I remember it like it was yesterday.  There I was in my room, happily threatening He-Man and his foot soldiers moments after capturing Castle Grayskull with Skeletor. The life of a 6 year old, so simple…so complex.  My sister was outside with friends, my Mom was out running errands, and my Dad was in the living room watching a movie. I tried and failed to convince my sister to let me play with her friends. They were threatened by my budding genius. Back inside the house, the loud volume of the television was comforting as it reminded me someone was nearby. There’s a simple rule as a kid – you want to be independent, but never alone. NEVER alone. That’s when the pink monkey with evil red eyes come out of the closet to dance for you.

I was in that happy place. My concentrated mind continued to dominate Man at Arms and others, when suddenly a disturbing sound startled me.  It was an eerie, almost jive talking voice. What was my Dad watching?! Dropping my action figures, I tip toed out of the room in the stealth way only a 45 lb kid can do.

My free flowing afro slowly made its way around the corner before my curious eyes followed suit. On the TV screen was another afro. But not one I’ve ever seen. It seemed to lift off the man’s head with an eerie delight. The widow’s peak stabbed like a knife towards his furrowed brow. His eyes were menacing. His nails too long. When I saw the fangs I froze in my tracks. Mouth agape and watery eyes; it was the end of my fun.

At the time, I had no idea what I had seen. My screams and cries only added to my wild imagination. This was by far the most frightening thing I’ve ever come across. The man I witnessed…the man my Dad was watching on Channel 5. This man only goes by one name. And his name is Blacula.

Let’s get one thing on the table — Blacula is no joke.  First of all, the poor guy gets the most unoriginal name. He has the right to be pissed from inception. It could have been worse, they could have called him JaBlacula. Second, read this brilliant synopsis on Blacula’s background:

In 1780, Prince Mamuwalde, the ruler of an African nation, seeks the help of Count Dracula in suppressing the slave trade. Dracula, who along with his other evils is revealed as a racist, not only refuses to help but also transforms Mamuwalde into a vampire (denigrating him with the name “Blacula” into the bargain) and imprisons him in a sealed coffin to suffer the un-ending thirst of the damned.  Mamuwalde’s wife Luva is also imprisoned but, not being a vampire, dies in captivity.

Like I said, Blacula is NO JOKE. The man was a Prince, but got hustled by Count Dracula. And to make matters worse, he gets transformed into a vampire? And named Blacula?!  You gotta feel for the guy. William Marshall — you’re the man!

So back to my story…

Me – 6 years old. Scared out of my mind of Blacula. Probably made my Dad feel bad for watching it (sorry Dad — now I get it!). Had to be consoled by my family.

Me – Present Day. Still haven’t seen Blacula (yet, waiting for my Dad to come over with a DVD). Still a big baby with truly scary movies.

On that note, enjoy the first full trailer of A Nightmare on Elm Street (remake).  When it comes out, let me know how it is. I’ll be plugging my ears hoping to drown out the sounds of Freddy.

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