Strange and Fantastic Tales of the 20th Century is a look back at the weirdest, most memorable, and most off center movies of the 20th century. From head turning horror to oddball science fiction this column examines the films that will leave a lasting impression for centuries to come.
The early 90’s ushered in a vampire explosion. Neil Jordan’s 1994 film adaptation of Anne Rice’s 1976 novel Interview with the Vampire solidified a bond between vampire lovers and films. Young readers were introduced to The Vampire Chronicles. A tsunami of vampires in pop culture washed over society.
Dateline episodes and talks shows were devoted to people who believed they were vampires. Chanel’s Vamp nail polish became all the rage. I still unapologetically rock a much cheaper version of that color. Forever Knight was on late night television, a show about a vampire turned police officer who worked the night shift. Eddie Murphy starred alongside Angela Bassett in A Vampire in Brooklyn. Dracula Dead and Loving It premiered three years after Francis Ford Coppola’s adaptation of Bram Stoker’s Dracula. If you liked vampires, this was your time to shine.
Blood and Donuts is a quirky Canadian film that premiered in 1995. Mixing comedy and horror, the oddball cast of characters are charming and fun to watch. Gordon Currie stars as Boya, a vampire that wakes up in 1995, completely mixed up since the last decade he was awake for was the 1960’s. Boya makes friends at Bernie’s Donuts, an all night diner. He befriends Molly, a bookworm who works the cash register at the shop. And he also becomes instant friends with Earl, a cab driver in need of rescuing when he gets in over his head with the mob.
Directed by Holly Dale and written by Andrew Rai Berzins, Blood and Donuts is a stylish and campy addition to the vampire canon. The soundtrack is fun. In the key of American Werewolf in London, the music that plays all centers around the theme of night and night creatures. Concrete Blonde’s “Bloodletting” plays while Boya is getting his outfit together. In addition, “Twilight Time” and “I Put A Spell on You” can be heard at various times in the film.
No vampire film is complete without a romantic interest. Boya has set his sights on Molly (Helene Clarkson). He is instantly attracted to her no nonsense attitude and love of knowledge. Boya has a problem with his ex from 1969. She’s pretty upset that she has aged and stalks him throughout Blood and Donuts trying to get him to turn her so she can preserve her looks. It’s not enough Boya has a crush on Molly, he also has to save Earl from the mob. The mob really wants to kill Earl. Their boss, played by David Cronenberg, has demanded it.
Blood and Donuts does not have much horror. It does, however, have psychic dream sex, a gory vampire sun death, laughs, and a cool soundtrack. Vampirism has very little to do with the film; in fact, plot has little to do with the film. However, it is still a fun little slice of afterlife. Watch this with your crush, put on some plastic fangs, and try to kiss them. It works every time.
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