THE VAMPIRE'S GHOST

Charles Gordon, John Abbott, Adele Mara

THE VAMPIRE'S GHOST (1945). Director: Lesley Selander. Colorized.

In the village of Bokunda in Africa, dead bodies are turning up partially drained of blood. The natives believe a vampire is on the loose, something which is scoffed at by Father Gilchrist (Grant Withers of Jungle Jim), as well as Roy Hendrick (Charles Gordon), his girlfriend, Julie (Peggy Stewart), and her father Thomas (Emmett Vogan of Hop Harrigan). On an expedition to a nearby village, tavern owner Webb Fallon (John Abbott of Deception) puts a spell on Roy and reveals that he is four-hundred years old and fond of drinking blood. As more murders occur, Fallon develops an overwhelming "fondess" for Julie, whom he hopes to make one of the Undead to ease his loneliness. Will Roy be able to shrug off the mind control and save his lover? 

John Abbott as the unlikely vampire

The Vampire's Ghost -- there is actually no ghost in the picture -- is a cheap Republic horror film that has some well-staged sequences (a night time attack on gambler Roy Barcroft, for instance) but is overall mediocre. In motion pictures vampires tend to be frightening and/or romantic figures, but the funny-lookin' John Abbott more often played comical or weaselly roles. However, Abbott is a good enough actor to be entirely credible as the sinister Fallon. Republic contract player Charles Gordon, who only made ten pictures, is effective as Roy, who doesn't seem much of a match for Fallon. Peggy Stewart, and Adele Mara as the ill-fated dancer Lisa, are also good. Grant Withers and Roy Barcroft, old standbys in classic serials, go through their paces with panache, especially Barcroft. The conclusion at a jungle temple devoted to a long-gone cult of evil is so drawn out that the film, which is less than an hour long, temporarily seems interminable. Lesley Selander also directed the serial Jungle Raiders. 

Verdict: Worth seeing just once. **1/2.