Celebrate Creativity

Carmilla and Countess Dracula


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Episode Seventy Two - Carmilla and Countess Dracula

This episode deals with two female vampires - one literary and the other a historical “monster.”  Carmilla, by Sheridan LaFanu, is frequently cited as the first lesbian vampire story.  And Elizabeth Bathory (largely because of her habit of bathing in the blood of young girls) has been suggested as a possible source for Bram Stoker’s Dracula.


  • Why is Carmilla called “the first lesbian vampire story?”
  • How is the story of Carmilla like Dracula?
  • Who is the most prolifice female mass murderer in history?
  • Why did Elizabeth Bathory bathe in the blood of young girls?
  • Why are some of the stories surrounding Elizabeth Bathory questionable?


  • 00:00 Introduction
  • 00:34 Request for email
  • 01:04 Carmilla (Introduction and Plot)
  • 03:50 Section from Carmilla
  • 06:31 Comparison of Carmilla and Dracula
  • 08:15 Countess Catherine Bathory
  • 10:02 Stoker’s notes on Bathory
  • 11:17 Some very “gruesome” exploits 
  • 14:54 Questionable stories and summary?
  • 16:20 Sources
  • 17:09 Future episodes
  • 18:33 Outro


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Celebrate CreativityBy George Bartley

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