A desert retreat turns deadly when a seductive vampire sets her sights on a married couple.
THE VELVET VAMPIRE
She's waiting to love you... to death!
Sleepy-eyed nice guy Lee Ritter and his vapid, but pretty wife, Susan accept the invitation of mysterious vixen Diane LeFanu to visit her in her secluded desert estate. Tensions arise when the couple, unaware at first that Diane is in reality a centuries-old vampire, realize that they are both objects of the pale temptress' seductions.
Quick Answer
The Velvet Vampire is a 1971 American horror film directed by Stephanie Rothman about a mysterious, alluring vampire who lures a married couple to her desert mansion, where seduction and danger await.
Programmer's Pick
Stephanie Rothman crafts a sun-baked vampire tale where the real bite is in the sexual tension and shifting loyalties. Come for the desert gothic vibes, stay for Celeste Yarnall’s Diane—equal parts seductress and predator, who proves daylight is no protection from a femme fatale with fangs.
— SassyFlix Programmer
Overview
Details & Specs
- Director
- Stephanie Rothman
- Writers
- Maurice Jules, Charles S. Swartz, Stephanie Rothman
- Release
- 1971
- Runtime
- 1h 20m
- Country
- United States of America
- Language
- English
- Genres
- Horror
Why This Matters
Directed by Stephanie Rothman and cited as a cult film, this 1971 vampire movie stands out for its place in early 1970s American genre cinema and for its alternative title, Cemetery Girls.
Cast & Crew
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Why Cult
The film trades misty castles for an arid, sunlit mansion, bringing gothic horror to the American Southwest.
Diane LeFanu lures both men and women, making her a rare early example of a bisexual vampire on screen.
Expect female frontal nudity, sex scenes, and an erotic undercurrent that pushes the boundaries of early '70s horror.
Directed by Stephanie Rothman, one of the few women helming genre films in the era, giving a distinct perspective to both horror and desire.
Scene Gallery
Threat File
Invitation to Diane's desert mansion
Seductive vampire Diane LeFanu
Victims drained of blood, seduced, and manipulated
Secluded desert mansion
Questions from the Vault
When was The Velvet Vampire released? +
The Velvet Vampire was released in 1971.
Who directed The Velvet Vampire? +
Stephanie Rothman directed The Velvet Vampire.
How long is The Velvet Vampire? +
The Velvet Vampire has a runtime of 80 minutes.
What genre is The Velvet Vampire? +
The Velvet Vampire is a horror film.
Where can I watch The Velvet Vampire? +
The Velvet Vampire is available to stream on SassyFlix.
How does Diane, the vampire, manage to be active during the day? +
Diane uses dark glasses and wide-brimmed hats to shield herself, allowing her to venture out even in daylight.
Trailers & Clips
