A digital TV station that I started picking up after the hi-jacking of the analog television signal by the Govt/Industrial/Media Complex a couple of years ago is THIS TV, a subsidiary of KOMO which plays MGM Studios properties. As I write this, they are running the Mario Bava-scripted and directed PLANET OF THE VAMPIRES, a 1965 release starring Barry Sullivan and Norma Bengell.
During its original American run it was released by AIP on a double-bill with the Nick Adam's/Boris Karloff B-horror DIE MONSTER DIE!, which was very loosely based on H.P. Lovecraft's short story, "The Colour Out of Space". While I can't substantiate it, apparently PLANET OF THE VAMPIRES was an influence on Ridley Scott's ALIENS. I have to admit, there are several plot elements that are very similar.
I'm having fun watching it. It's a good print, the costumes are cool, the soundtrack is moody and downright eerie, the chicks are groovy, and the film definitely has its moments.
It's great to see Saturday Night "Spook Shows" again!
Barry Sullivan and Norma Bengall in a tense moment from PLANET OF THE VAMPIRES
Evi Marandi played Tiona in Mario Bava's 1965 sci-fi vampire film
The Spanish poster
The English poster
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