“El Vampiro Negro” (1953) / Z-View
El Vampiro Negro (1953)
Director: Román Viñoly Barreto
Screenplay: Alberto Etchebehere, Román Viñoly Barreto based on the screenplay M by Fritz Lang & Thea von Harbou
Stars: Olga Zubarry, Roberto Escalada and Nathán Pinzón.
Tagline: None.
The Plot…
A serial killer that the press labeled El Vampiro Negro (The Black Vampire) continues his killing spree of little girls. Late one evening Amalia (Zubarry), a singer in a less than reputable nightclub, accidentally spies the killer dumping a child’s body in a sewer drain. Amalia is frightened and afraid to go to the police. When detectives ask questions of the nightclub’s employees, Amalia lies and says she didn’t see anything.
El Vampiro Negro continues to murder little girls. When police find their bodies, there is no evidence left behind. The killer is both smart and lucky. As a patron of the nightclub where Amalia sings, the killer comes into contact with Amalia’s young daughter. She will be his next victim…
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
El Vampiro Negro is a re-tooling of Fritz Lang’s M. Although the title might make you think El Vampiro Negro is a silly horror film, it is far from being silly. I’m surprised that El Vampiro Negro isn’t better known since it is well written and beautifully directed. The black and white cinematography by Aníbal González Paz is mesmerizing. The camera loves Olga Zubarry and she’s excellent in her role. Peter Lore became an international star after his performance as the killer in M. Unfortunately Nathán Pinzón didn’t receive the fame, but his performance is just as powerful.
El Vampiro Negro earns 5 of 5 stars.
