Love at First Bite (1979)

Just perfect...

It's no definitive masterpiece but it's damn close.

Fantastic!

The film makes a home in your brain and the only cure is to see it again.

Affectionate spoof of the classic vampire story and most notably the Bela Lugosi film version, which benefits from a witty, intelligent script and some fine casting choices for the leads. However, the best thing about this film is the sense of harmless fun, and its extremely refreshing to see a modern movie with no swearing, violence, or sex scenes to ruin it for a family audience. Instead, what we get are plenty of one-liners which spoof those uttered by Lugosi (the best remembered being "Children of the night... shut up!") and excellent caricatured turns from the actors who really put themselves into the roles. In fact the only person who falls foul is the uninteresting Susan Saint James, whose boring character sits at odds with the rest of the film making you wonder why Dracula would go to all of the trouble bothering with her.George Hamilton effortlessly slips into the role of the suave, sophisticated Count with his tongue-in-cheek portrayal, and he isn't afraid to gently mock the character's idiosyncrasies while doing it either. Easily acting opposite him is an over-the-top Richard Benjamin, playing a slightly mad and frenetic descendant of Van Helsing, whose various encounters and battles with Dracula prove to be the highlights of the movie. Lower down in the cast we have a nice performance from Dick Shawn as the world-weary cop caught up in the case, and a scene-stealing appearance by Arte Johnson as Renfield, who cracks me up every time with his Dwight Frye-inspired manic laughing. With a very light plot, amusing humour, and emphasis on fun and action over slow-paced romance, LOVE AT FIRST BITE is a fine watch for vampire lovers everywhere.

Forced out of his Transylvanian castle by government officials, Count Vladimir Dracula and his bug-eating man-servant, Renfield, pull up stakes and land in New York City, where the bloodsucker begins his search for the fashion model he believes is his soulmate. "Love at First Bite" is a sassy, snorting romp, but it isn't crude; it has too big of a heart to be just another vampire spoof. Bram Stoker's infamous Count has been modernized (via the 1970s) as a die-hard romantic with a ticklish side (he amuses himself), and George Hamilton could not be better in the role. Whether seducing flaky sexpot Susan Saint James with some fancy moves on the dance-floor, matching wits with Richard Benjamin as a nutty psychiatrist (and Van Helsing relative!) or robbing a blood bank with Arte Johnson's Renfield in tow, Hamilton never gets pushy with his Dracula incarnation; he's working in a surprising, charming lower key and doesn't resort to hamming for laughs. The movie isn't especially well-produced--the color is gloppy, the continuity is spotty and the third act business is squashed together--but it has a sense of naughty (but not vulgar) playfulness that audiences responded to. Hamilton's obvious delight with this comic-book approach to Dracula is infectious, as well. His Count may not be street-smart or completely self-assured, but he's a flexible vampire, willing to adapt to the times. He's also loyal to the people he loves, and this gives the romance a groovy kick (when this vampire says "I love you," you knows he means it; he swoons a little himself when he says it). Hamilton revels in the fun, and he looks great in the cape. *** from ****

Another fantastic comedy movie. And another long time favorite comedy-horror film that I enjoy. If you get the humor in horror and in Dracula then you will get this belly-busting comedy movie.I saw this movie years ago as an 8 or 9 year old kid and it was "Love At First Watch" . I also watched it quite a few times during my teen years. To this very day, I will still laugh when I see this movie.I have admit that George Hamilton makes a good-looking Dracula and could have easily taken a serious Dracula role - but I'm glad he did this particular film.If you like is film (Love at First Bite) then you are also sure to love Leslie Nelson in "Dracula: Dead and Loving It". Both movies are so funny that I had tears streaming down my face.9/10

"Ooooh I, I love the nightlife I got to boogie On the disco 'round, oh yea.."The classic scene in the disco with Hamilton and Saint James sticks in my mind, although so do many other other scenes. This truly classic laugh-a-minute must stand as a truly guilty pleasure with many admitting despite its silly tone, it sure is funny- yep it sure is.I hired out the movie not expecting a great deal- it simply got it out to watch the movie. What I got was a fantastic comedy with romance, elements of parody and gold comic acting.I could go on about "Love At First Bite" but I will simply say this...SEE THIS MOVIE NOW NOW NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!