The Vampire's Ghost is an involving and atmospheric movie; John Abbott gives a melancholic and compelling portrayal of an Elizabethan vampire cursed to live out his existence preying on those who cross his path.

The film is set in Darkest Africa, amidst voodoo drums and restless native tribes. Abbott plays Webb Fallon, owner of a bar frequented by sailors and bar-flies, and possessing an uncanny ability to win at cards. The surrounding countryside is all a shiver as a series of vampire killings have taken place. Indeed the movie is permeated by the sounds of drums in the jungle. And at the climax Fallon is even trapped by the use of them giving away his location!

The doom-laden air Fallon gives off is very reminiscent of Gloria Holden in Dracula's Daughter, but the script contains several original touches, including an atmospheric sequence where the wounded Fallon is revived by being placed directly in the moonlight. The movie proceeds in a stately yet logical manner, and one can almost detect the influence on the lethargic vampires of Anne Rice. Although cheaply made by Republic Studios, this a fine little B flick well worth the trouble of seeking out.

"The Vampire's Ghost" is an underrated film. Don't expect a lot of effects or Gothic settings-this film carries itself without it. That may be a drawback to some viewers. The acting is good and the jungle scenes add an interesting touch. Some genre expectations(i.e. inability to go out in the sun)are thrown out. John Abbott is fine in the lead role. He plays a sympathetic figure at the beginning but starts to show his sinister side. He runs a dive by the waterfront which covers his true identity. When murders are committed, the natives start to blame him. The manner in which he is killed is a change from most vampire movies and the ability to regain his strength via moonlight is an original one. "Vampire's Ghost" is a film that is worth a look. Note-Movies Unlimited has a very good copy of this film but it is on VHS only. You could always have it transferred to DVD.

Republic Pictures cranked out a ton of "B" pictures in virtually every genre during the 1940s, many of which were (at best) barely watchable. There were, however, any number of mystery and horror titles which rose above the typical meager standards and achieved a special kind of wonderfulness all their own. One such example is THE VAMPIRE'S GHOST, a low budget horror film written by the legendary science fiction and horror scribe Leigh Brackett. The tale benefits from the exotic locale of an African plantation with the peculiarly mannered John Abbott starring as Webb Fallon, a centuries old vampire now living in Africa running a seedy saloon. The incidents in the film are quite unusual, most notably an exotic dance performed by Adele Mara in Fallon's saloon. A strange and atmospheric little gem that should appeal to fans of esoteric "B" films. Disregard all of the wrong-headed and annoyingly condescending critical evaluations in the conventional film guides (Leonard Maltin, John Stanley, etc); this film is definitely worth your time and attention.