Vamp (1986)

The more I dig the more I find obscure movies from the 1980s.  Finding them from the 1960s and 1970s doesn't surprise me as I was either not alive yet or was too young to care about anything that wasn't Godzilla, Harryhausen or Star Wars.  The 1980s, however, are still pretty clear, and most video stores were pretty lax on what they would rent to a teenager.  As long as it didn't look like porn I was good.

In truth, I think I remember seeing Vamp in the store at some point.  I certainly remember some photo, either promoting the movie or just promoting Grace Jones, with her dressed as Katrina with all the Keith Haring body paint and metal bikini.  It's a striking image.  However, there is a reason many of these movies remain obscure, and a major one is that just like exploitation films from the decades proceeding the actual film doesn't live up to the poster or box cover.

Keith (Chris Makepeace) and AJ (Robert Rusler) are trying to pledge to a fraternity to get out of dorm living.  Instead of going through the rituals they are tasked with finding a stripper for an upcoming party.  Needing transportation they enlist Duncan (Geddy Watanabe), a rich kid who is desperate for friends.  They drive into Los Angeles and find themselves in a rundown neighborhood looking for a bar called After Dark, which they find after a run-in with a gang run by the albino Snow (Billy Drago). 

While AJ scouts for talent one of the waitresses (Dedee Pfeiffer) recognizes Keith, although he doesn't remember her.  Keith starts to become more concerned about his friend when he doesn't return after being taken backstage to meet with an exotic dancer named Katrina.  It turns out that they unfortunately have ended up at a club run and frequented by vampires, and that the neighborhood full of them.  

There are some great visuals.  Grace Jones had to bring her own costumes and props because of the budget so Katrina is infused with her own style.  Also, she chose not to have any dialog, instead playing Katrina in much the same way Max Schreck did Count Orlock in Nosferatu, a Symphony of Terror.  Jones has little screen time but, combining her style with some decent makeup, the character works.  There are also several scenes in the neighborhood and sewer that are lit in vivid reds and greens, similar to a Mario Bava film. 

The main problem is that the budget limitations result in the plot revolving almost all around the strip club.  There are some outside shots and other sets, but the majority of the time is spent at After Dark itself.  Other than a few scenes with Katrina, the obligatory '80s stripper scenes (most of which do not involve nudity) and the club owner Vic (Sandy Baron) going on about wanting to go to Las Vegas, little happens.  When they get out of the club things get creative, albeit jumbled.  I would have liked to have seen more than just a couple shots of Snow's gang running into the vampires. 

The acting is decent, save for Watanabe, who at least isn't doing the stereotypical Asian thing even though the character he plays is over-the-top annoying.  The effects are pretty decent for what this is as well.  I just wish that there was a little more to hold one's interest.

Vamp (1986)

Time: 93 minutes

Starring: Chris Makepeace, Robert Rusler, Geddy Watanabe, Dedee Pfeiffer, Grace Jones

Director: Richard Wenk