Today, this “Vampires of America” kick lifts the coffin lid on the Blaxploitation era. It was a watershed time for iconoclastic, ridiculous, and politically charged Black horror films—the first major example being 1972’s “Blacula.” I’m thrilled to be joined by Odie Henderson, author of “Black Caesars and Foxy Cleopatras” and film critic for The Boston Globe.

On this episode, we analyze William Marshall’s Shakespearean performance as Blacula, speculate on the vampire’s powerful backhand, and explore all the film history around “Dracula’s soul brother.”

I strongly recommend both Odie’s book and his criticism:
Black Caesars and Foxy Cleopatras

“Ganja & Hess” (1973) next week! And if you missed last week’s “Fright Night” (1985) episode, listen here.