I closed out the Mystery, Murder, Monsters and Mayhem Film Festival with a screening of the Universal Pictures classic Dracula. Based on the novel by Bram Stoker and the play by Hamilton Deane and John Balderstone.
Dracula and 1922's Nosferatu are the basis for ever vampire film to follow. Bela Lugosi, who starred in the play, immortalized the count on film for all time. Even after 79 years the film still gives one the creeps and most of that is because of Lugosi's performance. he has a penetrating stare that his featured in close-ups many times. And his English as a second language style of delivery gave his line readings even more mystique. There are no on screen murders. There is no blood, no fangs and no close-ups of stakes going through chests. Special effects techniques in 1931 were just being developed. The film relies on the actors, set design and lighting to create a mood and creepy atmosphere. The film does not feature music score since matching up music and film was still difficult in the early days of sound pictures.Aside from Lugosi, another stand out in the film is Dwight Frye as Renfield. His portrayal as the raving lunatic with a taste for small insects is as creepy as things get.
Dracula remains true to the book and the standard vampire lore of transformation to bats, wolfbane as a deterrent, no reflection in mirrors, fear of the crucifix and avoidance of sunlight. The now classic line, " I never drink...wine" was new to the film, as well as the appearance of the count as a nobleman instead of a hideous creature.Dracula set the stage for multiple sequels and other Universal monster movies including Frankenstein, the Mummy and the Invisible Man. ironically, Lugosi, who is completely associated with the role only portrayed Dracula on film twice, in this film and in the comedy classic Abbot and Costello meet Frankenstein. In other Universal Pictures he was portrayed by John Carradine.
The film has some flaws. It lacks the gore modern audiences associate with vampire films. It is very stagy, more like a play than a film and the acting style has the sensibility of silent films which were being phased out at the time.
Universal also filmed a Spanish version utilizing the same script and sets. It has a very good reputation and is available on home video and will be screened at the Movie House sometime in the future.In 1998 composer Philip Glass recorded a score for Dracula. I tried watching the film with the score which I found quite good. But it also distracted from the film and I turned it off.
The vampire movie of all vampire movies and a perfect film for Halloween night.
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