The Blood-sucking Vampire Of Croglin Grange (Press, 19 August 1978)

A wave of horror-themed entertainment has emerged in 1978, highlighted by the release of “Werewolves of London” on the radio, “The Incredible Melting Man” in cinemas, and the theatrical performance of “The Rocky Horror Show” in New Zealand. On Broadway, an updated revival of Bram Stoker’s iconic 1897 novel "Dracula" is drawing full houses, accompanied by a planned film remake directed by John Badham, known for “Saturday Night Fever.” This resurgence of vampire-themed horror is evidenced by a proliferation of related merchandise, such as Dracula dolls and Count Chocula cereal, which reflect a growing fascination with the genre among consumers. The article references the true tale of the Croglin Grange, a case predating Stoker’s work. The Fisher family's ancestral home in England, Croglin Grange, became the site of unsettling events in 1875 when Amelia Cranswell, who was renting the property with her brothers, experienced a terrifying encounter. On a balmy summer night, Amelia saw two blinking lights that approached her window, accompanied by a dark figure. The sinister entity appeared at her window, causing her to scream in terror. Her brothers rushed to her aid but discovered her unconscious, with bite wounds on her neck and shoulders. Reports indicated similar attacks in the surrounding area, indicating a pattern of horrifying encounters with an unknown attacker. After briefly recovering, Amelia and her brothers returned to the Grange in September 1875. However, in March 1876, the figure returned, prompting the brothers to pursue it after Amelia screamed, and Edward fired a shot. The mysterious figure fled towards a nearby cemetery, where the brothers led a group to investigate the subsequent morning. They discovered a mausoleum that was seemingly the figure's hideout, with barred gates suggesting it had been securely locked away. Upon entering the crypt, they were met with a gruesome sight: dismembered coffins, scattered remains, and a mummified body. The terrifying scene suggested that the entity was indeed a vampire. The men decided to eliminate the monster the following day, using traditional methods of vampire destruction, which included driving a stake through its heart and cremating the body. The body bore a bullet wound, leading to speculation that the creature had been injured by Edward's shot. Various theories have emerged about the true nature of what transpired; some believe the “vampire” might have been an escaped lunatic. An anonymous police inspector suggested that the creature was a sexual deviant who created the vampire ruse to elude capture. Overall, the Croglin Grange case combines folklore and chilling events, contributing to the evolving landscape of horror in popular culture during 1978, as represented by both contemporary adaptations of vampire lore and the enduring fascination with the macabre.

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