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Lemora
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Lemora
U.S. theatrical poster
Directed byRichard Blackburn
Written byRichard Blackburn
Produced byRobert Fern
Starring
CinematographyRobert Caramico
Edited byPieter Hubbard
Music byDan Neufeld
Distributed byMedia Cinema Group
Release dates
  • April 30, 1973 (1973-04-30) (Claremont, California)[1]
  • December 18, 1974 (1974-12-18) (U.S.)[2]
Running time
85 minutes[3]
LanguageEnglish

Lemora is a 1973 American horror film written and directed by Richard Blackburn, and starring Cheryl Smith, Hy Pyke, and Lesley Gilb. It follows a young girl in Prohibition-era America who travels to a mysterious town to visit her father, and uncovers a coterie of vampires. It was also released under the alternate titles Lemora: A Child's Tale of the Supernatural, The Legendary Curse of Lemora, and Lemora, Lady Dracula.

Conceived by Blackburn, a former University of California, Los Angeles film student, Lemora was filmed on location in Pomona and surrounding areas. It had its premiere at Scripps College in April 1973, after which it was sold for distribution to Media Cinema Group, who cut the film by nearly forty minutes and released it theatrically in late 1974. The film was heavily criticized by the Catholic Legion of Decency, which deemed it "anti-Catholic."[3]

Plot

[edit]

During the Prohibition era in the Southern United States, the devout 13-year-old Lila Lee is summoned by letter to visit her injured father, a gangster, before he dies. She runs away from the Reverend who has raised her and in whose church she has become well known as a singer, though her extraordinary beauty is beginning to attract attention as well. Lila boards a bus to her father's purported location, the strange town of Astaroth. At the bus station, the ticket salesman informs Lila that the people there are strange, and that visitors rarely return from the town. That night, the bus Lila is riding, in which she is the only passenger, is attacked by a band of mindless vampires as it approaches the woods surrounding Astaroth. The vampires kill the bus driver, and Lila crashes the bus while attempting to flee. She is attacked by the creatures, but rescued by a mysterious woman named Lemora.

When she regains consciousness, Lila finds herself locked in a cottage outside a farmhouse, where she is tended to by Solange, an elderly hag-like woman who feeds her. Lila attacks Solange and escapes the cottage, fleeing to the farmhouse where she hides in a crawlspace. She hears her father's voice from inside the home, but before she can find him, Lila is confronted by Lemora, who informs her she cannot see her father until she is immune to his "disease." Lila finds that Lemora boards numerous other children in her home, all of whom, like her, are pallid and sickly in appearance.

It becomes evident that Lemora highly covets Lila, bathing her and attempting to soothe her. While alone, Lila is violently attacked by her father, who appears severely mutated. He attacks Solange, killing her, before Lemora chases him away with a torch. Lemora explains that some of the townspeople of Astaroth have become sick, and refers to an impending ceremony in which Lila will participate. After reading a diary of a child in Lemora's home, she soon realizes the truth: Lemora is a vampire who feeds upon children and is holding her father captive. She is also the unofficial queen of the Astaroth vampires, and plans to turn Lila into one of her own.

While trying to escape, Lila embarks on a nighttime journey through the town of Astaroth, witnessing the two types of vampires: one faction is like Lemora herself, relatively human in behavior and appearance, while the others are mutated or perhaps regressed, far more feral in behavior and monstrous in form; and the two groups are at war. Meanwhile, the Reverend, who is seeking Lila, manages to retrace her steps.

After a climactic battle which leaves most of the vampires dead, Lila is forced to kill her own father. As she weeps over his corpse, Lemora approaches her and offers her comfort by her vampire's kiss. When the Reverend shows up not long after, he finds Lila willing, even eager to kiss him. He resists at first, then he gives in. That is when she drives her fangs into his throat and drains his blood, watched over by a smiling Lemora.

In the last scene, Lila is seen singing before her church congregation.

Cast

[edit]
  • Richard Blackburn as The Reverend
  • Cheryl Smith as Lila Lee
  • William Whitton as Alvin Lee
  • Steve Johnson as The Ticket Man
  • Hy Pyke as The Bus Driver[4]
  • Lesley Taplin (billed as Lesley Gilb) as Lemora[4]
  • Maxine Ballantyne as Solange
  • Parker West as Young Man

Production

[edit]

Concept

[edit]

Lemora was conceived by former University of California, Los Angeles film students Richard Blackburn and Robert Fern.[3] Their main inspiration in making the film was Bob Kelljan's 1970 film Count Yorga, Vampire.[3]

Casting

[edit]

Smith, seventeen years old at the time of filming, played thirteen-year-old Lila Lee, her first major role. Writer-director Blackburn appears in the film as The Reverend.[5]

Filming

[edit]

Filming took place in and around locations in Pomona, California, including the Phillips Mansion,[1] which was used for the exteriors of Lemora's house, and the Bradbury Chateau Estate, where the interiors were shot. Additional photography took place at the San Dimas Hotel.[1] The Reverend's house was at Culver Studios, on what was once part of the exterior set for Mayberry on The Andy Griffith Show. Several of Blackburn's family and friends had roles in the production.[6]

Release

[edit]

Lemora had its premiere in Claremont, California, on April 30, 1973, at the Garrison Theater on the Scripps College campus.[1] The audience response at this screening was allegedly so poor that Fern and Blackburn quickly sought to sell the film and recoup part of the money spent to produce it.[3] Media Cinema Group purchased the movie, cut it from 85 minutes to 80,[3] and distributed it to drive-in theaters and local cinemas in the United States, opening in December 1974.[2]

Critical reception

[edit]

Lemora received mostly negative reviews upon its initial release, with some calling it "anti-Catholic".[3][7][8]

Author and film critic Leonard Maltin awarded the film a BOMB, his lowest rating, calling it a "Perfectly awful low budgeter."[9] Elvis Mitchell from The New York Times wrote, "Lemora wants to surpass the expansions on vampire film mythology that propelled the fecund, tightly wound horror movies from Hammer Studios. The film falls far short of its goals, but it is a classic of sorts."[5]

Modern assessment

[edit]

On the internet film review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds an approval rating of 86% based on 7 reviews, with a weighted average rating of 7.1/10.[10] On Metacritic, which assigns a weighted average rating to reviews, the film has a score of 49 out of 100, based on 4 critics, indicating "mixed or average" reviews.[11]

Barry Meyer from Film Monthly called Lemora "A real creeper", writing, "What makes this film work so well is that director-writer Richard Blackburn understands how to shock people with out exploiting the gimmickry of the genre, like so many other films of the era were so willing to do".[12] In 1992, film writer John Flynn noted Lemora as "an artistic offbeat vampire movie which recalled the best of Bava and Bunuel."[13]

Maitland McDonagh from TV Guide awarded the film 3 out of 5 stars, writing, "An art-house vampire movie with lesbian undertones, Richard Blackburn's debut film puts an ambitious and surprisingly effective spin on traditional vampire movie cliches."[14] Dennis Schwartz from Ozus' World Movie Reviews gave the film a B+, calling it "A haunting and intelligently accomplished work".[15]

Home media

[edit]

The film was released on DVD by Synapse Video on August 31, 2004. As of 2020, Synapse Films has declared that they have no plans to release the film on Blu-ray, despite showing a photograph of a 4K scan created five years earlier on social media.[16]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]

Sources

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[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Lemora: A Child's Tale of the Supernatural is a American independent written and directed by Richard Blackburn in his sole directorial effort. The film centers on a 13-year-old girl named , played by Cheryl Smith, who embarks on a journey to visit her dying father and becomes ensnared in a web of , , and moral corruption orchestrated by the enigmatic Lemora, portrayed by Lesley Gilb. Set in rural Georgia during the era, it blends elements of dark fairy tales with gothic horror, featuring dreamlike visuals, child zombies, and pagan rituals in the isolated town of . Produced on a modest with stylized and atmospheric cinematography, the film premiered at in April 1973 before being acquired and edited for wider distribution by Media Cinema Group, resulting in a runtime of approximately 85 minutes. Blackburn, who also co-stars as the lecherous Reverend Mueller, drew from influences like classic lore and critiques of , exploring themes of emerging sexuality, innocence lost, and the seductive pull of the forbidden. Supporting roles include William Whitton as Lila's father and as a menacing accomplice, with the cast delivering performances noted for their intensity in the film's eerie, ambiguous narrative. Upon release, Lemora faced immediate controversy, earning a rare condemnation from the National Catholic Office for Motion Pictures for its "weirdly erotic" depictions of lesbian vampirism and anti-religious undertones, which limited its initial theatrical run and led to years of obscurity. Over time, it has garnered cult status for its unique blend of horror and psychological depth, with critics praising its haunting imagery and thoughtful execution despite budgetary constraints; it holds an 86% Tomatometer score on from seven reviews, where reviewers highlight its nightmarish fairy-tale quality and boundary-pushing elements. Audience reception has been more mixed at 57%, appreciating its atmospheric dread but noting narrative inconsistencies. The film experienced renewed interest through releases and festival screenings, solidifying its place as a hidden gem in 1970s horror cinema.

Overview

Plot

Lemora: A Child's Tale of the Supernatural is set in the American South during the Prohibition era. The story centers on 13-year-old Lila Lee (Cheryl Smith), an innocent church chorister living under the guardianship of the local reverend (Richard Blackburn). Lila receives a mysterious letter from a named Lemora (Lesley Gilb), informing her that her estranged father, the notorious Alvin Lee (William Whitton), is injured and wishes to see her in the remote town of . Defying her guardian's strict rules, Lila sneaks out at night and boards a late-night bus for the journey to . En route through thick fog, the bus is attacked by vampires, who kill the leering driver (), and Lila is rescued by Lemora. reveals itself as a desolate, plague-ridden village where the residents exhibit a vacant, "Astaroth look," shambling like ghouls under Lemora's influence. Lila encounters the eerie, ritualistic behaviors hinting at a of vampires sustaining themselves through blood feedings. Exhausted and terrified, Lila reaches Lemora's decrepit Gothic , a of shadowy corridors and candlelit chambers. Lemora, a regal with pale skin and hypnotic eyes, welcomes her warmly, attended by a of spectral vampire children and her elderly servant (Maxine Ballantyne). Posing as a benevolent protector, Lemora bathes Lila, dresses her in finery, and introduces her to luxuries the girl has never known, subtly seducing her with promises of and power. However, Lila soon discovers the horrific truth: her father has been captured and mutated by the vampires. During a confrontation, he attacks her, and she kills him in . Lemora then transforms Lila into a vampire with a kiss, leading to a climactic battle where the clashes with the mutated villagers in the surrounding woods. Lila escapes the chaos but returns home fully embracing her new nature. In the finale, she drains the blood of Reverend Mueller and resumes in church, now as a .

Cast

The cast of Lemora: A Child's Tale of the Supernatural consists primarily of lesser-known actors whose performances enhance the film's eerie, dreamlike atmosphere through their unconventional and authentic portrayals. The underscores the story's themes of innocence confronting the , with principal roles centered on Lila's perilous journey from her sheltered life.
ActorRoleDescription
Cheryl SmithLila LeeThe 13-year-old protagonist, depicted as an innocent girl living with her local , whose wide-eyed curiosity leads her into danger.
Lesley GilbLemoraThe enigmatic queen who lures Lila, exuding a seductive menace beneath her gloomy, Gothic demeanor.
Hy PykeThe Bus DriverAn eccentric, oddball figure who serves as a quirky guide, transporting Lila toward the mysterious events.
William WhittonAlvin LeeLila's estranged father, a notorious bank robber and evading capture.
Richard BlackburnReverend MuellerThe Baptist who provides a moral, sheltered home for Lila in her small town.
Steve JohnsonThe Ticket ManA minor but pivotal early character involved in Lila's departure from home.
Parker WestThe Young ManA supporting figure encountered during the unfolding horror.
Maxine BallantyneThe Old WomanA cryptic supporting figure encountered during the unfolding horror.
Supporting roles, including villagers, choir members, and coven participants played by actors such as Charla Hall, Jack Fisher, and , fill out the eerie rural and settings without credited prominence.

Production

Development

Lemora: A Child's Tale of the Supernatural was conceived in the early 1970s by writer-director Richard and producer Robert Fern, both recent graduates of the UCLA , as a low-budget entry into the burgeoning genre. Inspired by the commercial success of (1970) and its sequel, the duo sought to craft a distinctive horror blending elements with a fairy-tale aesthetic, aiming for what later termed "artsploitation"—a fusion of artistic ambition and exploitation sensibilities. The script, written by Richard Blackburn and Robert Fern, centered on a young girl's perspective amid supernatural encounters, drawing from gothic literary influences to evoke themes of innocence corrupted by otherworldly forces. Key inspirations included Arthur Machen's The White People for its mythic folklore and ritualistic undertones, H.P. Lovecraft's The Shadow over Innsmouth for motifs of degeneration and hidden horrors, and Mervyn Peake's Boy in Darkness for ideas of devolution into monstrous forms. Additional touches came from Charles Laughton's The Night of the Hunter (1955) and Fritz Lang's Moonfleet (1955), infusing the story with religious allegory and moral fable elements rooted in vampire mythology. Blackburn incorporated these to create a modern adult fairy tale, emphasizing psychological dread over overt gore. Pre-production was handled under Blackfern Productions, the independent company formed by Blackburn and Fern to manage the venture. Funding was secured through modest private sources, keeping the budget severely constrained and necessitating multi-role involvement, such as Blackburn portraying the Reverend. Early targeted rural sites to mimic a Depression-era setting, with principal exteriors identified in the Pomona Valley, including a historic for Lemora's lair and surrounding woodlands for atmospheric sequences. Despite warnings against night shoots and period costumes for low-budget projects, Blackburn prioritized these choices to heighten the film's eerie, dreamlike quality.

Casting

The casting process for Lemora: A Child's Tale of the Supernatural emphasized naturalistic performances from inexperienced actors, aligning with director 's vision for an "artsploitation" that blended exploitation elements with artistic subtlety. Blackburn prioritized on-camera presence and authenticity over professional polish, conducting open auditions to find leads who could embody the story's dreamlike, fairy-tale archetypes without relying on established stars. For the lead role of the 13-year-old protagonist , Blackburn selected 18-year-old Cheryl Smith after reviewing numerous auditions; her innocent, unassuming appearance and natural delivery made her ideal for the character's vulnerable innocence, surpassing more experienced candidates whose performances felt overly rehearsed. Lesley Gilb was cast as the enigmatic Lemora due to her striking physical features and formal, somewhat stiff audition readings, which complemented Smith's organic style and enhanced their on-screen chemistry; although Gilb had limited prior acting experience, her commanding presence suited the role's otherworldly allure. Supporting roles were filled with a mix of acquaintances and unknowns to maintain the film's low-key, authentic tone. , a friend of from his UCLA theater days with an improv background in student films, was chosen for the eccentric role for his ability to deliver boisterous, improvisational energy on a tight schedule. Minor characters, such as the small-town locals played by unknowns, were hired to evoke genuine rural authenticity without drawing attention from the leads. The production's low budget posed significant challenges, restricting the team to non-union actors to cut costs and avoid guild fees, which limited the pool of available talent. Finding an age-appropriate performer for the adolescent Lila was particularly tricky, as casting a legal adult like Smith helped circumvent strict child labor regulations and potential exploitation concerns associated with minors in horror scenes, though it required careful direction to convey youthful naivety. No major rejections or last-minute changes were reported, but the financial constraints led to cast himself as to save on hiring fees. Blackburn's directorial input focused on fostering unforced portrayals, encouraging actors to draw from personal instincts rather than theatrical training; he provided minimal rehearsal for the sequences to preserve a sense of unease and spontaneity, believing over-preparation would undermine the film's ethereal quality.

Filming

for Lemora took place in early 1973 in Pomona and surrounding areas of . The production was completed over the course of approximately one month on a low budget. Key locations included the Phillips Mansion at 2640 W. Pomona Boulevard, which served as the exterior for Lemora's home, along with local roads for the bus journey scenes and a nearby for the graveyard sequences. Due to the film's emphasis on nocturnal horror, much of the shooting occurred at night, presenting logistical difficulties for the small crew. Director Richard Blackburn assembled a largely non-professional team, including friends and students, to manage costs, which led to on-set improvisations when issues arose, such as firing an disruptive mid-production. limitations also forced Blackburn to cast himself in the role of the Reverend to avoid additional hiring. The production relied on practical effects to depict vampire transformations and supernatural elements, with special effects supervised by Byrd Holland using makeup and atmospheric fog generated by machines. No major visual effects were employed; instead, the horror atmosphere was achieved through strategic lighting to create shadows and tension, complemented by sound design emphasizing ambient eeriness. The film was shot on 16mm stock to accommodate the modest budget. Editing occurred in following . The original score, composed by Dan Neufeld, incorporated somber, haunting tones with folk-like undertones to underscore the film's gothic and mood.

Release

Theatrical release

Lemora: A Child's Tale of the Supernatural had its world premiere on April 30, 1973, at in . Following the , the film underwent a limited regional rollout in the United States before achieving a wider national release on , 1974, handled by Media Cinema Group. acquired the completed post-premiere and edited it, shortening the runtime from 85 minutes to 80 minutes by trimming select scenes involving violence and nudity to obtain a PG rating from the of America. Marketed as a thriller, it targeted drive-in theaters and local cinemas, with alternate titles such as Lemora, Lady used in some markets to emphasize its horror elements. The release faced significant controversy when the National Catholic Office for Motion Pictures—successor to the Legion of Decency—condemned the film in 1974 as "anti-Catholic" due to its depictions of corrupt and rituals. This rating, the organization's most severe, highlighted concerns over the film's perceived mockery of religious authority and its blend of vampirism with sacrilegious imagery, impacting its reception in certain audiences. Despite the backlash, the theatrical run achieved only modest domestic returns with limited international distribution, including a release in in 1976 by Roadshow Films.

Home media

The film saw its first widespread home video availability in the United States through VHS releases in the 1990s, including a 1994 edition by Moore Video under the alternate title Legendary Curse of Lemora. These early tapes were often circulated in cult horror communities, with bootleg versions noted among collectors for their rarity and variable quality. The official DVD debut came via Synapse Films' special edition on August 31, 2004, featuring an all-region disc with an (1.78:1) presentation, by director Richard Blackburn, actress Lesley Gilb, and producer Robert Fern, a still gallery of rare on-set photos, and chapter selections. This edition utilized a new uncut, uncensored high-definition transfer from the original 35mm camera negatives, supervised by Blackburn, preserving the film's 85-minute runtime. As of 2025, no official Blu-ray or 4K UHD release has been issued, despite ongoing fan campaigns for upgraded formats and reports of a 4K restoration in progress since at least 2023. In the digital era, Lemora has appeared on streaming platforms on a rotating basis since the mid-2010s, including free ad-supported services like . Availability on subscription services such as has been intermittent, primarily in select regions, with no permanent 4K restoration announced to enhance these streams. Collector's interest has sustained demand for , with out-of-print DVDs fetching premium prices on secondary markets and limited-edition posters or art prints inspired by the film produced by outlets like Mondo. Bootleg VHS tapes continue to surface in niche horror circles, often as artifacts of the film's underground appeal.

Reception

Initial critical response

Upon its release in 1973, Lemora: A Child's Tale of the faced a predominantly negative , characterized by complaints over its low-budget execution and technical deficiencies. Reviewers pointed to excessively dark that rendered scenes nearly invisible and a hissy audio mix that obscured much of the dialogue, making the narrative hard to follow in initial screenings. The film's controversial depictions of religious figures and suggestive interactions between the vampire Lemora and the young protagonist Lila Lee drew sharp condemnation from the National Catholic Office for Motion Pictures, which issued an "O" (morally offensive) rating for its perceived anti-Catholic content and obscene undertones, severely restricting distribution and playdates. Common critiques also targeted the stilted , amateurish , and uneven pacing, with one assessment describing the hokey makeup effects and PG-rated scares as diluting any potential impact despite Lesley Gilb's menacing performance as Lemora. Rare positive notes praised the film's hallucinatory atmosphere and dread-inducing mood, though national press coverage remained sparse, confined largely to regional outlets.

Modern assessment

In the , Lemora: A Child's Tale of the has garnered renewed appreciation for its atmospheric and stylistic qualities, earning an 86% approval rating on based on 7 critic reviews as of 2025, with commentators highlighting its dreamlike visuals and nightmarish imagery. On , it scores 49 out of 100 from 4 critics, reflecting a mixed but acknowledging reception that underscores its enduring appeal among horror enthusiasts. The 2004 DVD release revitalized interest, prompting praise in horror publications for the film's gothic poetry and evocative Southern Gothic elements, which transform its low-budget constraints into strengths. In 2010s retrospectives, critics such as Dennis Schwartz lauded it as a "haunting and intelligently accomplished work," emphasizing its surreal tone and thematic depth in Lila's coming-of-age narrative, often interpreted through a lens of feminist undertones in her journey of temptation and self-discovery. By the 2020s, discussions in outlets like Screen Slate (2023) and podcasts have positioned it as an "underrated art-house horror," appreciating its moody, fairy-tale-like structure and innovative use of shadow and color. Modern assessments highlight a shift toward recognizing director Richard Blackburn's singular vision, which overcomes the film's modest production values to create a hypnotic, otherworldly experience often compared to David Lynch's for its blend of the mundane and the eerie. Blogs and interviews have also expanded on the cast, providing deeper insights into performances like Cheryl Smith's portrayal of Lila, filling gaps in earlier overviews with details on the ensemble's contributions to the film's intimate, unsettling dynamic.

Legacy

Lemora: A Child's Tale of the has cultivated a dedicated since its limited initial release, largely propelled by the 2004 DVD edition from Synapse Films, which marked its first widespread availability and introduced the film to horror enthusiasts beyond regional screenings. This accessibility contributed to its recognition as an obscure gem in genre circles, with outlets like Moria Reviews highlighting its dreamy narrative as a standout in low-budget horror. The film's status was further affirmed in 2019 when it received an "Apocrypha Candidate" certification from 366 Weird Movies for its surreal, atmospheric blend of and the , emphasizing its enduring appeal to fans of unconventional cinema. Discussions in podcasts such as the Legends of , featuring an with director Richard Blackburn from 2008, have underscored its surrealistic elements and thematic depth. The contributes to indie and subgenres through its fusion of aesthetics and temptation, as noted in genre analyses of atmospheric horror. Blackburn's directorial style in Lemora, characterized by dreamlike visuals and moral ambiguity, informed his subsequent contributions to horror, including acting roles in films like (1982), which shared its offbeat, subversive tone. Despite receiving no formal awards, Lemora frequently appears in curated lists of overlooked horror classics, such as those compiled by The Bedlam Files, praising its scarcity-driven allure and innovative storytelling. As of , the film continues to receive occasional festival screenings, maintaining its cult status without major new releases. At its core, Lemora delves into religious allegory, portraying vampirism as a for sin and within a repressive Christian framework, where the protagonist Lila's journey symbolizes the loss of innocence amid forbidden desires. This gothic fairy-tale structure, evoking through its woodland perils and seductive antagonist, critiques authority figures like the hypocritical , a portrayal that drew condemnation from the National Catholic Office for Motion Pictures for its anti-clerical undertones. Scholarly discussions in film journals, such as Offscreen, examine these themes through a Freudian lens, highlighting the film's exploration of sexual awakening and eternal life as subversive counters to religious . Co-writer Fern's uncredited involvement in production logistics, alongside his credited screenplay work, enriched the film's intimate, improvisational feel, filling gaps in its documented low-budget origins.

References

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