The Big Scare

Tender Dracula (1974)

* 1/2 (out of 4)

Weird French mix of horror and comedy has two screenwriters and their girlfriends going to the home of a retiring horror actor (Peter Cushing) who played Dracula countless times in his career. It doesn't take long for the guests to wonder if he was playing Dracula or if he's the real thing. Well, I'm really not sure what to say about this film other than it's quite rare and that's a good thing. While the film isn't nearly as horrible as it's reputation, the entire thing is quite bizarre to say the least and in the end it comes off like an Abbott and Costello film with a lot of nudity and sex jokes. I do wonder if the filmmakers had Abbott and Costello in mind because I couldn't help but think of some of their monster mash movies and of course it's quite fitting that they've got Peter Cushing here playing the "Dracula" character. The film pretty much has the two writers and their two hot girlfriends running around and encounters countless bizarre things. This includes Cushing but we've also got blood in the bathtub and various other strange things throughout the castle. One running joke involves the horror star wanting to do romantic movies but it's not all that funny. In fact, most of the comedy here just doesn't work because the direction is simply all over the place and if you check out Pierre Grunstein's credits you'll notice this was the first and last time he worked the director's chair. To say the film is uneven would be an insult to the word uneven. You really can't tell what exactly they were going for because the pacing is off but there's also issues with the screenplay. The script simply goes on and on at times and you just sit there wondering what the whole point is. Even worse is that the horror elements really don't work either but I must say that you do get a good performance from Cushing who is at least energized and appears to be having fun. The supporting players really aren't all that memorable, although there is plenty of nudity with the two female leads. TENDER Dracula has pretty much been forgotten and there's really no reason for anyone to re-discover it.

Tender Dracula is a combination horror film and French bedroom farce. It is one of Peter Cushing's least known films and for good reason. He plays a hammy actor who may or may not be a real vampire. Though Cushing is listed as the star, the film centers a lot more on the antics of two writers who visit Cushing's castle by the sea and the two girls they bring with them. There is a lot of nudity, some blood, some dream sequences and very little sense. It's like the makers want the viewer to puzzle over whether what is happening is real or not. By the end, the film becomes almost dream-like and makes no sense whatsoever. It's anybody's guess as to why Cushing signed on for this film. It is way beneath him. It's even beneath John Carradine!

1974's "Tender Dracula" was shot in France under the title "La Grande Trouille" (The Big Scare), purportedly a comedy, which may be the main reason why Peter Cushing chose to star, as 'High Priest of Horror' MacGregor, not a real vampire but an actor known for playing one, ala Christopher Lee. At the 16 minute mark, our introduction to him is a pleasant surprise, suitably attired in cape and fangs, but the relentless, unfocused insanity makes for a very unpleasant viewing experience. Alida Valli is the only other veteran in the cast, while the rest are cardboard ciphers of no interest whatsoever. As a sex farce, there are neither laughs nor thrills, as the two actresses are poorly made up, resembling a pair of bored drag queens. As for Peter Cushing, the role could have been much like Boris Karloff's Byron Orlok in "Targets," an icon who wants to abandon the genre that made him famous, but this lone directorial effort from prolific producer Pierre Grunstein offers no substance to support its star (there are photos from titles like "Tales from the Crypt" and "From Beyond the Grave," setting up a short sequence with Cushing playing his own gravedigger grandfather). It's a rare instance where Cushing can be said to be hammy, forgivable under the arduous circumstances, but his yearnings to free himself from 'horror' to 'romance' come off as very real, the lone 'truth' amid so much that's false ("she's not afraid of growing old, she's in love. Love is ageless, and because she is in love, she is pure. All things from above are peaceful, gentle, and pure"). Christopher Lee would have his chance in 1976's "Dracula and Son," in which he did indeed play a real vampire, just not Dracula.

"Tendre Dracula," a 1974 film directed by Pierre Grunstein, is an eccentric attempt to blend horror and comedy, resulting in a curious yet ultimately flawed cinematic experience. The movie stars Peter Cushing as a retired horror film actor who lives in a secluded castle, embodying a peculiar charm that is both endearing and perplexing. Despite the intriguing premise, the execution falls short of its potential, leaving viewers with a mixed bag of amusement and frustration.

Cushing's portrayal of MacGregor, the actor who decides to live as the vampire character he once portrayed, is undoubtedly the film's highlight. His performance is both campy and sincere, providing a semblance of gravitas to an otherwise disjointed narrative. The supporting cast, including Alida Valli and Miou-Miou, deliver performances that range from entertaining to bewildering, adding to the film's uneven tone.

The plot of "Tendre Dracula" meanders through a series of absurd and often nonsensical scenarios. MacGregor invites two scriptwriters to his castle, ostensibly to help him write a new horror film. However, the writers soon find themselves caught in a bizarre game where the lines between fiction and reality blur. The film attempts to explore themes of identity and the nature of fear, but these are undermined by a lack of coherent storytelling and inconsistent pacing.

Visually, the film is a pastiche of Gothic horror and 1970s kitsch. The castle setting is appropriately atmospheric, with its dark corridors and candle-lit rooms providing a fitting backdrop for the film's eerie yet comedic tone. However, the cinematography lacks finesse, often feeling amateurish and failing to fully capitalize on the setting's potential. The special effects are rudimentary, which, while expected for the era, often detract from the film's intended horror elements.

The script is riddled with awkward dialogue and forced humor, leading to a series of moments that are more confusing than comedic. There are instances of clever satire and dark comedy, but these are sporadic and insufficient to sustain the film's intended mood. The humor often feels out of place, disrupting the balance between horror and comedy and resulting in a disjointed viewing experience.

Musically, "Tendre Dracula" features a score that is as erratic as its narrative. The soundtrack oscillates between eerie, suspenseful compositions and quirky, upbeat tunes that clash with the film's darker elements. This further contributes to the film's identity crisis, as it struggles to maintain a consistent tone.

Despite its numerous flaws, "Tendre Dracula" is not without its charms. There is a certain appeal in its audacious attempt to blend genres and its unabashedly quirky style. The film has moments of genuine creativity and offers a unique, albeit flawed, cinematic experience. However, these moments are overshadowed by poor execution and a lack of cohesive vision.

In conclusion, "Tendre Dracula" is a curious artifact of 1970s cinema that, while occasionally entertaining, ultimately fails to deliver on its promising premise. Its blend of horror and comedy is hampered by inconsistent storytelling, uneven performances, and a lack of technical polish. For those intrigued by the eccentricities of vintage horror-comedies, it may hold some appeal, but for most viewers, it is likely to be a disappointing watch.

In this set called CUSHING CURIOSTIES there are 5 feature films and the 6 remaining episodes of the BBC's SHERLOCK HOLMES series from 1968. The movies were made between 1959 and 1974 and reflect not only the growth of Cushing's career but the many changes in society and the movie industry that brought about the end of the Gothic horror films in which he specialized. Three of the films are in black and white. SUSPECT (1960) and THE MAN WHO FINALLY DIED (1962) have pre-James Bond espionage themes. CONE OF SILENCE, based on a book, deals with faulty aircraft design and is based on fact.

In SUSPECT, Cushing plays a scientist who wishes to publish his findings on deadly bacteria while the British Government wants them withheld from public knowledge. The film co-stars Donald Pleasance and Ian Bannen. In THE MAN WHO FINALLY DIED, Cushing is an ex-Nazi who is trying to commit insurance fraud...or is he? Headlining the movie is Stanley Baker, just 2 years away from international stardom in ZULU. Baker plays a man who is shocked to discover that his German father (not Cushing), whom he thought was long dead, is still alive. Both movies are tense and terse.

The earliest movie in the set, CONE OF SILENCE, dates from 1959. It tells the story of a new line of airplanes that sometimes crash while attempting to land. Peter is an ambitious pilot who, in order to advance his career, blames the crashes on an older cohort rather than the structural flaw he knows to be the real cause. The film has a strong cast that includes George Sanders and Bernard Lee. Future Hammer regulars Andre Morell and Marne Maitland have significant supporting roles. As stated earlier, the screenplay is based on fact.

The other two films, BLOODSUCKERS and TENDER DRACULA are both in color, made in the early 1970s and were barely released. The first movie, about modern day vampires, suffered from producer interference resulting in the director having his name removed. It also underwent several name changes. I first saw it in a drive-in and it wasn't half bad. In addition to Cushing, it has the added presence of Patrick Macnee and Edward Woodward. The 10 minute LSD induced orgy scene, which caused the director to leave and was ultimately cut, has been restored here. .. SPOILER ALERT!... It adds absolutely nothing to the film.

TENDER DRACULA (THE BIG SCARE) is a real oddity. It was made in France in 1974 and, aside from Cushing and THE THIRD MAN star Alida Valli, features an all French cast and crew. It was intended to be a combination horror comedy and sex farce and how well it succeeds will depend on your taste for...French horror comedies / sex farces. It does have its admirers but only in France which is the only place it was released before going straight to video. Whether it is Cushing's worst movie is debatable. He didn't think so, giving that distinction to 1967's THE BLOOD BEAST TERROR, but TD gets my vote.

As for the 6 SHERLOCK HOLMES episodes, they prove that Peter Cushing was one of the great Holmes interpreters right up there with Jeremy Brett and Basil Rathbone. His lean, gaunt features, dismissive attitude, and nervous energy are very close to Doyle's description of the character. Cushing also insisted that his wardrobe match the illustrations from the Victorian period magazines where Holmes first appeared. Nigel Stock is the perfect Dr. Watson. An ordinary man who helps to ground his extraordinary friend. Of the stories, only A STUDY IN SCARLET disappoints as the murderer's background has been eliminated.

So, in the final summary, CUSHING CURIOSITIES is a must for all fans of the actor even if not all the material is first rate. It gives us a chance to see Peter in some of his solid supporting roles before he became a horror star and some lesser known movies that he made to keep himself busy after his wife died in 1971...For more reviews visit The Capsule Critic.