Behind the Couch

1967 Dir. Roman Polanski AKA Dance of the Vampires The Fearless Vampire Killers… Or, Pardon Me, But Your Teeth Are in My Neck Polanski’s pastiche of Hammer Horror opens in familiar fashion: two eccentric ‘outsiders’ seek refuge at an inn inhabited by superstitious locals and an abundance of garlic bulbs hanging everywhere. The mere suggestion that these two inept gentlemen are searching for the castle of famed fiend Herbert Von Krolock is enough to frighten the simple townsfolk. The sort of madcap shenanigans that ensue set the tone for a film that, while largely a comedy, still manages to muster a sharp bite (sorry) and a dark edge. Polanski plays Alfred, the loyal yet bumbling assistant to vampire killer extraordinaire Professor Abronsius (Jack McGowern). Abronsius claims his ineptitude and incompetence is actually a wily foil to conceal his status as a legendary vampire hunter, tracking and destroying the Un-Dead. He's fooling no one. The duo are the Laurel and Har...