Does a secret vampire underground society exist in Fresno?

Cleaning up my inbox this evening I came across an email I received back in June 2011 from a local paranormal investigator. In it they asked me if I had every heard of an underground society in the Fresno area that possibly had vampiric practices. The person also mentioned something about a door on Belmont Ave under the overpass that's east of Roeding Park and it being a possible entrance to an underground area where the society supposedly meets.

From the description they gave me the door is sometimes locked, but is usually left ajar. The investigator asked around and was told it was nothing more than a maintenance room but decided to investigate for themselves. They parked their car a bit away and walked to the door. Unfortunately the door was padlocked but the way the lock is set up you can somewhat squeeze in to have a look (if you look at the photo I posted you can see what the person meant). They were able to shine a light inside and saw a set of stairs going down and nothing that would portray the room as being something for storing maintenance supplies there.

The door to a secret undergound society? Or to a broom closet?

Now I wrote the person back but never received a response. Could the person be trying to pull a fast one on me? Perhaps. Or the conspiracy theorist would say the person who contacted me was "taken care of" by the underground society (I like to think they have their own version of Luca Brasi). But if that was the case, why not me as well? Most likely this was just some rumor the person heard and knowing that I like to keep track of all things strange in Fresno, contacted me to see if I knew of anything. And when I said I didn't, they probably lost interest in the subject.

But that doesn't mean there aren't secret societies in Fresno. There's a Freemason Lodge on Shields Avenue, and I believe there is also a Odd Fellow's Lodge in the area too. I know these aren't that secret anymore; but they still are clouded in mystery, especially the Freemasons. As for any vampiric secret societies in the Fresno area, I doubt they exist. But if they do, please feel free to have a member contact me. But just don't drink my blood. I imagine with the amount of nachos I eat it would be like drinking Tapatio.

A brief history of vampire movies

Bela Lugosi in his iconic role as Dracula.

Image courtesy of Wikipedia.

The guys over at the Dumbdrum recently asked me to attend a sneak preview of the remake of the classic vampire flick, Fright Night, and write a review for them. I thoroughly enjoyed it (you can read my review here) and it was nice to see an actual vampire flick for once given the recent crop of films that have been released lately (I'm looking at you Twilight). So that had me wondering, what happened to the vampire movie? How did it turn from something that terrified people to something that sparkled in the sun?

The first "official" vampire movie was the classic German film Nosferatu which was released in 1922. What some people may not be aware of is that this was an unlicensed version of Bram Stoker's Dracula (instead of Count Dracula, it was Count Orlok for example) and was so similar to the novel that Stoker's estate sued the filmmakers and won with all copies to be destroyed. Luckily in 1994 a team of European scholars were able to restore the film from five prints that had managed to escape destruction. Another interesting note is that instead of a stake through the heart it was sunlight that destroyed the vampire, a plot device which would later be influential on vampire films and was accepted as part of vampire lore.

The next vampire movie that set a milestone was Universal's Dracula in 1931. The iconic film stared Bela Lugosi and his portrayal is considered to be the definitive Dracula by both film lovers and critics alike. Lugosi had a powerful screen presence, even when he had no dialog audiences were still terrified of him. Unfortunately the role of Dracula led to typecasting for Lugosi. Even though he had success with an earlier stage carrier, the role of Count Dracula would haunt him for the rest of his life.

The character Dracula was used in several other movies in the 1930's and 40's. There was a direct sequel to Dracula, Dracula's Daughter (1936), with another sequel in 1943 called Son of Dracula. And even though the Count had met his apparent death in the 1931 film, he returned for three more Universal films: House of Frankenstein (1944) and House of Dracula as well as Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein (1948)which was Bela Lugosi's second and last turn at playing Count Dracula.

Dracula was introduced to a new generation in 1958 when Christopher Lee played the Count for Hammer Films in Dracula. It was in this film with the spectacular death of Dracula vie being exposed to direct sunlight that reinforced this part of vampire lore that was first introduced in Nosferatu. Christopher played the role in all but two of the seven sequels in the Hammer Film series.

Vampire films weren't just about Dracula, or were horror movies in general. A sub-genre of vampire films, distinct in their own right, formed their own niche. Beginning with the afore mentioned Abbot and Costello Meet Frankenstein, the vampire became a subject of comedy. Roman Polanski's The Fearless Vampire Killers (1967) was a notable parody of the vampire genre. Others like Vampira (1974). Love at First Bite (1979) and Mel Brook's Dracula: Dead and Loving it (1995) were other examples of vampire movies that had received the comedic touch. But it didn't stop there. Several vampire films shot in the 60's and 70's explored the topic of lesbianism. Blood and Roses (1960) was the first followed by the more explicit Hammer Karnstein's Trilogy which started with The Vampire Lovers in 1970. Lesbianism wasn't the only sexual topic as there were also several blaxploitation films made, most notably Blacula (1972) and Scream Blacula Scream (1973).

Cue the 1980's and vampire films returned to their original horror roots. Movies like Salem's Lot (1979), The Lost Boys (1987) as well as the original Fright Night (1985) were extremely popular and are considered cult classics of the vampire genre. The trend continued with Francis Ford Copolla's modern take on Bram Stoker's Dracula (1992), from Dusk Till Dawn (1996) and John Carpenter's Vampires (1998) continued the horror trend.

It was at this time that the vampire movie really started to incorporate romantic elements into it's story line. Copolla's remake had Mina Harker the reincarnation of Dracula's wife. Then there was Interview with the Vampire. Say what you want about it, but both Louis and Lestat were lovers. The film toned down their affair, but in the book it was obvious. Underworld (2003) also had romantic undertones as well. But the original novel by Bram Stoker had these same tones but they were more of commentary on the restrictions of the Victorian era when the novel was written.

Fast forward to the 2000's and there's a sudden shift in the tone of vampire movies. Gone are the elements of horror and terror that had been a staple of the genre for decades. The seductive characteristics were still there, but with the introduction of the Twilight it seems that vampires were no longer creatures or the night that were ruthless killers but troubled souls that sparkled in the sunlight (really?). I know there have been the more traditional vampire movies released this decade (Blade trilogy for example) but for some reason Twilight overshadows them all. Why is that? Is it due to numerous fans out there that scream at the mere mention of Robert Pattinson's name? Or is this the path the vampire genre is heading to? It seems there are clones of Twilight everywhere you look (books, TV series, etc.) and it's possible that there will be another movie out there that tries to mimic it in an attempt to ride it's coattails.

But I honestly doubt that. I don't thing there will be a bunch of Twilight clones out there. It's a fad. And as soon as the last one is released, people will forget about it. There actually have been some fantastic vampire movies recently. 2010's Let Me In was one of the best I had seen in years and I had recommended it to many friends who had been disenchanted with the whole vampire genre. And yes it's a remake, which I usually disdain; I really enjoyed Fright Night (mostly cause of David Tennant). Hopefully more films of this quality will continue to be released and continue the tradition of horror that was started nearly 100 years ago with Nosferatu.

The return to the Fright Night Scream Park

Remember how I had mentioned all the strange phone calls I had been receiving for the past week or so on the Weird Fresno hotline? A woman kept calling me and leaving cryptic messages about how she needed my help, but wouldn’t say what she needed exactly. Curiosity got the best of me and I finally called her back. Little did I know what a huge mistake I was making.

The woman had said she needed help with a haunting and that she wanted to meet me in Clovis. She gave me an address that was at the intersection of Shaw and Clovis Avenues. It should have rung a bell with me, but I blame the lack of sleep (created by 2:00 am phone calls from said woman) for me not picking up on things sooner. When I got there I realized the error in judgement I had made. I was at the Fright Night Scream Park.

A place I had promised myself that I would never visit again.

I was already there, so I grabbed my camera that I always keep in my car and walked towards the entrance. I was hoping this was still someone who needed my help, but at this point my gut feeling was that it was a trap. As I approached the front doors, they opened and out walked a pretty young, pale woman. She said she and the other “residents” were expecting me and was glad their little trick worked. At this point I knew I was screwed.

She beckoned for me to follow her in and she wanted to show me the upgrades they had made to the locale, stating that she was for sure certain that I would meet my demise there and join their ranks as one of the undead. Boy do I know how to piss someone off or what?

The first attraction we went to was Psychosis 3D. I figured if I could get through the creepy clowns right away then I’d be able to handle anything. You think I would have learned by now, but no. The clowns were way worse than last year, and of course they remembered me (Rule #31: never piss off a clown). I was able to shoot a bit of video; I apologize for the shaky footage as I was running for my life.

After that little sunshine filled trip to the crazy farm, my guide grabbed me and dragged me to the Necropolis. She told me it had been “revamped” and laughed. To me this pretty much meant I was screwed. Even worse was that this was where my guide “lived” and said she wanted me to join her there. I’ll be honest and was tempted as like I said she was pretty cute, but I avoided temptation and declined her offer. Which was probably a good thing.

After that little excursion through hell we went to what was now called Quarantine. Last year it had been called Desecration, but apparently some sort of virus outbreak had occurred and now they were all zombie cannibals. Oh good, I thought, cause regular cannibals aren’t bad enough. What I find humorous about this was the glee my guide had for trying to have me meet my demise. You’d think I’d somehow wronged her. But no, she just didn’t like me. This bit of video I shot proves that.

We finally got out of there and the Asylum was last on her list of places to kill me. And unlike my guide from last year, she went in there with me (I liked her, she had gumption). Yeah this was even more bat shit crazy than last year. I don’t want to give anything away, but whoever decorated that place has some serious issues. A little Prozac might help, just a suggestion is all. I was able to get some footage of the attraction, but the “guests” there weren’t too happy about this.

As I left the Asylum I head something that terrified me . Somehow the Fresno Beehive has teamed up with the Fright Night Scream Park to do a tweet up (or screamup as they called it). The event is on October 21, at 7:00 pm and ticket prices are half off what they normally are. But you have to RSVP to @FresnoBeehive to be on the list and follow @FrightNightSP (even the undead are on Twitter it seems). For more info I’m linking the page to the Beehive’s blog. Apparently there’s a pre-tweetup going on at Rio Grill in Sierra Vista Mall starting at 5:30. Most likely I will go as I want to see what the hell is going on. Well that and I want to see if the offer to join my now former guide there as a resident is still good or not. Hey, I can’t help it. As I said, she was cute and spoke with an accent.

And somehow I was able to make it through all four attractions yet again. I’d like to say it was because of my guile, wit, and charm. But we all know it was due to sheer luck. As I was walking out of the attraction (ok running like a scared little girl) I saw a familiar looking gentleman.

As an old school Michael Jackson fan I was glad to see him working again. Mr. Jackson was generous enough to give me several free one attraction passes to the Fright Night Scream Park (I don’t think this are good for the screamup as that’s a different event). I’ll be posting something mid week regarding giving away the passes. So stay tuned.

New Zealand man reportedly attacked by vampires

A New Zealand man claimed he was bitten by three people who allegedly drank his blood during a vampire-style attack in the dark.

Details of the bizarre late night incident on Mount Victoria, an unlit beauty spot that overlooks the capital, Wellington, emerged after two people appeared in court jointly charged with wounding with intent to render a man unconscious.

James Phillip Brooks, 22, and Xenia Gregoriana Borichevsky, 19, were both remanded on bail without entering a plea.

A warrant was issued for the arrest of a third accused, James Eric Orr, 19, who failed to appear at Wellington District Court.

The charge carries a maximum penalty of 14 years in jail.

It is believed the victim, whose name has been suppressed by the court, passed out after being bitten on the night of February 20.

Outside the court, Mr Brooks said he understood there was blood drinking during the incident but added: "That wasn't me.

"Do I look like a vampire? I'm out during the daytime," he told the city's Dominion-Post newspaper.

Mr Brooks, who has a number of facial piercings and a mohawk haircut, said: "I may look like a punk but I'm not a punk. I'm just different.

"Yeah, I bit a guy. He hit on my missus. My girlfriend and my mate were biting him.

"If I'd hit him, I'd have really hurt him, so I thought I'll bite him seeing as they're already biting him."

He said drinking blood "wasn't my agenda".

Police refused to discuss the case because it is before the courts.

Ms Borichevsky's bail conditions were relaxed by the court after her lawyer asked the judge to lift a night-time curfew on her.

Dr Marc Wilson, a senior lecturer in psychology at Wellington's Victoria University, who specialises in studying paranormal beliefs, said drinking human blood was "incredibly unusual".

He said human teeth were not designed for breaking skin and sucking blood.

"You could do it but you would have to really want to."

Original story can be found here.