The Vampire (1957)
A small-town doctor accidentally becomes a monster in this lean, science-driven horror gem from the golden age of 1950s creature features.
The Vampire - Movie Information
- Original Title: The Vampire
- Release Year: 1957
- Directed by: Paul Landres
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Horror, Sci-Fi
- Age Rating (US): NR
- Runtime: 1h 16m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- Release Date (Theatrical): June 14, 1957 (United States - NR)
- Alternative Titles: Immer bei Anbruch der Nacht (DE), El vampiro (ES), Mark of the Vampire (US)
- Production Companies: Gramercy Pictures, Inc., United Artists
- Production Countries: United States of America
The Vampire - Plot
A small town doctor mistakenly ingests an experimental drug made from the blood of vampire bats which transforms the kindly medic into a bloodthirsty monster.
The Vampire - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and see the terror unfold in this 1957 horror classic:
A new kind of killer to stalk the screen!
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The Vampire - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Paul Landres
Main Cast
- John Beal
- Coleen Gray
- Kenneth Tobey
- Lydia Reed
- Dabbs Greer
- Herb Vigran
- Paul Brinegar
- Ann Staunton
- James Griffith
- Hallene Hill
Writers
- Pat Fielder
Producers
- Arthur Gardner
- Arnold Laven
- Jules V. Levy
The Vampire - FAQs
What is The Vampire (1957) about?
The Vampire follows a well-meaning small-town doctor who accidentally swallows an experimental drug derived from vampire bat blood. The drug slowly transforms him into a nocturnal predator, blending classic Jekyll-and-Hyde horror with 1950s science fiction. It's a tense, low-budget chiller that holds up surprisingly well.
Is The Vampire (1957) a traditional vampire movie?
Not quite. Rather than the supernatural Dracula-style vampire, this film takes a scientific approach — the transformation is triggered by an experimental drug, not a bite. It's closer to a Jekyll-and-Hyde story wrapped in vampire-movie clothing, which made it stand out among 1950s horror releases.
Where can you stream The Vampire (1957)?
You can stream The Vampire on several platforms, including Amazon Prime Video, Fandor, Philo, and Night Flight Plus. It's also available free with ads on Tubi TV, The Roku Channel, Cineverse, and Fawesome. Rental and purchase options are available on Amazon Video and Apple TV Store.
Does The Vampire have a Jekyll-and-Hyde storyline?
Absolutely — the Jekyll-and-Hyde parallel is central to the film. Dr. Paul Beecher is a respected, compassionate doctor by day who loses control at night after ingesting the bat-blood drug. The film leans into the tragedy of a good man destroyed by science, giving it more emotional weight than typical creature features.
Who are the main actors in The Vampire (1957)?
John Beal leads the cast as the tormented Dr. Paul Beecher, with Coleen Gray as Carol Butler and Kenneth Tobey as Buck Donnelly. Lydia Reed plays Beecher's daughter Betsy, and Dabbs Greer appears as Dr. Will Beaumont. Tobey was a familiar face in 1950s sci-fi and horror films.
Is The Vampire (1957) worth watching for horror fans?
For fans of classic 1950s horror and sci-fi, it's a solid watch. The film cleverly sidesteps supernatural clichés in favor of a science-gone-wrong premise, and John Beal delivers a genuinely sympathetic performance. It's lean at 76 minutes, atmospheric, and offers an interesting twist on the vampire genre.
Was The Vampire (1957) based on a book or story?
The screenplay was written by Pat Fielder and is an original story, not directly adapted from a novel or prior source. However, it draws heavily on the tradition of Robert Louis Stevenson's Jekyll-and-Hyde concept, transplanting that duality into a mid-century American small-town setting with a horror-sci-fi twist.
What are some movies similar to The Vampire (1957)?
If you enjoy The Vampire, check out Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956), The Invisible Man (1933), Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1931), Night of the Demon (1957), and The Tingler (1959). All share that same blend of science-gone-wrong dread and small-community paranoia that defines the best 1950s genre cinema.
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