Scream Blacula Scream

William Marshall's Blacula was always too dignified for the films around him, and the sequel finally hands him a co-star who matches the wattage. A resentful cult heir resurrects Prince Mamuwalde, who resumes his reluctant reign over the Los Angeles undead until Pam Grier's voodoo priestess turns out to hold the one thing that might release him. Marshall plays a vampire with real Shakespearean sorrow, which keeps hauling the picture up toward something better than its budget. Bob Kelljan, fresh off the Count Yorga films, handles the horror competently and lets his two leads carry the rest. Better than a Blacula sequel had any obligation to be.