An article in the 16 Oct 1963 Var revealed that producer David F. Friedman had abandoned the sex-film market in favor of graphic horror, often referred to as “gore” or “splatter” films. Friedman explained that the horror genre was generally accepted by censors, while pictures involving sex and nudity often required negotiations with censorship boards, and alternate versions that conformed to regional standards. His first horror picture, Blood Feast, was already released in some foreign markets, earning approximately $31,000 to date. Ironically, Blood Feast was banned by British censors, who previously accepted his sex films.
       Friedman’s partner in the project, Herschell G. Lewis , spent several months developing special effects in Chicago, IL, followed by twelve days of principal photography in Florida. The team also created its own formula for stage blood, which Friedman described as “bloodier than blood.” The film debuted at a drive-in theater in Peoria, IL, in Jul 1963, where patrons were supplied with plastic cups as vomit receptacles. The producer anticipated 3,000 available engagements for Blood Feast, as opposed to the 600 available for sex films. A novelization of the screenplay was scheduled for publication by Belmont Books in Nov 1963.
       The picture opened 29 Apr 1964 in Los Angeles, CA, and 15 Jul 1964 in New York City to scathing critical notices. The 2 May 1964 LAT review noted that end credits included an acknowledgement of the North Miami Beach, FL, police department.
       Later that year, the 31 Aug 1964 DV reported that the $40,000 production earned approximately $500,000 in gross receipts. ...