DRACULA (1931, USA, 75m, PG) ****
Horror
dist. Universal Pictures; pr co. Universal Pictures; d. Tod Browning; w. Garrett Fort (based on the play by Hamilton Deane and John L. Balderston adapted from the novel by Bram Stoker); pr. Tod Browning, Carl Laemmle Jr.; ph. Karl Freund (B&W | 1.20:1 (original release), 1.37:1 (re-release)); m. Philip Glass (1999 release); ed. Milton Carruth; pd. John Hoffman, Herman Rosse; ad. Charles D. Hall.
cast: Bela Lugosi (Count Dracula), Helen Chandler (Mina), David Manners (John Harker), Dwight Frye (Renfield), Edward Van Sloan (Van Helsing), Herbert Bunston (Doctor Seward), Frances Dade (Lucy), Joan Standing (Maid), Charles K. Gerrard (Martin).
The ancient vampire Count Dracula arrives in England and begins to prey upon the virtuous young Mina. The original Universal horror shows many signs of its age – from its static stage play background, lack of musical score to build the tension and hammy acting – particularly from Lugosi in the lead. However, these faults have to be taken in the context of the history it helped create. Despite his sometimes overly mannered delivery, Lugosi does create a hypnotic spell over his victims and the audience. Frye gives the film’s best performance as Dracula’s mad fly-eating servant, his descent into which is set up in the opening sequence. The production design is truly gothic and helps create an atmosphere of unease. Much better was to follow, but this is still a historic moment in cinema history. Universal released a newly restored version of the film in 1999 that included a musical score by Philip Glass. The original “Swan Lake” music during the opening credits was removed. Followed by DRACULA’S DAUGHTER (1936).
