Grampire

A Los Angeles teenager on vacation in New Zealand discovers his grandfather is a vampire.

Grampire, New Zealand, 1991

aka Moonrise

Murray Newey / Tucker Production Co. Ltd.
Director: David Blyth
Producer: Murray Newey
Associate producers: Brian Walden, Judith Tyre
Writer: Michael Heath
Director of photography: Kevin Hayward
Camera operator: Richard Bluck
Production designer: Kim Sinclair
Editor: David Hugget
Music: Jim Manzie, Pat Regan
1st assistant director: Simon Ambridge
2nd assistant director: Paul Grinder
3rd assistant director: Therese Mangos
Continuity: Pat Robins
Art director: Kirsten Shouler
Assistant editor: Philippa Anderton

With: Al Lewis (Cooger), Justin Gocke (Lonny), Milan Borich (Kanziora), Pat Evision (Leah), Noel Appleby (Ernie), David Weatherly (Sgt Dicky Ticker), Sean Duffy (Derek), Sylvia Rand (Cheryl), Phoebe Falconer (Tammy), Chris McNair (Ben), Ian Watkin (Father Vincent), Beryl Te Wiata (District Nurse), Alistair Douglas (Ghost Train Owner), Max Cryer (Compere)

35mm, 90 minutes, PG

A Los Angeles teenager on vacation in New Zealand discovers his grandfather is a vampire.

Lonny is a typical adolescent boy who likes sports all of the time, gross jokes most of the time and girls only some of the time. But this 12-year-old is also ripe for adventure. And he's got his ticket; a round-trip vacation from California to New Zealand for a long visit with his Aunt Leah, Grandfather Vernon T. Cooper, and his young friend Kanziora.

There, Lonny finds a soulmate in his mischievous, eccentric grandfather. And he's more than a little bit interested in Kanziora's sister Tammy.

But it's Kanziora's vivid imagination and head full of stories that keeps Lonny continuously entertained. For one thing, Kanziora suspects Coofer is a vampire. The boys decide to investigate. When they watch Cooger rise from his coffin, they're astounded. Later, after Cooger takes them on a wild midnight flying spree, the youngsters' fears turn into enchantment.

The boys discover Cooger is indeed a powerful vampire, but a well meaning one. Grandfather Vernon also needs their protection, particularly from those who would prefer to drive a stake through his heart than let him carry on with his harmless shenanagins. The boys loyally attempt to hide Cooger from his would-be assassins, particularly Aunt Leah's slimy boyfriend, Ernie Noad.

Lonny and Kanziora share the adventure of their lives. By the time Cooger departs for foreign soil where he can live happily with other blood diners, Lonny has discovered a magical and mysterious world, and has had a vacation unlike any other he will ever experience.

“This extremely original story is compulsive viewing from beginning to end. At first, the viewer doesn’t know whether the old man is a vampire or not, but, like the two boys, the audience soon realises that there is nothing scary about this particular vampire. Director David Blyth even states that films always give vampires a bad image; but then, films are not real, whereas dreams are. In a remarkable blend of horror and comedy, it is the comic tone which definitely dominates this film. The quirky vampire, a beautiful role by the well-known 81 year old Al Lewis of TV’s Munster Family fame, is not at all scary and inspite of his strange background, remains a loveable grandpa. The other roles are also extremely well played. Both boys are convincing, especially Justin Gocke (known for the American TV series The Love-Boat, The A-team and Santa Barbara), who looks like an up-and-coming young actor. Blyth has kept tight control of the story-line. Not once does the film stoop to overdone spectacle or platitudes and yet at the same time the characteristics of the horror genre are soundly present. In a series of short scenes, the largely nighttime adventures develop into a compelling and, for children, extremely intriguing film.” — Cinekid Film & Television Catalogue, Amsterdam, 1992

Screening: Grampire screened on 28 May 2008 as part of the Features for Kids Season.