“The Velvet Vampire” is a 1971 horror film directed by Stephanie Rothman. The film stars Celeste Yarnall, Michael Blodgett, Sherry Miles, Gene Shane, and Jerry Daniels.
The story begins with Lee Ritter (Michael Blodgett) and his wife, Susan (Sherry Miles), a young couple living in Los Angeles. They are approached by the mysterious and alluring Diane LeFanu (Celeste Yarnall) at an art gallery. Diane invites them to spend a weekend at her remote desert estate, which they hesitantly accept, intrigued by her enigmatic charm.
As Lee and Susan arrive at Diane’s luxurious and isolated home, they are struck by the eerie beauty of the desert surroundings. Diane is a gracious and seductive host, but the couple soon begins to notice strange occurrences and unsettling behavior. Diane’s house is filled with bizarre art and unsettling artifacts, creating a disorienting atmosphere.
Diane, who is revealed to be a centuries-old vampire, is fascinated by both Lee and Susan. She sets her sights on seducing them both, using her supernatural allure to manipulate their desires. Lee is quickly drawn into Diane’s web, while Susan becomes increasingly suspicious of their host.
As the weekend progresses, the tension between the three characters intensifies. Diane’s seductive powers grow stronger, and Lee becomes more enthralled by her. Susan, feeling isolated and threatened, starts to uncover the dark truth about Diane’s past and her true nature as a vampire.
Susan’s attempts to leave the estate are thwarted by Diane’s influence and the desolate, labyrinthine desert landscape. Diane’s sinister intentions become clear as she plans to make Lee and Susan her eternal companions, using her vampiric powers to entrap them both.
The film builds to a dramatic climax as Susan struggles to free herself and Lee from Diane’s clutches. With courage and determination, Susan confronts Diane in a showdown, using the power of daylight to her advantage. As the sun rises, Diane’s vulnerability is exposed, and she is ultimately destroyed by the sunlight, disintegrating into dust.
The film ends on a haunting note, with the desert landscape reclaiming Diane’s estate, leaving only memories of the horror that transpired there.
Director Stephanie Rothman infuses the film with a feminist perspective, subverting traditional vampire tropes and exploring themes of desire, autonomy, and power.
The Other Cinema 