moonspinner55 Director Stephanie Rothman also co-wrote this present-day vampire tale with a female bloodsucker named Diane LeFanu putting the moves on her two guests, a bickering couple whose car broke down just outside of Diane's estate in the desert. Although the picture garnered some good reviews, New World and Roger Corman failed to promote it and the movie died a drive-in theater death. The touches of humor are certainly welcomed and the locale is interesting--as is the vampire-in-the-daylight scenario--but the characters merit little interest, even with the flashes of eroticism. * from ****

MartinHafer Throughout his career, Roger Corman has been known for his economical film making. No other producer/director can come close to his record of successful low-budgeted films. In the 1970s, Corman added something more to his films....boobies. His films never were high art but now they were often spiced up with sex--and "The Velvet Vampires" is exactly what I expected. Yep, a low budget with small-time actors and ample boobs. And, since it's a vampire film starring a hot female creature, you know that the boob quotient will be a lot higher than normal! While "The Velvet Vampire" is a very sexy film (and it might even be seen as soft-core porn by many), it is a bad film when it comes to some of the acting. In particular, Sherry Miles. I rarely point out a particular actor or actress, she was just terrible. While it's obvious why she was chosen (she got naked a lot and looked terrific), she couldn't act. She came off as whiny and annoying--and definitely NOT an actress. While the rest were okay, they were often hampered with horrid dialog---especially with the VERY silly and suggestive dinner scene. Overall, not worth seeing unless you want to see a lot of skin. As for the rest of the film, it's just silly. And, why is it that the vampire sure doesn't act like a vampire--such as going out during the daytime?! If you get a chance, trying reading Celeste Yarnall's bio on IMDb. I have nothing against the actress--she could act though had a habit of starring in bad films (such as ones made in the Philippines). But whoever wrote it was either VERY creepy or a family member, as they seemed obsessed and the language was a bit odd to say the least.

Scott LeBrun Nicely done vampire tale, an early effort for Roger Corman's New World Pictures, breaks from convention in some ways and gives it a refreshingly different environment in which to play out: the California desert.Super sexy Celeste Yarnall is the enigmatic Diane, a desert dweller who invites young couple Lee (Michael Blodgett, "Beyond the Valley of the Dolls") and Susan (Sherry Miles, 'Hee Haw') to her isolated mansion.Co-writer / director Stephanie Rothman, the woman behind such other drive-in gems as "The Working Girls" and "Terminal Island", incorporates elements such as eroticism, voyeurism, and mysticism into this often artfully done, dreamlike horror film with palpable desert atmosphere, excellent music, and impressive sun baked cinematography by Daniel Lacambre. The dream sequences are especially enjoyable, even more so when we learn Lee and Susan are having almost the same dreams in unison. Susan often comes off as too whiny and insecure, although one couldn't blame her too much for the latter when they see just how powerfully attracted Lee is to Diane. In fact, both Lee and Susan end up rather intrigued by their cagey and alluring hostess, just not at the same time.The isolated setting ensures that escape is, while definitely not impossible, certain to be a daunting task. The sequences in the cemetery, as well as those aforementioned dream sequences, are the best in the movie. Restrained use of violence helps to make the bloodier parts that much punchier when they do occur, and in general the use of colour is quite striking. Blodgett and Miles are okay as the couple, but this is definitely Yarnall's show, and she makes the most of her role; both she and Miles show off an appreciable amount of skin. Supporting players Gene Shane, as Carl, and Jerry Daniels, as Juan, are decent as well, with familiar character players Sandy Ward, as Amos the service station attendant, and Robert Tessier - playing a biker, naturally - making appearances as well."The Velvet Vampire" is a good little movie for discerning vampire movie lovers to check out, as it continues to remain an overlooked item.Seven out of 10.

John Seal The Velvet Vampire isn't a particularly good film, but it does feature four things in its favor: the alabaster beauty of Celeste Yarnall, here playing sexy desert-dwelling vampire Diane LeFanu; podgy Beyond the Valley of the Dolls veteran Michael Blodgett, cast as dimbulb horndog Lee Ritter; a yellow dune buggy, and a genuinely spectacular score. Credited to Roger Dollarhyde and Clancy B. Grass III, the score is an amazing blend of raga rock, pre-Dark Side of the Moon Floydian atmospherics, Joe Byrd-inflected electronica, and Fahey-esque guitar picking. I don't believe this score has ever had a commercial release, but soundtrack buffs would snap it up in an instant, so if anyone from Trunk Records or Film Score Monthly is reading this, buy the rights! The story revolves around fairly routine bloodsucking stuff, but director Stephanie Rothman's work reflects the influence of Antonioni with scenes reminiscent of both Red Desert and Zabriskie Point. That's something I never thought I'd write about a New World release, but I swear it's true.