Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Vampires... but were too scared to ask!

Folks have a fear and fascination with bloodsuckers like Count Dracula and Akasha, the ancient vampire Queen of the Damned and others, so, to celebrate Halloween I’m bringing in vampire expert Prof. Stanley Stepanic of The University of Virginia to, not exactly shed some light one the subject, because, according to lore, that might make the vampires burst into flames, but to give us a lively history of the undead.

To date he has published three textbooks that have been released in recent editions - these are "Dracula or the Timeless Path of the Vampire," "Russian and East European Film", and "Russian Folklore". His latest book, a novella titled “A Vamp There Was,” is set in 1920s Virginia, and looks at the vamp archetype… that of a desirable woman who manipulates men. A young man from Virginia investigates the secrets of her past and the devastating effect on the men who fall for her. 

Professor Stepanic teaches a popular class on Dracula at The University of Virginia which covers the history of the vampire from pre-Christian Slavic belief to the present and often appears on lists of students’ favorite University courses.

Then, at the end of the show I share a taste of an interview I did with director Matt Reeves. He’s directed movies like “Dawn of the Planet of the Apes,” “War for the Planet of the Apes” and “The Batman” with Robert Pattinson, but here we talk about his unique vampire film “Let Me In.” It’s a remake of a Swedish film, but unlike so many remakes, this story of a bullied young boy who befriends a young female vampire who lives in secrecy with her guardian, really works and is perfect Halloween viewing.

Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Vampires... but were too scared to ask!
Folks have a fear and fascination with bloodsuckers like Count Dracula and Akasha, the ancient vampire Queen of the Damned and others, so, to celebrate Halloween I’m bringing in vampire expert Prof. Stanley Stepanic of The University of Virginia to, not exactly shed some light one the subject, because, according to lore, that might make the vampires burst into flames, but to give us a lively history of the undead.
To date he has published three textbooks that have been released in recent editions - these are "Dracula or the Timeless Path of the Vampire," "Russian and East European Film", and "Russian Folklore". His latest book, a novella titled “A Vamp There Was,” is set in 1920s Virginia, and looks at the vamp archetype… that of a desirable woman who manipulates men. A young man from Virginia investigates the secrets of her past and the devastating effect on the men who fall for her. 
Professor Stepanic teaches a popular class on Dracula at The University of Virginia which covers the history of the vampire from pre-Christian Slavic belief to the present and often appears on lists of students’ favorite University courses.
Then, at the end of the show I share a taste of an interview I did with director Matt Reeves. He’s directed movies like “Dawn of the Planet of the Apes,” “War for the Planet of the Apes” and “The Batman” with Robert Pattinson, but here we talk about his unique vampire film “Let Me In.” It’s a remake of a Swedish film, but unlike so many remakes, this story of a bullied young boy who befriends a young female vampire who lives in secrecy with her guardian, really works and is perfect Halloween viewing.

Every week THE RICHARD CROUSE SHOW features in depth conversations with the actors, writers and movers-and-shakers who are not only part of pop culture but helping create the pop culture we enjoy. Recent guests include Fresh Off the Boat star Randall Park, comedian Greg Proops, Toy Story 4 star Tony Hale, Muppet master Brian Henson, Emily Mortimer, Woman Enough: How a Boy Became a Woman and Changed the World of Sport author Kristen Worley, superstar English novelist Ian McEwan, best-selling Black Leopard, Red Wolf author Marlon James and many others.

The Richard Crouse Show Podcast

Every week THE RICHARD CROUSE SHOW features in depth conversations with the actors, writers and movers-and-shakers who create the pop culture we enjoy. Recently Fresh Off the Boat's Randall Park talked about working as a barista while starring on a TV show. Best-selling Black Leopard, Red Wolf author Marlon James described why Miles Davis is an integral part of his writing process and  Woman Enough: How a Boy Became a Woman and Changed the World of Sport author Kristen Worley detailed how she blazed a trail for gender diversity in sport. Join Richard and his guests for relaxed,  revealing and in-depth conversations.

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