Blood for Dracula: “Virginity, Vampires, and the Velvet Underground” with Matt Harding (Severin Films)

This week on Morally Offensive, Bill and Cisco are joined by Matt Harding of Severin Films to unpack Blood for Dracula, the 1974 cult horror film that’s part vampire flick, part Catholic fever dream, and weirdly anti-communist.

Directed by Paul Morrissey (a devout Catholic and outspoken conservative) and presented by Andy Warhol, the film follows Count Dracula as he travels to Italy in search of a virgin bride, because, naturally, good Catholic girls are presumed to still be pure. We explore Morrissey's strange blend of conservative ideology and avant-garde aesthetics, his collaborations at The Factory, and his time managing the Velvet Underground and Nico.

This episode dives into the film’s bizarre politics, its critique of socialism, and how Catholic values, exploitation cinema, and vampire lore collide in one of the strangest art-house horror movies ever made.

Content Warning: This film includes disturbing content involving minors and sexual assault. Listener discretion is advised.

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