Il mostro dell'opera

Having seen the other three titles in what is considered the early Italian Vampire Quartet (Slaughter Of The Vampires, Playgirls and the Vampire, Vampire and The Ballerina) - I went out of my way to track this one down. "Slaughter" is a masterpiece of the genre, while "Ballerina" and "Playgirls" feature some silly shenanigans involving girls dancing, prancing, and fleeing in see-through nightgowns but also some stylish shots and creepy atmosphere - but this one offers very little in the entertainment department and is an overall goofy and frivolous effort. It is a very amateurishly made film involving a group of dancers who decide to perform at an old run down theater inhabited by a vampire and his servant. The "count" in this is hardly ominous, and there are many scenes of the troupe dancing, either at their own will or under force by the Count. It is notable for being one of the first (if not THE first) horror film to feature lesbianism but other than that this bloodless vampire effort will put you to sleep.