Lemora - A Child’s Tale of the Supernatural: Streaming Review

[@KarlBunker]

"Imagination in service to an esthetic rather than a narrative." Good line!

[@garycook5071]

"Stylised or possibly cheap" - such a fine line

[@WaxWingedAvian]

You know what they say, Lemora, the merrier. Those people are wrong though.

[@TheMadAfrican1]

What a terrible shame that this director only did one film. I feel like he'd have really evolved and gotten better over time.

[@mborok]

I’ve loved Rainbeaux Smith ever since I saw her in the R-rated musical version of Cinderella, produced by Charles Band and directed by Michael Pataki (the voice of George Liquor on Ren and Stimpy). She has a natural way of acting that elevates anything she’s in.

[@TheRealNormanBates]

that has some really good songs in it too, like the "fairy godmother" "Grab It" song.

[@thhomasppp]

The director said that he was inspired by the HP Lovecraft story SHADOW OVER INNSMOUTH. Loved watching this when I was a kid late at night ! Thanks

[@stevencowie7151]

My last vhs purchase. It's a keeper in this house. See also Messiah Of Evil.

[@skylx0812]

They reviewed that last year. Good movie.

[@DuelFilms]

Been a huge fan of this unique film since I first saw it in the late 1970's. While certainly flawed, I greatly admire its' ambition. It creates a thick atmosphere of dread that is often intoxicating. Several years back, the Egyptian theater here in Hollywood, CA ran a pristine 35mm print of it with director Blackburn in attendance for a fascinating Q&A. Thanks for bringing back my memories of this film with your thoughtful review.

[@Eldritchfan]

I'll give it a view!

[@michaeloswald4849]

I was listening to this as background noise but Hy Pyke's voice peaked my attention.

[@alandhopewell]

Glad to see this review of one of my favorite vampire films.

[@alandhopewell]

I first caught this on late night tv in the late Seventies ( heavily edited, but still potent), and finally got it on DVD about ten years ago. Flawed, amateurish in spots, certainly, but suffused with that early Seventies low-budget surrealism that makes films like this, LET'S SCARE JESSICA TO DEATH, and MESSIAH OF EVIL such pleasures to watch. Robin, Merry Christmas to you, the Science Advisor and his Assistant, and all at DCR.

[@DarkCornersReviews]

Merry Christmas

[@GutMuncherZero]

I loved it years ago, I think the cuts probably improved it?

[@shannondore]

Wow! I forgot about this one. I saw part of it on TCM like a decade ago and fell asleep halfway through. I really need to rewatch it.

[@AnotherCanadianSenior]

“Neither earth nor ocean produces a creature as savage and monstrous as woman.” Euripides "Yeah, but without them, men would still be living in caves whose dirt floors are covered in empty pizza boxes" Me

[@skylx0812]

No rebuttal from Mrs. Ripides?

[@echopeakbicycling85]

And most would live contentedly with just that.

[@dannystaton5386]

Well merry Christmas to you 🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@toughbutsweet1]

I love this movie. It can be slow, but seeing it as a child I found some scenes horrifying and the sets are amazing.

[@markditoro8836]

The problem is that Lemora is the least charismatic vampire in screen history. I can't imagine her tempting anyone.

[@ashleys9397]

I have to agree with you on that. She lacks that special nocturnal "something" that makes for a truly seductive vampiress.

[@rychadelko]

I couldn't believe my eyes, Robin reviewing "Lemora"! This thing is just so little known. Anyway, love that movie. In some ways, it reminds me of Valerie and her Week of Wonders, one of my favourite films. Very gothic, very surreal.

[@countgeekula9143]

I really like this one. Far from perfect but the atmosphere and aesthetic definitely worked for me.

[@skylx0812]

Looks a little like the Foxfire books meets 70s Penthouse Forums.

[@davidlionheart2438]

You used the old woman saying "Fer a minute I thought yuz Mary Jo" as an example of the amateurish. I grew up in rural North Carolina around scores of old women who sound exactly like that.

[@rubberneckinc.8937]

Wow, Ms. Cheryl Smith has some A-list B-movies on her resume. Seems to be almost worth checking out

[@LouKiss]

I remember when this movie was "discovered" and got a vhs. Just remember being so bored by it. One of those endurance test movies for me.

[@trevordickson8617]

i was lucky enough to see Lemora at the cinema back in the 1980's I suppose. I loved it because it was atmospheric & scary as well as being quite unusual. It has always been obscure & remains so which is a shame. I think we miss a lot today with everything being watched at home on small screens. The cinema experience certainly makes horror movies much scarier. I was waiting for a long time for this to be available on Blu-Ray. We almost got there but it was cancelled at the last minute it seems. Anybody heard any news of another go at making a BR of this? Synapse Films announced quite a few years ago their intent to make a BR but that fell through. I had read the film was restored & ready for a BR transfer but I don't know what happened. I have seen footage that looks restored in the documentary 'Woodlands Dark & Days Bewitched (2021)'. It's obviously available to stream but I'm not interested in that. Who knows what's going on?

[@Guernicaman]

'Lemora' is one of those movies which, if re-written & paced better, could work well as a remake. I can see a studio like A24 remaking it.

[@thrashpondopons8348]

I want a story where you THINK someone's a Vampire... but the twist is they are actually a Werewolf! (Oh wait... even THAT'S been done!)

[@KRhetor]

I can best describe this movie as Night of the Hunter if Lilian Gish was equally evil as Robert Mitchum. Incidentally, Rainbeaux Smith was in one of my very favorite films, Massacre at Central High.

[@djkingcabernet]

Just watched in October which may incline me to like it more as it has a regional Halloween-themed carnival feel to it. This is fascinating for its dark and gothic fairy tale ambience, a good ten years before A Company of Wolves, but with a more American seedy atmosphere and a more pronounced lesbian subtext that gives it some grit to go along with all the blue lighting that makes you think this was filmed in the early 90s. But I like the dream-like narrative with an ambiguous ending, suggesting that even if it's all in Lila's head, by the end, she's decided, to quote a later film, to join the dark side and live deliciously. It is an obscure but fascinating film that deserves a broader audience.

[@monorocks8049]

I’ve always liked it but it’s far from perfect. Happened to be the last film shown on Oakland California station KTVU’s “Creature Features” back in the early 80’s.

[@davejackson9016]

When the budget's ten bucks and the vampiress sucks, that's Lemora...

[@rodneyanonymous666]

I love this movie and once got to meet the writer/director.

[@tomjohnson4922]

hmmm this looks interesting. I'll have to check it out.

[@4toes1nose]

Thank you

[@AndriannaZ13]

Great film!!

[@buzzawuzza3743]

If the moment ever comes in your life where you just can't watch a slow moving cheaply made horror film that moment is likely to come during this one.

[@skylx0812]

No more a that Lemora?

[@markiangooley]

I keep thinking Lemuria. Distracting.

[@malfeitor1349]

Maybe don’t think so much😊

[@brendan722002]

Lemora the Unblinked.

[@paulharries9558]

Did this inspire Resident Evil 8?

[@thribs]

I think Resident Evil 4 inspired Resident Evil Village.

[@bensneb360]

Interesting story, tell me Lemora about it

[@ashleys9397]

LEMORA is indeed a very mixed package. I've seen it three times, and I have to say that your criticisms pretty much mesh with my own assessment. The acting is substandard and as amateurish as a high school production of "Our Town"; the dialogue is heavy-handed and tin-earred; a few scenes veer off track into the realm of the ludicrous; and any narrative lapses are likely attributable to the original running time of 118 minutes getting trimmed down to a drastically reduced 80 minutes. So it's hardly surprising that at least one review summarized the effort as "failed art house horror". And yet the film clearly holds an evident appeal that transcends its obvious shortcomings, garnering it a reputation that's made it an object of ongoing interest among genre cultists and the more thoughtful movie critics. As noted, the limited budget is actually helpful in weaving a nice creepy atmosphere, creating an eerily surreal and dream-like ambience that can stay with a viewer. The erotic undertone is nearly palpable, with the mysterious presence of bewitched children suggesting some possibly illicit design. And the juxtaposition of death with sensuality runs as a thematic strain throughout the movie. I have to take issue, however, with the unconvincing ineptly made-up "beast men" who run interference at key points in the action; I can't tell whether they're supposed to be lycans or vampires or ghouls or something else entirely. The director might've considered seriously re-thinking the make-up effects. I think desiccated, worm-eaten, blank-eyed , pasty-faced, raggedly-ass , shuffling zombie-like minions would have been much better suited for this movie's creepily funereal tone. Here's an odd fact: LEMORA was condemned by the Catholic League of Decency, since re-christened the more important-sounding Catholic Film & TV Broadcast Review Board. I guess that means if you're a Catholic you run the risk of imperiling your immortal soul by watching this movie. Or something else just as bad.

[@peterbailey6930]

Hokie smokes Buwinkle.

[@echopeakbicycling85]

The protagonist's age is supposedly "13?" With today's headlines, this is a tough sell, Robin. But, going by comments, it's likely just me. Still, I may give it a look.

[@dawwe8869]

Eyy

[@ashleys9397]

Ehhhhhhhhhhhh....

[@NGMonocrom]

The reason for the 1 Star, and 5 Star reviews is simple.... It's a propaganda piece that attacks traditional American values. Ironically in some scenes there is true Art to be found. In others it is done so poorly that you'd swear two different directors, at different times, without being aware of each other; directed different scenes that were edited in together. The 5 Star reviews are from the LGBTQ+ community. The 1 star ones are from those who are sickened at the handling of how traditional values were portrayed. While attempting to show Lenore as a brave leader of a mistreated group of outcasts. Unintended, the director shows her as a very charming, insane, selfish, delusional leader of a dangerous cult. Especially at the end where it is clear that the young woman is only going to be used and emotionally abused by Lenore for a very long time to come. The ending was boringly predictable.

[@DanDoty-i5n]

Caught this film back in the 80's (along with CHILDREN SHOULDN'T PLAY WITH DEAD THINGS and GARDEN OF THE DEAD) . It felt long, drawn out and boring .

[@Karl-dg7rm]

Was that Ron Jeremy as the bus driver🤔

[@johnradovich8809]

😂

[@itowmyhome797]

Thank you