PARDON ME, BUT YOUR TEETH ARE IN MY NECK!

Roman Polanski wanted his 1967 comedy horror film titled DANCE OF THE VAMPIRES, but overlord executive producer Martin Ransohoff wanted the ridiculously long THE FEARLESS VAMPIRE KILLERS, OR PARDON ME, BUT YOUR TEETH ARE IN MY NECK. Polanski also wanted the vivacious redhead Jill St. John to play Sarah Shagal, the innkeeper's daughter, but again Ransohoff demanded that he instead cast his new find and up-and-comer, a beautiful actress by the name of Sharon Tate. Polanski managed to thumb his nose at Ransohoff by having Tate wear a red wig provided by hairdresser Biddy Chrystal.

International poster art by Frank Frazetta.

Every bit, if not more opulent than a Hammer horror film of the day, Polanski's film was gorgeously shot by cinematographer Douglas Slocombe in the snowbound location of the Dolomite mountains in Italy. Often cited as having a fairy tale-like quality, it tells the story of Professor Abronsius, a vampire researcher (Jack McGowran) and his oafish assistant Alfred (Polanski) who arrive in a small village and discover it is being preyed upon by vampires lead by Count Krolock (Ferdy Mayne). A romance blooms between Alfred and Sarah, but it is interrupted when the vampire makes off with her. Abronsius and Alfred must track down and destroy the monster before he turns Sarah into a vampire.

U.S. poster art by Clément Hurel.

Ironically, the change of lead actresses led to Polanski and Tate's budding romance and they married on January 20, 1968. Their reception was at the London Playboy Club. One wonders how history would have played out if Jill St. John had been cast as Polanski intended . . .

Italian poster art.

Original trailer:

The Vampire Ball (film clip):

Roman Polanski and Sharon Tate on PLAYBOY AFTER DARK (Air date: February 7, 1969):

Tune in tomorrow for more FEARLESS VAMPIRE KILLERS and a surprise special pictorial.