"Dracula" Opened 95 Years Ago Today

Above, an original Dracula lobby card.

Did you know that Universal Pictures' Dracula (1931) starring Bela Lugosi, Helen Chandler, Dwight Frye, David Manners and Edward Van Sloan opened to theaters 95 years ago today?

Interestingly,  Universal first advertised 1931's Dracula as a love story when they opened it on Valentine's Day. 

Actor Dwight Frye (Renfield) gained movie immortality with this maniacal laugh:

A Spanish version was produced at the same time with different actors but with the same sets. Technically, many feel that the Spanish version was superior to the English (Lugosi) version. The Lugosi version was filmed during the day and the Spanish version was filmed at night. 

The movie ushered in Universal's monster movie franchises that are still popular today. 

Right Out of A Frankenstein Movie

Last evening, overnight and currently, we're having the most intense thunderstorm in quite a while.

It started during the evening after I got home from dinner in Gallup and it continued on and off overnight. It is currently doing so now. When I went to bed, the lightning seemed right out of a Frankenstein movie or even King Ghidorah in Godzilla movies.

For your entertainment, above is the creation scene from Bride of Frankenstein (1935).

According to the National Weather Service for Jamestown:

Overnight

Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 52. South wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Saturday

Scattered showers and thunderstorms, mainly before noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 71. South wind 5 to 10 mph becoming southwest 10 to 15 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Monster Centennials 8 Years From Now

Above, Boris Karloff as the Monster in a publicity still. Photo by Universal Pictures.

For tonight's New Year's Eve dinner movie, I watched the 1931 Frankenstein starring Boris Karloff, Colin Clive, Mae Clarke, John Boles, Dwight Frye and Edward Van Sloan.  It had been a while since I last viewed it.

Since tomorrow will be 2023, it occurred to me that the movie will be 92 years old as well as Dracula with Bela Lugosi, Helen Chandler, Edward Van Sloan, David Manners and Dwight Frye. 

Above, Edward Van Sloan and Bela Lugosi in a publicity still. Photo by Universal Pictures.

Eight years from next year, both films will be celebrating their centennials. Will Universal Pictures have any whoop-de-doos to celebrate? I'd imagine they will (well, there's money to be made). 

I guess I'll have to hang on for eight more years to find out.

"Frankenstein" Released 90 Years Ago Today

Above, Boris Karloff in his star-making role as the Monster. Universal Pictures.

It is interesting that a movie, a horror movie at that, is still thrilling audiences 90 years after its release, thanks to today's video technology.

Such is James Whale's Frankenstein (1931) starring Boris Karloff, Colin Clive, Mae Clarke, John Boles, Dwight Frye and Edward Van Sloan. 

The movie, an adaptation of a stage play based on Mary Shelley's novel, was released on November 21, 1931 by Universal Pictures.

Happy 90th Anniversary, Frankie!

Happy Halloween!

 The classic creation scene from Frankenstein (1931).

Lugosi's "Dracula" Hits 80!

Yesterday was Valentine's Day. Okay, so what?

Well, it was 80 years ago yesterday that Universal Pictures' Dracula starring Bela Lugosi, Helen Chandler, David Manners, Dwight Frye and Edward Van Sloan, opened in theaters around the country.

Although it may be "slow and creaky" (according to some, but aren't we all?) in its staging, the movie still holds up thanks to the acting, particularly by Lugosi and Frye. For better or worse, Dracula made Bela Lugosi a star.

I still enjoy watching it.