Director: Tod Browning.
Well, I'm back. Again. After another long hiatus I have returned to once again binge watch some horror flicks and write blog posts that nobody will read. I don't think this film needs much of an introduction. My choice of theme for the next few days is going through the old classic movie monsters, starting with the one who is almost certainly their President. The movie that put Universal on the map, the movie that made horror what it is...Dracula. So, let's do this.
I love the straight-forward nature of these old Universal flicks. The cinematography is just so direct, the acting so theatrical, and the sets so simple. I absolutely adore it. The story doesn't take much time moving forward, either. We have a carriage ride of frightened rich folks, Renfield wants to get to Castle Dracula despite the locals freaking out at him, and ushered off by the frightened Transylvanian prayers. Literally a second later, Browning just decides to outright show us that the locals are 100% correct: out comes the incredible Bela Lugosi out of his casket (along with his Dracubabes) in an amazing establishing shot.
Browning does an amazing job of providing contrast: bright sunshine in the village with darkness, oppressive fog and lots of dirt and creepy crawlies in Dracula's lair. It's so remarkably simple compared to today's films, but in context it's extraordinary stuff. Kind of dangerous for Dracula to turn into a bat and ditch the carriage, though: Renfield probably coulda died right then and there. But, I guess Drac does have magic or whatever on his side.
Man, the set of Castle Dracula is amazing. Huge cathedral like pillars, windows, hugely expansive stairwells...and Armadillos for whatever reason. Lugosi is incredible, too: such classic and iconic lines and moments. My absolute favorite gag ever, though, is Dracula walking towards the spider webs, cut to Harker, cut back and he's on the other side of the webs without disturbing them at all. Just an amazing gag. Add to that the classic "Children of the night" line and you have one of the greatest horror scenes in cinema history.
Cannot say enough about the old Universal set pieces. Such amazing set design.
I might have to seriously consider "Death by Dracubabe" as my preferred method of demise. Unfortunately, Renfield is unconscious at the time...and Drac stops them anyway. Bummer for Renfield. I'd prefer the Dracubabes. By the way, the Dracubabes are amazing: their faces are even almost obscured by their long, white gowns and the sparse camera work as they walk towards the fallen Renfield with short, predatory strides, their bodies hunched forward like Wolves circling fallen prey. It's an extraordinary moment.
Dwight Frye is amazing as Renfield. His transformation into a madman is so well done. That weird laugh and his wide eyes...creepy stuff. His hammy line reads about spiders and flies are so much fun.
There's an interesting amount of humor to Dracula's behavior when he gets off the boat: he literally does dinner and a show. Kills a poor flower girl (in a very creepy scene) and goes straight to the Opera. Lugosi balances menace and charm wonderfully. It makes sense to me that Lucy would be kinda into the guy...not just because of the charm and hint of danger, but also because he IS a Count. Not that it matters much, since Drac just lets himself in and takes Lucy out.
I feel like I need to yell "You know too much to live, Van Helsing" at someone (substituting Van Helsings name for whoever I'm speaking to, of course) at some point, probably sooner rather than later.
So many great scenes in this movie: Van Helsing visiting Mina, discovering that she's been bitten and then Dracula shows up and shows that Mina is totally in thrall...and Van Helsing notices that Dracula doesn't have a reflection. It's a fantastic scene. "For one who has yet to live a single lifetime, you are a very wise man, Professor Van Helsing." Edward Van Sloan does an extraordinary job as Van Helsing, especially as he gamely recounts all the Vampire lore for the audiences benefit.
Wait, did Renfield kill that Maid? We need some follow up on that. I guess we'd have to assume he does. He shows up later and they haven't mentioned it. Seriously, Dwight Frye is my favorite thing in the movie. Such an amazing performance. As great as Bela Lugosi is, Frye steals the whole show.
The showdown between Dracula and Van Helsing (where Dracula advises Van Helsing to take off) is a great scene. It's over the top, but the pair do an excellent job of threatening each other all manly like. It's a great hero vs villain scene: They threaten each other, Dracula tries to mind control the Professor, Van Helsing shrugs off Dracula's control.
I really like Helen Chandler as Mina, too. The scene where she stares at Harker's neck..."I love the night! It's the only time I feel alive!" And then she looks at him with big, crazy eyes...She's wonderful. Oh, wait, there's the maid. I guess she's okay.
Heh. Dracula just politely knocks on the window. What a classy guy. For a, y'know, murderous kidnapper and stuff. To be fair, though, Mina doesn't seem to really be complaining an awful lot. But she's probably hypnotized and stuff.
Another wonderful gothic set piece. Browning lets it fill the whole frame, too, with Dracula, Mina and Renfield all as tiny figures on the massive staircase. Renfield doesn't last long, though: poor dope leads the heroes straight to Dracula. Dwight Frye does a great job right up until the end.
Oh, Harker, you dope. Can't seem to figure any of this out. Van Helsing takes care of Dracula off screen, Mina ends up okay. Happy ending all around.
I love that Universal movies just end when the Monster is dead. No more story, so it's over. Fantastic.
Final Thoughts: What is there to say? It's an amazing flick and so very important to the history of the genre. It's not the first horror movie(though it's pretty close) but it's probably the most influential. There certainly wouldn't be a horror movie without it. Excellent stuff.
Final Rating: Five Stars.
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