Flashback: Dracula (1931)
The era of the Universal Classic Monsters started with the iconic Dracula—portrayed in an the equally iconic performance by Bela Lugosi. The film was an adaptation of the 1924 stage play by Hamilton Deane and John L. Balderston—itself adapted from the 1897 novel by Bram Stoker.
The film details the Count’s arrival from Transylvania to England, where he can prey upon the blood of his victims. When he meets Mina Seward, he plans to turn her into his Bride—unless Professor Abraham Van Helsing can stop him.
Although not the first horror movie from Universal, the success of Dracula paved the way for the rest of the Universal monster movies, including such staples as Frankenstein (1931), The Mummy (1932), The Invisible Man (1933), Bride of Frankenstein (1935), and The Wolf Man (1941). In 2000, Dracula was selected by the United States Library of Congress for preservation in the National Film Registry as “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant.”
In this clip, Van Helsing (portrayed by Edward Van Sloan) squares off with Count Dracula.
Here’s the documentary “The Road to Dracula,” featuring a behind-the-scenes look at the film, plus comments and tributes from a number of horror film makers and experts. This appeared as part of the Dracula DVD bonus materials.
In the latest episode of our show, we go over the uncanny similarities between the influential comic book legacy of the Fantastic Four and the monstrous (but beloved) television sitcom The Munsters!