Blood of the Chupacabras
News 10 television reporter Jonathan Mumm is hosting a “one-night only” screening of his old-fashioned monster movie at the Crest Theatre, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, August 3. According to Mexican, South and Central American and Puerto Rican folklore, the “goatsucker” of the title is a vampire-like legend that preys on goats and chickens, but can develop a taste for humans. Mumm researched reported sightings of the creature and discovered it had become a cultural phenomenon inspiring T-shirts, songs, a dance and even a cocktail. Not a fan of today’s glut of sex and gore, he then wrote, directed and co-stars in a more humor-peppered than horrific “adventure thriller” about the spread of vampirism in which a lost gold mine (actually, Calaveras County’s California Caverns) doubles as lair for the beast and its “disciples.” The micro-budget affair was partially shot several years ago on 16mm by filmmaker John Jimenez as Mumm attempted to interest investors. The proliferation of less-expensive digital video finally gave the project a second life. Mumm armed news photographer Dave Novick with a Canon XL-1 DV and regrouped his predominantly local cast and crew to finish the project. Improvisation in the trenches included the cooking of oatmeal, tomato sauce and sawdust on an outdoor hibachi for use as bubbling lava.
