Dracula's Daughters: The Female Vampire on Film

by Douglas Brode (Editor), Leah Deyneka (Editor)

Almost as long as cinema has existed, vampires have appeared on screen. Symbolizing an unholy union between sex and death, the vampire—male or female—has represented the libido, a “repressed force” that consumed its victims. Early iconic representations of male vampires were seen in Nosferatu (1922) and Dracula (1931), but not until Dracula’s Daughter in 1936 did a female “sex vampire” assume the lead. Other female vampires followed, perhaps most provocatively in the Hammer films of the 1950s, ’60s, and ’70s. Later incarnations, in such films as Near Dark (1987) and From Dusk till Dawn (1996), offered modern takes on this now iconic figure.

In Dracula’s The Female Vampire on Film, Douglas Brode and Leah Deyneka have assembled a varied collection of essays that explore this cinematic type that simultaneously frightens and seduces viewers. These essays address a number of issues raised by the female vampire film, such as violence perpetrated on and by women; reactions to the genre from feminists, antifeminists, and postfeminists; the implications of female vampire films for audiences both gay and straight; and how films reflected the period during which they were created. Other topics include female vampire films in relationship to vampire fiction, particularly by women such as Anne Rice; the relationship of the vampire myth to sexually transmitted diseases like AIDS; issues of race and misogyny; and the unique phenomenon of teen vampires in young adult books and films such as Twilight.

Featuring more than thirty photos spanning several decades, this collection offers a compelling assessment of an archetypal figure—an enduring representation of dark desires—that continues to captivate audiences. This book will appeal not only to scholars and students but also to any lover of transgressive cinema.

Genres: Nonfiction, Horror

429 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2013

Reviews

[Lauren Patton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this was a pretty brilliant collection of essays. Each one held its own and the subject matter within vampires as characters was broad. Solid criticism that inspired me to watch or re-watch a lot of films.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solid essays on female vampires in film, with varying degrees of depth and insight.

[Kelly M Hunt · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting I got the book to read up on Theda Bara but it was a tedious read and I abandoned it. However, it is excellent for researh

[Sistermagpie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a collection of essays on female vampires in film in the 20 and 21st century. There was definitely some interesting things in them and they made me want to check out some of the movies mentioned that I hadn't yet seen--especially some of the Hammer ones. But I can't remember anything that really jumped out at me as such a new idea or an argument that really stuck with me.

But I think part of it is the subject--many of these characters are written for men according to male fantasies or fears. One of the more interesting points, in fact, was about how Bram Stoker's Mina was a "new woman" for her time--independent, intelligent and an equal to her husband--and she was often promptly turned into a damsel in distress in the movies.

[Rose · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some interesting essays on female vampires in film.