Horror, Sci-Fi & some...Soundtrack: Krzysztof Komeda ~ The Fearless Vampire Killers™ (1967)

Krzysztof Komeda ~ The Fearless Vampire Killers™ (1967)

Who says Vampires are no laughing matter?

The Fearless Vampire Killers
Or: Pardon Me, But Your Teeth Are In My Neck

Pardon Me, But Your Teeth Are In My Neck

Per Favore, Non Mordermi Sul Collo!

Krzysztof Komeda

Official Site!

Official Web Site!

Krzysztof Komeda was born on 27 April 1931 in Poznań, Poland– he died on April 23, 1969 in Warsawhe. He's was a Polish film music composer and jazz pianist. Great Jazz Pianist!!!

The score was provided by Krzysztof Komeda, who also scored Rosemary's Baby.

Krzysztof Komeda ~ The Fearless Vampire Killers™ Or: Pardon Me, But Your Teeth Are In My Neck (Original Soundtrack) (1967)

The Fearless Vampire Killers™ (Soundtrack, Import)
Krzysztof Komeda (Composer) | Format: Audio CD

Artist/Composer: Krzysztof Komeda
Album: Fearless Vampire Killers™
Original Release Date: June 1967
Release Date: 8 August 2005
Country: Great Britain
Format: LP, Vinyl, CD, Album
Genre: Classical, Soundtrack, Jazz, Polska
Style: Stage & Screen, Score
Label: Harkit
© Harkit Records UK.

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Album tracklist:
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Composer, Conductor by Krzysztof Komeda

Wszystkie kompozycje - Krzysztof Komeda
Zespół wokalny Mike Same's Singers (1-20) Orkiestra po dyrekcją Jacka Parnella (1-20)
Nagrano w Londynie (1-20)

Nagrania do filmu "Fearless Vampire Killers"

Roman Polanski starred with his then wife Sharon Tate in this lavish horror spoof. This soundtrack features music by Krzysztof Komeda. Origial notes with text in English and Polish.

This is my favourite film all time!

Roman Polanski's magnificent director!!!

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Here: Amazon UK!

Album: Rapida!

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...That night, penetrating deep into the heart of Transylvania, Professor Abronsius was unaware that he was on the point of reaching the goal of his mysterious investigations. In the course of which he had journeyed throughout Central Europe for years accompanied by his one and only faithful disciple, Alfred. A scholar and scientist whose genius was unappreciated, Abronsius had given up all to devote himself body and soul to what was to him a sacred mission. He had even lost his chair at Königsberg University, where for a long time his colleagues used to refer to him as "The Nut"...

The Fearless Vampire Killers,
or Pardon Me, But Your Teeth Are in My Neck (1967)

The Fearless Vampire Killers, or Pardon Me, But Your Teeth Are in My Neck (shortened to The Fearless Vampire Killers; originally titled Dance of the Vampires) is a 1967 comedy horror film directed by Roman Polanski, written by Gérard Brach and Polanski, produced by Gene Gutowski and co-starring Polanski with future wife Sharon Tate. It has been produced as a musical named Dance of the Vampires.

Also known as:
Vampire Ball (1967, Europe: working title)
Dance of the Vampires (1967, Great Britain)
Fearless Vampire Killers or: Pardon Me, But Your Teeth Are In My Neck, The (1967, United States)
Vampire Killers, The (1967, United States, working title)

...The elderly bat researcher, professor Abronsius and his assistant, Alfred, go to a remote Transylvanian village looking for vampires. Alfred falls in love with the inn-keeper's young daughter Sarah. However, she has been spotted by the mysterious count Krolock who lives in a dark and creepy castle outside the village...

Official Trailer!

Directed by Roman Polanski

Written by Roman Polanski & Gérard Brach

Starring: Jack MacGowran, Roman Polanski, Sharon Tate, Ferdy Mayne

Music by Krzysztof Komeda

Produced by Gene Gutowski

Original Release Date: February, 1967 (UK), November 13, 1967 (U.S.)

Location: Cortina d'Ampezzo, Belluno, Veneto, Italy

Cast:

Jack MacGowran as Professor Abronsius

Roman Polanski as Alfred, Abronsius's assistant

Sharon Tate as Sarah Shagal

Ferdy Mayne as Count von Krolock

Ian Quarrier as Herbert von Krolock

Alfie Bass as Yoine Shagal, the innkeeper

Terry Downes as Koukol, Krolock's servant

Jessie Robins as Rebecca Shagal

Fiona Lewis as Magda, Shagal's maid

Storyline:

The film is set in the heart of Transylvania and the story appears to take place sometime during the mid-19th Century. Professor Abronsius, formerly of the University of Königsberg, and his apprentice Alfred are on the hunt for vampires. Abronsius is old and withering and barely able to survive the cold ride through the wintry forests, while Alfred is bumbling and introverted. The two hunters come to a small Eastern European town seemingly at the end of a long search for signs of vampires. The two stay at a local inn, full of angst-ridden townspeople who perform strange rituals to fend off an unseen evil.

Snowman

Whilst staying at the inn, Alfred develops a fondness for Sarah, the daughter of the tavern keeper Yoine Shagal. After witnessing Sarah being kidnapped by the local vampire lord, Count von Krolock, Abronsius and Alfred follow his snow trail, leading them to Krolock's ominous castle in the snow-blanketed hills nearby. They break into the castle, but are trapped by the Count's hunchback servant, Koukol. Upon being taken to see the count, he affects an air of aristocratic dignity whilst he cleverly questions Abronsius about why he has come to the castle. They also encounter the Count's son, the foppish (and homosexual) Herbert. Meanwhile, Shagal himself has been vampirized and sets on his plan to turn Magda, the tavern's beautiful maidservant and the object of his lust while he was still human, into his vampire bride.

Despite misgivings, Abronsius and Alfred accept the Count's invitation to stay in his ramshackle Gothic castle, where Alfred spends the night fitfully. The next morning, Abronsius plans to find the castle crypt and kill the Count, seemingly forgetting about the fate of Sarah. The crypt is guarded by the hunchback, so after some wandering they climb in through a roof window. However, Abronsius gets stuck in the window; and it is up to Alfred to kill the Count, which he feels unable to do. He has to go back outside to free Abronsius, but on the way he comes upon Sarah having a bath in her room. She seems oblivious to her danger when he pleads for her to come away with him, and reveals that a ball is to take place this very night. After briefly taking his eyes of her, Alfred turns to find Sarah vanished into thin air.

Sharon Tate as Sarah Shagal

After freeing Abronsius, who is half frozen, they re-enter the castle. Alfred again seeks Sarah but meets Herbert instead, who first attempts to seduce him and then, after Alfred realizes that Herbert's reflection does not show in the mirror, reveals his vampire nature and attempts to bite him. Abronsius and Alfred flee from Herbert through a dark stairway to safety, only to be trapped behind a locked door on a turret. As night is falling, they become horrified witnesses as the gravestones below open up to reveal a huge number of vampires at the castle, who hibernate and meet once a year only to feast upon any captives the Count has provided for them. The Count appears, mocking them and tells them their fate is sealed. He leaves them to attend a dance, where Sarah will be presented as the next vampire victim.

Dance Scene

However, the hunters escape by firing a cannon at the door by substituting steam pressure for gunpowder, and come to the dance in disguise, where they grab Sarah and flee. Escaping by horse carriage, they are now unaware that it is too late for Sarah, who awakens in mid-flight as a vampire and bites Alfred, thus allowing vampires to be released into the world.

When the film was first released in the United States, MGM wanted to market it as a farce, and gave it the title The Fearless Vampire Killers, or Pardon Me, But Your Teeth Are in My Neck. The director was less than pleased. Over the years it has been reported in most sources that studio head Martin Ransohoff cut Dance of the Vampires for the American release. In fact, MGM Supervising Editor Margaret Booth and Head of Theatrical Post Production, Merle Chamberlain, made the cuts and remixed the film in an attempt to make it 'kooky and cartoony.'

The Fearless Vampire Killers (1967)

Photo Shoot in Black

A year ago exactly on this same night we were assembled here in this very room: I your pastor, and you my beloved flock. With hopefulness in my heart I told you then that with Lucifer's aid we might look forward to a more succulent occasion. Cast back your minds. There we were, gathered together, gloomy and despondent, around a single meager woodcutter.

Sharon Tate as Sarah Shagal

Jack MacGowran as Professor Abronsius

I'm not completely daft, you know.

Tanz der Vampire (1967) Bilder

Sharon Tate as Sarah

Sharon Tate as Sarah from Playboy '67

I am a night bird.
I am not much good in the daytime.

...That night, fleeing from Transylvania, Professor Abronsius never guessed he was carrying away with him the very evil he had wished to destroy. Thanks to him, this evil would at last be able to spread across the world...