BLOOD WORK: HALLOWEEN HORROR DAYS ~ DAY 30: DRACULA (1931)

Universal Studios and the horror genre in general owe much of their success and enduring legacy to two films in particular: James Whale's FRANKENSTEIN and Tod Browning's DRACULA. These two films, both released in 1931, laid the foundation for commercial horror films and helped build Universal Studios' empire. And it is only fitting that it is these two stories as few other horror stories have had such an impact on the world. The stories of Frankenstein and Dracula continue to endure and fascinate audiences today.

Tod Browning's Dracula was first, before James Whale's Frankenstein, but was far from the first film adaptation of Dracula. The 1922 German silent film, NOSFERATU, directed by F.W. Murnau holds the honor of being the first film adaptation. And while Nosferatu is the forerunner, Browning's film is quite different from Murnau's film. The most significant difference between the two films is in the depiction of the titular character. Bela Lugosi's depiction of Dracula is far different than Max Schreck's from Nosferatu. While it is arguable which performance is more effective, Lugosi's performance and image has proven to be, without a doubt, the more popular and recognizable Dracula depiction.

Lugosi had been playing Dracula in many stage productions as early as 1927 and lobbied to play the role for Universal Studios. And it is his performance which remains so powerful even today and undeniably influential on horror cinema and the actors and depictions to have come after. Without Bela Lugosi's incredible performance the horror boom of the 1930's and 40's may not have happened and Boris Karloff and James Whale may not have been given the opportunity to do Frankenstein.

THE PLOT

Renfield arrives at a small rural village along the Transylvanian countryside. Inquiring about a carriage to take him to the Borgo Pass, the locals stare with stark fear in their eyes. One of them tells him of the horrors that lay beyond the Borgo Pass, of the monsters that dwell in Castle Dracula. Renfield dismisses the warnings as peasant superstition and insists, for the sake of his business transaction, that someone take him to the Pass. Late that night Renfield arrives at Castle Dracula where bizarre and terrifying creatures await him. Upon meeting Dracula, Renfield discovers all the villagers had said to be true and he is made a slave to the Count. Together they leave for London, Renfield acting as an envoy, to unleash Dracula's undead horror upon an unsuspecting world.

WHAT I LIKED

Bela Lugosi. Often compared to one another, Boris Karloff and Bela Lugosi each have influenced horror cinema and horror in general beyond any actor before or since. It should be noted that Karloff's performance as the Monster relied heavily upon the iconic costume and make-up effects work by Jack Pierce. Not to discredit Karloff's uncanny acting skills but the make-up effects played a large part in the effectiveness of the character. Lugosi, on the other hand, had no such make-up effects. Dracula's effectiveness and power were carried solely on Lugosi's acting and performance. The eyes and expressions. The voice and the accent. The methodical movements. Had Lugosi's performance failed or a lesser actor been cast instead, the movie simply wouldn't work. It's not an exaggeration to say that Lugosi's performance was legendary and carried the film.

Supporting Cast. In the shadow of Lugosi's performance, sometimes overlooked as a result, are the actors Dwight Frye and Edward Van Sloan. Dwight Frye's performance as Renfield astonishes me ever time I watch the film. His transformation from mild mannered real estate agent to raving lunatic is incredible. While Lugosi is the epitome of power and darkness, Dwight Frye is the definition of fear. Frye is one of the most underrated actors of all time and his performance in Dracula is just as brilliant as Lugosi's, if not more terrifying at times. And then Edward Van Sloan as Professor Van Helsing is quite captivating too. His delivery of the lines and the way he holds himself creates mystery, intelligence, and confidence all at once. Van Sloan was so good in this role that he was cast in similar roles many times hereafter. Lugosi, Frye, and Van Sloan are far beyond any of their costars in this film and it shows.

The Sets and Imagery. Dracula and Frankenstein as well most of the Universal Monsters films from the 1930's and 40's are responsible for defining the "Gothic" horror iconography. Frankenstein has a few amazing sets and rear projection plates or matte paintings that showcase wonderful Gothic landscapes and sets. Dracula possesses several great scenes of Gothic imagery as well, some far more potent in my opinion. The opening act following Renfield through Transylvania and into Dracula's castle remains some of the most powerful Gothic imagery in cinema, in particular Castle Dracula. The sets, effects work, and live footage blend almost seamlessly creating a very convincing effect.

NITPICKS

An Uneven Cast. As stated above, outside of Lugosi, Frye, and Van Sloan much of the remaining cast pale in comparison. The other leads in the film, Jonathan Harker, Mina, Lucy, and Dr. Seward come across rather flat and when the movie shifts focus to them the pacing unfortunately drags. When compared with other Dracula adaptations, such as 1922's Nosferatu, the actress playing Ellen (Mina) brings far more power to her performance than actress Helen Chandler. This movie belongs to the three men listed above and no one else. The adaptation of Bram Stoker's novel is a little loose too, so don't depend on it when cheating on a book reading assignment.

THE VERDICT

The legendary Bela Lugosi classic, Dracula was responsible for starting the great horror boom of the 1930's and was the first chapter in Universal Studios' historic Monsters Collection. Bela Lugosi solidified himself as a horror legend with his incredible performance and, arguably, defined the character of Dracula for the world both then and still to this day. And he did it without make-up effects or a monster costume. Dracula was all Lugosi. Supporting actor Dwight Frye brings all his talent to the table as Renfield, displaying a character almost as terrifying a the titular villain himself. Wonderful effects work and set dressings establish some of the greatest Gothic imagery ever filmed. A true classic and essential horror viewing.

Overall Ranking: 10 out of 10

Ode to What Might Have Been

According to authors David J. Skal and Elias Savada's book DARK CARNIVAL: THE SECRET WORLD OF TOD BROWNING, when Tod Browning previewed his final cut of the film to Universal Studios' president Carl Laemmle, the president demanded the film be recut and reedited because it was too frightening. Apparently the version of the film we know today is the recut "less scary" version and actually introduced continuity errors into the film. Director Tod Browning claimed that the film's best work was cut from the finished product. Being almost 90 years old now, it is unlikely that Browning's original version of Dracula still exists, but if it does, myself and the world is dying to see it. I sincerely hope this version of the film does exist somewhere and will eventually be found and restored. Talk about "holy grails" of horror cinema, this might top them all!

This is interesting as Hammer's HORROR OF DRACULA was also subjected to reedits and censorship of its more extreme content too. Why? Why are Dracula films always made to suffer the censorship of the squeamish?