Five notes about BLACULA

While keeping tabs on a storm that blew a tree onto their cousin's (my niece's) house, the girls and I watched a 1972 cult classic on DVD last night.
Without further ado, here are FIVE NOTES from watching "BLACULA."
1. As soon as I heard WILLIAM MARSHALL and his booming deep voice, I recognized him as the KING OF CARTOONS from "PEE-WEE'S PLAYHOUSE."
In last night's film, Marshall stars as Mamuwalde, the African prince cursed by DRACULA to become BLACULA.
2. Blacula's love interest, LUVA/TINA, was played by a familiar face.
San Francisco native VONETTA McGEE also played Marlene in "REPO MAN."
3. The film is entertaining, but dated. A pair of gay antiques dealers unwittingly open the coffin that unleashes Blacula on Los Angeles.
The 1972 depiction of gay people made me wince.
4. Halfway through the film, the girls and I decided the filmmakers only had access to about five interior sets.
The "office" was the same set as the "laboratory" which was the same set as the "police station."
5. The music is fabulous!
Motown arranger GENE PAGE is credited with the soundtrack. The songs are performed by THE HUES CORPORATION, the Santa Monica, Calif., group who would gain fame two years later with "Rock the Boat."