April 25- Bring a Smile to Count Yorga’s Fangs

I’m sure many of you horror fans recall two popular 1970s vampire flicks- “Count Yorga-Vampire” and “Return of Count Yorga”- which starred actor Robert Quarry as the Count. He also appeared in some cool fright films like “Zombies of Sugar Hill”, “Deathmaster,” and “Madhouse.” He even co-starred with Vincent Price in “Dr. Phibes Rises Again!”
Well, word has come down that, after some years of up and down health, Mr. Quarry, at age 82, has moved into the Motion Picture Country House- a community home run by the Motion Picture Fund, for senior actors and actresses, as well as behind the scenes personnel- it’s one of those fine places established to give back to the pioneers and laborers in the film business when they need help. Mr. Quarry is doing well in his new home, and happy to be there.
The bad news is- for many years, a “fan” ingratiated himself to Mr. Quarry, wormed his way into his confidence, and became a “personal assist” to him- and ended up draining his bank accounts, isolating him from friends and associates, and selling of his memorabilia –for mainly his own profit. Fortunately, this vile person was revealed for what he was- and “Count Yorga” is free of his influence- and scheming. The bad thing is- Mr. Quarry, now in his new home, was left with very little by this “leech.” Some of his true friends, like “2000 Maniacs” director Tim Sullivan, have established on-line registries where you can help Mr. Quarry out. If you are interested - just Google “Robert Quarry Registries”-and look for entries like “Robert Quarry Needs Your Help” or “Needs a Helping Hand”-for information- or, even just an address to send Mr. Quarry a note of support. One of the people who first told me about Mr. Quarry said that a sad part of all this is that Mr. Quarry has, after all this ordeal, kind of felt that he’s forgotten by the general public- so, dropping him a letter telling him you’ve enjoyed his work could definitely brighten up his day…or night, if he’s still in “Count Yorga” mode!
A final, less “happy ending” note- a helpful Sven fan, Dan of Chicago, sends word that one of Bela Lugosi’s last living co-stars has passed away…B movie actress Teala Loring who worked a lot in the 1940s, may times with the likes of the Bowery Boys and even John Carradine. Ms. Loring starred with Bela in “Return of the Ape Man.” Though her name may not be familiar, you might recognize her younger sister-Debra Paget (She starred in “Love Me Tender” and “the Ten Commandments” as well as genre stuff like “the Haunted Palace” and “From the Earth to the Moon.”) Does that make
Conrad Brooks Bela’s last living co-star? Although I don’t think he really had any scenes with the real Bela in Ed Wood’s
“Plan 9 from Outer Space”…)