Joe Downing, an actor known for his contributions to early crime dramas and exploitation cinema, appears in the gritty Each Dawn I Die (1939), where he navigates the harsh realities of prison life. His role in the 1973 film Blood showcases his versatility, as he delves into the darker themes of horror and suspense. Downing's performances reflect the evolving landscape of genre cinema during his era, making him a notable figure in the cult film conversation.
Blood
Set in 1883 Staten Island, Dr. Lawrence Orlovsky, his wife Regina, and their servants, strong-willed Carrie, legless Orlando, and deformed Carlotta, move into an old house after returning from Europe. Lawrence is a werewolf, the only son of the original Lawrence Talbot, and Regina is a vampire, the only daughter of Count Dracula. Lawrence tries to continue his research for a cure to his lycanthropy and for Regina's blood-lust by maintaining a garden in his basement filled with man-eating plants, fed by human blood. Meanwhile, Lawrence also must confront the crooked lawyer, Carl Root, who as been raiding the Talbot family legacy. Also, Carrie deals with the arrival of her younger brother Johnny whom she tries to keep her employers true nature a secret from him.
