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Love at First Bite

Love at First Bite is a 1979 American film directed by and written by Robert Kaufman, loosely based on Bram Stoker's characters, in which relocates from to in search of true love. The film stars as the suave , as fashion model Cindy Sondheim—whom Dracula believes to be the of his long-lost love— as her psychiatrist boyfriend Jeffrey Rosenberg, as the bumbling police lieutenant Ed Ferguson, and as Dracula's loyal servant . After the Communist government in seizes his castle, Dracula and arrive in 1970s , where the count navigates modern urban life, including culture and fashion shows, while pursuing Cindy and evading authorities who suspect his supernatural activities. Produced by Productions and distributed by , the film premiered on April 13, 1979, and achieved significant commercial success, grossing over $43 million at the domestic on a modest budget. Critically, it received mixed to positive reviews for its lighthearted spoof of lore, with praise for Hamilton's charismatic performance and the film's energetic humor, though some noted uneven pacing and dated jokes; it holds a 71% approval rating on based on 24 reviews.

Synopsis and Characters

Plot

In Love at First Bite, is evicted from his Transylvanian castle by the Communist government, which intends to repurpose it as a training facility for the national gymnastics team, forcing him and his servant to relocate within 48 hours. The pair travels by plane to , where checks into the and immediately encounters modern urban chaos, including a run-in with muggers whom he dispatches using his abilities. Spotting a magazine photo of fashion model Cindy Sondheim, becomes infatuated, viewing her as the reincarnation of his centuries-lost love from Victorian times, and sets out to pursue her romantically. Dracula attends a high-society to meet Cindy, where he employs his hypnotic gaze to charm her, leading to an instant connection despite her initial bewilderment at his antique demeanor and cape. Their relationship blossoms through dates filled with comedic mishaps, such as Dracula's failed attempts to dine discreetly on or avoid by day, and a memorable night at a vampire-themed where he bites her neck, deepening her attraction to his promise of and passion. , ever loyal but comically inept, assists by stealing from a local to sate Dracula's hunger and handling his master's coffin for transport, often bungling tasks like protecting Dracula's supply of crickets. Complications arise when Cindy's on-again, off-again boyfriend, psychiatrist Jeffrey Rosenberg—a descendant of the famed vampire hunter —discovers bite marks on her neck and launches an obsessive crusade to expose and destroy , driven by a mix of professional skepticism, jealousy, and ancestral duty. Rosenberg's pursuits lead to a series of chases across the city, including mistaken-identity gags where he is briefly hypnotized by into believing absurd scenarios, and parodies of vampire lore such as a botched staking attempt thwarted by a hidden or 's exaggerated recoil from a cross that turns out to be plastic. The narrative builds to a climax during a massive blackout, when Rosenberg and Lt. Ferguson pursue and Cindy to in a chaotic chase involving , stakes, and , but 's cunning and Cindy's choice to embrace their love allow the couple to escape together by transforming into bats and flying away. Throughout, 's arc shifts from displaced aristocrat to confident suitor, Cindy's from independent model to willing eternal companion, and Rosenberg's hunt underscores the film's humor through his increasingly frantic failures.

Cast

The principal cast of Love at First Bite features as Count Vladimir Dracula, a suave and romantic vampire who relocates from to in pursuit of love, bringing a comedic twist to the classic horror archetype with his tanned, debonair charm. Hamilton's casting was pivotal, as his impromptu impression of Bela Lugosi's Dracula at a party inspired Kaufman to develop the project specifically around the actor, who also served as . portrays Cindy Sondheim, a glamorous model who serves as Dracula's love interest and unwitting of his long-lost beloved. plays Dr. Jeffrey Rosenberg, a bumbling and descendant of the famed Van Helsing, whose inept attempts to thwart Dracula provide much of the film's . Arte Johnson delivers a memorable performance as , Dracula's loyal servant characterized by his sycophantic devotion, nervous tics, and quirky habit of consuming to sustain his strength, echoing the character's literary origins while amplifying the humor. In supporting roles, appears as Lieutenant Ferguson, a comically overzealous entangled in the vampire chaos. makes his film debut as Reverend Mike, a whose encounter with Dracula leads to a frantic, sequence in a . plays Judge R. Thomas, adding sharp wit to a scene amid the film's escalating absurdity.

Production

Development

The concept for Love at First Bite emerged in the mid-1970s when actor partnered with Harold "Sonny" Van Arnem to create a comedic reinterpretation of Bram Stoker's , relocating the to contemporary America for satirical effect. , drawing from his impressions of classic Dracula portrayals, pitched the idea alongside Van Arnem, leading to collaboration with screenwriter Robert Kaufman on the script. The project initially bore the provocative working title Sucks Again, which was later revised to the more palatable Love at First Bite to sidestep potential backlash, a change suggested by . Kaufman's screenplay shifted the tone toward lighthearted , prioritizing humor over traditional elements while incorporating modern cultural references to heighten the comedic contrast between the ancient and 1970s New York City life. Influences from the era's vampire spoofs, such as Mel Brooks' (1974), informed the script's affectionate send-up of Gothic tropes. Revisions focused on amplifying the romantic and fish-out-of-water comedy, ensuring the narrative emphasized Dracula's charm and bewilderment in a fast-paced urban setting. Financing came from real estate developer , a entering film production, who backed the project through his Melvin Simon Productions with a modest budget of $3.3 million. Simon selected experienced comedy producer Joel Freeman to oversee the effort, while director became attached to the project through actor , an acquaintance of screenwriter . His prior was the 1972 Dirty Little Billy. Hamilton's as star and underscored his personal investment, committing him deeply to refining the script and assembling the team amid pre-production hurdles like title adjustments and tonal polishing.

Filming

Principal photography for Love at First Bite commenced on June 13, 1978. The production utilized soundstages at in for interior scenes, including castle sequences, while exterior shots were captured on location in and to evoke the film's urban comedic backdrop. Key filming sites included the and , which helped establish the chaotic, modern environment contrasting Dracula's Transylvanian origins. Additional locations encompassed The Langham Apartments at 715 S. Normandie Avenue in and at 462 First Avenue in . The film was shot in color using lenses and a Panaflex camera, with handled by Edward Rosson, whose work contributed to the visual blend of Gothic parody and 1970s New York vibrancy.

Release and Distribution

Theatrical Release

Love at First Bite premiered in on April 13, 1979, marking the initial theatrical rollout distributed by (AIP). The film began its staggered expansion earlier, opening in 88 theaters across , , and on April 6, 1979, before growing to over 300 theaters nationwide by the end of the month, with a on April 27, 1979. The marketing campaign highlighted the film's humorous spin on vampire lore, featuring posters that showcased George Hamilton's portrayal of a stylish, sun-tanned against backdrops. Key taglines included "Your favorite pain in the neck is about to bite your funny bone!" and " takes a bite of the !", emphasizing the comedic relocation of the classic character to modern . Promotions tied into the late vampire resurgence, spurred by Anne Rice's 1976 novel and the Tony Award-winning Broadway revival of that opened in 1977. At the , Love at First Bite proved a major success for AIP, grossing $43.9 million domestically against a $3 million budget and ranking as the 11th highest-grossing of 1979. This performance made it AIP's biggest hit to date and one of the studio's final major releases before its 1980 merger with . International distribution rolled out through 1979 and into 1980, including openings in on September 3, 1979, and the Netherlands on September 13, 1979.

Home Media

The home media distribution of Love at First Bite commenced with releases in the early 1980s, providing early access to the film outside theaters. The initial edition was issued by Warner Home Video in 1981, followed by a reissue from Home Video on June 16, 1993, which featured an updated transfer for improved picture quality. The film transitioned to formats with a DVD release from on July 12, 2005, presented in both and full-screen versions with English, , and subtitles. This edition restored elements of the original soundtrack, including the song "I Love the Nightlife" in the sequence, which had been replaced in prior video versions due to licensing issues. In 2015, Shout! Factory, under its Scream Factory label, issued the first Blu-ray edition on February 10 as a paired with the 1985 sequel Once Bitten, utilizing an AVC-encoded transfer in a 1.85:1 and 2.0 stereo sound. This release further restored the full original audio track and included theatrical trailers for both films, though it did not feature a full upscale or additional commentary tracks. Digital availability expanded in subsequent years, with the film offered for streaming and rental on platforms including in regions such as the as of 2025. No dedicated UHD Blu-ray edition has been released to date. Collector's interest has centered on limited-run variants, such as region-specific DVDs (e.g., the 2005 UK edition distributed by local labels) and bundled sets with posters in specialty packaging.

Reception

Critical Response

Upon its theatrical release in 1979, Love at First Bite garnered mixed critical reception, with reviewers appreciating its comedic energy while pointing to narrative weaknesses and uneven tone. Variety described the film as a "rowdy burlesque of the Dracula movies" that delivers steady chuckles interspersed with guffaws, crediting director Stan Dragoti for maintaining momentum through the spoof's lowbrow gags, though it noted the plot's occasional tediousness and reliance on moldy jokes. The New York Times characterized it as a "coarse, delightful little movie" buoyed by a strong ensemble, particularly praising George Hamilton's unexpected flair for comedy as the suave Count Dracula, but faulted the script for juvenile elements like dangling stuffed bats and witless ethnic humor that risked offense. Retrospective assessments have been kinder, emphasizing the film's enduring appeal as an early of conventions in a modern setting. On , it holds a 71% approval rating from 24 critic reviews, with the consensus lauding its playful subversion of tropes through fish-out-of-water antics and Hamilton's charismatic lead turn, often cited as a comedic high point in his career. However, some later critiques highlight dated and stereotypical portrayals that feel anachronistic today, tempering praise for its lighthearted spoof with reservations about cultural insensitivity. Audience reception remains solidly positive, evidenced by a 6.1 out of 10 rating on from over 6,800 user votes as of 2025. The film's performance benefited from strong word-of-mouth among viewers drawn to its irreverent humor.

Accolades and Box Office Performance

Love at First Bite earned recognition primarily through genre awards, with notable success at the 7th Saturn Awards presented in 1980 for 1979 films. George Hamilton won Best Actor for his comedic portrayal of Count Dracula, while Arte Johnson secured Best Supporting Actor for his role as Renfield. William J. Tuttle received the Best Makeup award for his transformative work on the vampire effects. The film also garnered nominations for Best Horror Film, Best Writing (Robert Kaufman), and Best Actress (Susan Saint James), though it did not win Best Horror Film, which went to Dracula. Additionally, Hamilton was nominated for Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy at the 37th Golden Globe Awards. The film received no Academy Award nominations. The performances, especially Hamilton's charismatic take on the iconic , drew critical praise that aligned with the Saturn wins for . Financially, Love at First Bite proved a major success for , grossing $43.9 million in on a $3 million budget, marking AIP's highest-earning release at the time and contributing to the studio's late-1970s resurgence with bigger-budget productions.) It finished as the 11th-highest-grossing film of 1979 domestically, behind films such as ($76.7 million). This performance helped demonstrate the commercial viability of vampire comedies, paving the way for profitable entries in the subgenre. The film's enduring appeal as a hit has sustained its availability in home media formats.

Legacy

Sequel Plans

In the years following the release of Love at First Bite, George Hamilton acquired the film's rights from producer Melvin Simon and announced plans to develop and star in a sequel titled Love at Second Bite as early as 1992. By 2005, Hamilton partnered with producer Tony Thomopoulos to revive the project as an updated comedy, with screenwriter David Steinberg attached to pen Love at Second Bite, which would continue the story of Hamilton's Dracula navigating modern life. In 2009, Hamilton provided further details on the proposed sequel, then titled Batrimony: Love at Second Bite or Matrimony: Love at Second Bite, which he had scripted himself. The plot centered on Dracula's Americanized son—a perennial student in California—rejecting his family's vampiric heritage to marry a human zoologist he encountered while in bat form in a South American cave, with Dracula attending the Hollywood wedding alongside eccentric relatives and clashing with contemporary vampire trends in a blend of old-world horror comedy and family farce. Hamilton described the script as "terrific" and emphasized its humorous contrast between classic Bela Lugosi-style Dracula and modern "Twilight felons," likening it to The Birdcage meets Meet the Parents. As late as 2019, Hamilton reaffirmed his commitment to the project, noting that he could reprise the role of the increasingly befuddled "as long as I'm alive." Despite periodic updates in interviews, no further developments have materialized, and the sequel remains unproduced as of 2025. The 1985 vampire comedy Once Bitten, while not an official follow-up, has been frequently paired with Love at First Bite in home media releases as a thematic in the genre, sharing a lighthearted take on romance though lacking direct connections or Hamilton's involvement as .

Cultural Impact

Love at First Bite played a significant role in revitalizing the genre through during the late , blending spoof elements with romantic tropes to create a fish-out-of-water that highlighted 's adjustment to modern American life. Released amid a surge of adaptations that year, the film stood out as a major , contributing to the era's horror- hybrid trend. Its lighthearted of classic vampire lore, including George Hamilton's tanned portrayal of the Count imitating Bela Lugosi's accent, helped shift perceptions of vampires from purely horrific figures to comedic ones, influencing subsequent spoofs by emphasizing cultural clashes and romantic pursuits. The film's most enduring contribution to pop culture is its iconic line, "Children of the night... shut up!", a humorous twist on Lugosi's famous dialogue from the 1931 , which has been quoted and referenced in various media retrospectives on cinema. This quip encapsulates the movie's satirical edge, poking fun at gothic conventions while making the archetype accessible and relatable. Hamilton's suave, unexpectedly comedic take on the role further cemented its place in genre discussions, often highlighted for subverting expectations of the pale, menacing . Over time, Love at First Bite achieved cult status, bolstered by its box-office success that provided (AIP) with one of its highest-grossing releases before the studio's merger, marking it as a for the independent producer's legacy. The film's blend of disco-era humor and resonated with audiences, leading to repeated viewings and appreciation as a witty entry in the vampire spoof subgenre, though some critics noted its dated elements. Hamilton's performance became career-defining, frequently him in vampire-related roles and appearances, as the suave image overshadowed his earlier dramatic work. In the 2020s, the movie has seen renewed interest through streaming availability on platforms like YouTube and inclusion in comprehensive vampire film retrospectives, underscoring its lasting appeal amid ongoing discussions of horror-comedy evolution. While not sparking major new adaptations post-2021, it remains a touchstone for examining the 1970s-1980s boom in genre-blending films that made supernatural tales more comedic and mainstream.

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