1/12/2008
A quick note to mention the passing of Maila Nurmi- “the famed “Vampira”- one of the ORIGINAL horror movie hosts of the 50s. You’ve seen her as the wasp-waisted zombie in “Plan 9 from Outer Space.” She sued Elvira many years ago, feeling that she had ripped off her character. I’m proud to say I have a signed 8 X 10 of Maila- she will be remembered by the horror community!
Last week, we had “Son of Frankenstein”- so, this week, let’s switch families to the OTHER big name monster- and roll out “Son of Dracula” tonight at 9 (1 am on Me-TV!)We’re down in Louisiana (where the alligators grow so mean)- and the daughter of wealthy old Col. Caldwell is awaiting the arrival of a new “friend” she met while overseas-one Count Alucard (this was the first time that the “Alucard” gimmick was used in these films.)When the train arrives, and he’s nowhere to be seen- but several large boxes of his are unloaded- one nosy fellow begins to read the “Alucard” name on the crest backwards, just for fun- but is interrupted before he finishes and a complete idea has the chance to form in his little tiny brain. Later, at a party at the Caldwell mansion, the Count sneaks in to do away with the Colonel, and soon, there’s murder, betrayal, the usual bat transformations, and more-not to mention the bloodsucker taking a bride!
We get Lon Chaney Jr. as the Count this time out- most likely, the burliest Dracula in all Universal flicks. He also sports a little moustache, maybe longing for the days of his hairier role as the Wolf Man. This film also includes the transformation of the vampire from human form into a sort of mist, not to mention the sight of Dracula “surfing” across the surface of the bayou on his coffin (which is the basis for this week’s Sven song!)
You may also want to watch for the major mistake that happens early on- just as in “Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein,” we get the supposedly impossible view of a vampire’s image reflected in a mirror! We always wonder how the film’s crew could ever manage not to catch such an obvious violation of the very legendary lore that they themselves have been stating for so many years in so many films!
Some find Big Lon Jr. somewhat miscast as the Count, but I think he actually does okay- he’s very sedate most of the time, and there’s very little of his whining “Larry Talbot” persona in this role. Again, this is one of the films that helped Lon Jr. achieve the status of having played all the major Universal monsters- the Mummy, the Frankenstein Monster, Dracula- and, of course, the role he owned, the Wolf Man-who’s also coming up here on the Sven show.
And-get used to the wet bayou atmosphere- because, in upcoming weeks- things get wetter with the arrival of the next classic monster!
Last week, we had “Son of Frankenstein”- so, this week, let’s switch families to the OTHER big name monster- and roll out “Son of Dracula” tonight at 9 (1 am on Me-TV!)We’re down in Louisiana (where the alligators grow so mean)- and the daughter of wealthy old Col. Caldwell is awaiting the arrival of a new “friend” she met while overseas-one Count Alucard (this was the first time that the “Alucard” gimmick was used in these films.)When the train arrives, and he’s nowhere to be seen- but several large boxes of his are unloaded- one nosy fellow begins to read the “Alucard” name on the crest backwards, just for fun- but is interrupted before he finishes and a complete idea has the chance to form in his little tiny brain. Later, at a party at the Caldwell mansion, the Count sneaks in to do away with the Colonel, and soon, there’s murder, betrayal, the usual bat transformations, and more-not to mention the bloodsucker taking a bride!
We get Lon Chaney Jr. as the Count this time out- most likely, the burliest Dracula in all Universal flicks. He also sports a little moustache, maybe longing for the days of his hairier role as the Wolf Man. This film also includes the transformation of the vampire from human form into a sort of mist, not to mention the sight of Dracula “surfing” across the surface of the bayou on his coffin (which is the basis for this week’s Sven song!)
You may also want to watch for the major mistake that happens early on- just as in “Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein,” we get the supposedly impossible view of a vampire’s image reflected in a mirror! We always wonder how the film’s crew could ever manage not to catch such an obvious violation of the very legendary lore that they themselves have been stating for so many years in so many films!
Some find Big Lon Jr. somewhat miscast as the Count, but I think he actually does okay- he’s very sedate most of the time, and there’s very little of his whining “Larry Talbot” persona in this role. Again, this is one of the films that helped Lon Jr. achieve the status of having played all the major Universal monsters- the Mummy, the Frankenstein Monster, Dracula- and, of course, the role he owned, the Wolf Man-who’s also coming up here on the Sven show.
And-get used to the wet bayou atmosphere- because, in upcoming weeks- things get wetter with the arrival of the next classic monster!
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