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William Crain sought to create a sympathetic character out of Blacula
Crain's take on horror villains.
Considered one of the most notable blaxploitation films, Blacula and its sequel, Scream Blacula Scream took the horror genre into a brand new direction. But while much of the horror genre aims to scare and terrify an audience, director William Crain sought to draw another emotion from those viewing his films: sympathy.
While not the director of the Scream Blacula Scream, Crain was instrumental in the character's development as the director of the original film, entitled, Blacula. In an interview with the Associated Press, Crain described the beginning of his journey as the director of Blacula, which began with him vehemently refusing the role until his agent managed to convince him.
Even then, Crain was still reluctant. "The tragic thing is that I drew the assignment because I am black," said Crain. "I would much rather have gotten it because of my abilities, rather than the color of my skin. But now that I've got it, I'm going to do the best job I can."
Prior to his work as a director, Crain also had an opportunity to direct The Mod Squad, though it didn't lead to any immediate long-term opportunities. "I finally was given a Mod Squad to direct," said Crain. "But I wasn't asked back, and I think that hurt me around town. Producers wanted to know. 'Why didn't they hire him again? For a year I didn't get work."
By the time Crain's break came with Blacula, it was well deserved. Not only was the film well-received by fans who discuss the movie to this very day, but it also takes an opportunity to use the film in the discussion of more serious topics, like slavery. It was Crain's goal not to just get his audience scared, but to get them to feel something.
"What I'm aiming for is sympathy," he said. "I remember seeing those mummy pictures when I was a kid and feeling sorry for Lon Chaney Jr. because he didn't want to turn into a monster."
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I'd been a fan of his ever since I was a kid and saw him in the original "Star Trek" episode "The Ultimate Computer" in 1966. I got to meet him in 1997 and was not disappointed; in person he was urbane, charming and a lovely man all round.
