, who offer up another silly tale of a tortured Count. "The Return of Count Yorga" cannot be taken seriously in the slightest, and according to the late Roger Ebert, audience members squealed with laughter upon its original 1971 release.

So how does Count Yorga return? The vampire was last seen in "Count Yorga, Vampire" (1970) and (never having seen the movie myself) it seems he was left for dead. But damn those notoriously supernatural Santa Ana winds... they've brought Yorga and his female vampire cohorts back from the dead to wreak more havoc on a nearby orphanage.

In between all of the bloody happenings, Yorga (Robert Quarry) falls in love with Cynthia (Mariette Hartley), who becomes his unsuspecting prisoner. Will she save him from eternal damnation? Featuring wince-inducing dialogue and Craig T. Nelson in his first movie role, "The Return of Count Yorga" will tickle your funny bone.

It sounds like I'm bashing Scream Factory's latest Blu-ray offering, but I laughed all the way through the sometimes laborious 97-minute running time. So did film historian Steve Haberman and actor Rudy De Luca, who do an entertaining audio commentary on the disc. On hand also in the bonus features department are TV and radio spots, along with the film's theatrical trailer.

And just look at Scream Factory's blub on the back of the Blu-ray: "Yorga-nna love this one." Best retro horror film marketing slogan ever.

"The Return of Count Yorga"
Blu-ray
$26.99
www.shoutfactory.com