Did you know that Hammer made vampire films that didn’t star Christopher Lee or Peter Cushing? That’s pretty frightening. But after releasing The Horror of Dracula and The Brides of Dracula, the studio gave viewers bloodsuckers without Dracula’s influence with The Kiss of the Vampire in 1963. This time a honeymooning couple encounters a cult that’s membership requirements include becoming a vampire. The cult leader has plans for the visitors. When it came time to sell the movie for American television, Universal had to retitle the film Kiss of Evil, cut out all the blood scenes and create new footage to keep the running time right. The great news is that the TV adaptation is part of The Kiss of the Vampire: Collector’s Edition coming out from Scream Factory in July. The previous releases of The Kiss of the Vampire didn’t include the Kiss of Evil cut. Scream Factory has upgraded the Hammer Horror experience once more. Here’s the press release from Scream Factory:
SCREAM FACTORY PRESENTS
THE KISS OF THE VAMPIRE COLLECTOR’S EDITION
Starring Clifford Evan, Noel Willman, Edward De Souza,
Jennifer Daniel, and Barry Warren
HIGHLY ANTICIPATED HAMMER FILM CULT CLASSIC
ARRIVES ON BLU-RAY™ JULY 14, 2020
FROM SCREAM FACTORY™
This summer, brace yourself for the long-awaited Hammer cult film classic debuting on Blu-ray. On July 14, 2020, SCREAM FACTORY™ is excited to present the highly sought-after Hammer Film cult classic THE KISS OF THE VAMPIRE Collector’s Edition Blu-ray. Directed by Don Sharp (The Avengers, The Four Feathers) and produced by Anthony Hinds (The Phantom of the Opera), this spine-chilling horror classic stars Clifford Evans (The Curse of the Werewolf), Noel Willman (Doctor Zhivago), Edward De Souza (The Spy Who Loved Me), Jennifer Daniel (Wuthering Heights), and Barry Warren (Frankenstein Created Woman). A must-have for movie collectors and loyal fans of Hammer Films, this definitive Blu-ray release contains special bonus content, including new 2K scan of the interpositive, new audio commentaries with author and film historian Steve Haberman and filmmaker/film historians Constantine Nasr, new interviews with composer James Bernard and production designer Bernard Robinson, and much more!
Avid fans and collectors, please take note: those who order THE KISS OF THE VAMPIRE Collector’s Edition from ShoutFactory.com and get an Exclusive 18” x 24” Rolled Poster featuring brand new artwork, available while supplies last!
Lost on the way to their honeymoon, a young couple stumbles upon a mysterious family of vampires and their unspeakably evil leader. When a wrong turn leaves newlyweds Marianne and Gerald Harcourt stranded in a remote Bavarian forest, they have no choice but to accept the hospitality of the hypnotic Dr. Ravna, distinguished lord of a nearby castle. Ravna uses his “children” to lure the newlyweds to his lair, and soon they are plunged into a nightmare of horror and deception from which there may be no escape. Their only hope is Professor Zimmer, who calls upon an ancient ritual in a desperate attempt to destroy the vampires and free Marianne from Ravna’s power.
“THE KISS OF THE VAMPIRE”
Starring CLIFFORD EVANS NOEL WILLMAN EDWARD DE SOUZA JENNIFER DANIEL BARRY WARREN
Screenplay By JOHN ELDER Directed By DON SHARP Produced By ANTHONY HINDS
A HAMMER FILM Production
THE KISS OF THE VAMPIRE Collector’s Edition Blu-ray
SPECIAL FEATURES:
NEW 2K scan of the interpositive in two aspect ratios (1.85:1 and 1.66:1)
NEW Audio Commentary with author/film historian Steve Haberman and filmmaker/film historian Constantine Nasr on the 1.66:1 version
NEW The Men Who Made Hammer: Composer James Bernard
NEW The Men Who Made Hammer: Production Designer Bernard Robinson
Audio Commentary with actors Edward De Souza and Jennifer Daniels, moderated by Peter Irving on the 1.85:1 version
Theatrical Trailer
TV Spot
TV Version Kiss of Evil with optional audio commentary by film historians Troy Howarth and Nathaniel Thompson (in standard definition – 1.33.1)
Additional scenes added to the TV version Kiss of Evil
Kiss of Evil TV trailer
1080p High-Definition Widescreen (1.85:1)/English DTS-HD Master Audio Mono/English SDH Subtitles/1963/Color/Approximate Feature Running Time +/- 88 Minutes
Shout! Factory will continue to present the on-going SCREAM FACTORY™ home entertainment series in 2020 with specific release dates, extras and key art. Meanwhile, fans are encouraged to visit the Scream Factory main website, follow them on Facebook and Twitter or to view exclusive video content on YouTube.
