Blacula (1972) Film Locations

Looking to retrace the vampire Prince Mamuwalde’s path through 1970s Los Angeles?

If you haven’t seen the film, put it on your Halloween watch list. After watching Horror Noire: A History of Black Horror on Shudder, I re-watched the film.

The movie stars the wonderful William Marshall (aka Dr. Richard Daystrom for Star Trek fans). He portrays the tragic Prince Mamuwalde. The Prince visits Count Dracula in 1780 wishing for assistance in stopping the slave trade. For his noble pursuit, the Count turns him into a vampire and locks him in a coffin for 200 years. The Prince escapes the coffin in Los Angeles of the 1970s and believes his wife Luva has been reincarnated as Tina Williams. Vampiric scuttlebutt involving the police ensures, and the movie ends with Tina dead and the Prince heading towards the sun to die.  As an aside, he is resurrected in the sequel, so no need to shed a tear.

The Prince’s coffin arrives in the Port of Los Angeles. On another sojourn for location visits, I’ll return to the San Pedro/Port of Los Angeles area to look for the berth.

Film Location Comparison Shots:

Andrews Brothers Warehouse

The coffin is picked and makes its way through Hollywood then ends up at this building near downtown Los Angeles. The building is the Barker Brothers Warehouses and Furniture Factory on South Hewitt and Palmetto Street. The building has been converted to lofts. You can see the Nate Starkman building (aka Paddy’s Pub from Always Sunny in Philadelphia) from this location. I found it amazing that the brick area around the door hasn’t changed since the 1970s.

Taxi Cab hits Prince Mamuwalde

6601 Sunset Blvd in Hollywood.

After stalking Tina, the Prince is his by a taxi. Most of this activity takes place on the side of the building on Cassil Place. I recognized the building from a prior walk around Hollywood. The underground steps and tunnel below Sunset have long since been covered up. But, the building looks pretty much unchanged. I’ve tried to do some research on the building, but besides the year of construction, I’ve come up empty. If you should know anything, please share.

Police Searching for Prince Mamuwalde

King Edward Hotel, 1221 E 5^th St, Los Angeles.

An easy find as the King Edward marque is clearly visible. Read up on the history of this hotel and consider stopping by at The King Eddy Saloon for a libation.

Tina’s Apartment

6501 Yucca Street in Hollywood.

This location was a no brainer as it has been listed on IMDB for some time. On a past Sunday, I took the Redline into Hollywood and with coffee in hand leisurely strolled over to the location for a couple pictures.

AFI lists the Hyperion Outfall Treatment Plan in Playa del Rey as a location for the final scene. On another adventure, I’ll head down and grab some comparison pictures.