DRACULA’S DAUGHTER (1936, USA, 71m, PG) ***
Drama, Fantasy, Horror
dist. Universal Pictures; pr co. Universal Pictures; d. Lambert Hillyer; w. Garrett Fort (based on the story “Dracula’s Guest” by Bram Stoker); pr. E.M. Asher; ph. George Robinson (B&W | 1.37:1); m. Heinz Roemheld; ed. Milton Carruth; ad. Albert S. D’Agostino.
cast: Otto Kruger (Jeffrey Garth), Gloria Holden (Countess Marya Zaleska), Marguerite Churchill (Janet), Edward Van Sloan (Professor Von Helsing), Gilbert Emery (Sir Basil Humphrey), Irving Pichel (Sandor), Halliwell Hobbes (Hawkins), Billy Bevan (Albert), Nan Grey (Lilis), Hedda Hopper (Lady Esme Hammond), Claud Allister (Sir Aubreys), Edgar Norton (Hobbs), E.E. Clive (Sergeant Wilkes).
This sequel to Universal’s 1931 adaptation of DRACULA commences where that film left off with Von Helsing (Van Sloan) arrested for the murder of Count Dracula. Dracula’s “daughter” (Holden) is still alive — and the Count’s death has brought her no closer to eradicating her vampiric thirst for blood. When attempts to free herself of the disease fail, she turns to psychiatrist Kruger for assistance, but soon finds herself struggling with her inner demons. The film lacks the gothic atmosphere of the original and underuses Van Sloan. Holden holds the screen well but there is little progression of the plot during the scenes in London leading to a rushed finale’s return to Castle Dracula in Transylvania. A nice touch is the humorous verbal interplay between Kruger and his secretary Churchill. Followed by SON OF DRACULA (1943).
