Classic Horror Films - Day 3 (HORROR OF DRACULA - 1958)

A new breed of vampire film is ushered in with Hammer Film's lush take on the classic Stoker work. Christopher Lee assumes the role of the count and makes a strong and virile new Prince of Darkness. The story is the same as the countless other versions but there is an emphasis on the wanton lust and increased sexual passion. Lee's Dracula has a formidable foe in Van Helsing (played by Peter Cushing). There are ample beauties around too including Melissa Stribling as Mina and Carol Gaunt as Lucy. Lee and Cushing would return through-out the 60's and even 70's for several sequels but this is the one that works the best.

 Dracula making his move on some lovely...

 Van Helsing coolly going about his work...

I think the lady is a little perturbed...

Classic Horror Films - Day 9 (DRACULA - 1931)

After a harrowing ride through the Carpathian mountains in eastern Europe, Renfield enters castle Dracula to finalize the transferral of Carfax Abbey in London to Count Dracula, who is in actuality a vampire. Renfield is drugged by the eerily hypnotic count, and turned into one of his thralls, protecting him during his sea voyage to London. After sucking the blood and turning the young Lucy Weston into a vampire, Dracula turns his attention to her friend Mina Seward, daughter of Dr. Seward who then calls in a specialist, Dr. Van Helsing, to diagnose the sudden deterioration of Mina's health. Van Helsing, realizing that Dracula is indeed a vampire, tries to prepare Mina's fiance, John Harker, and Dr. Seward for what is to come and the measures that will have to be taken to prevent Mina from becoming one of the undead.

Bela Lugosi is Dracula in a commanding performance. His mannerisms and speech while some find distracting works for me as it makes his Dracula far different from other actors who have taken on this classic role. Dwight Frye is also good as Renfield and Edward Van Sloan is solid as Van Helsing. I was also impressed with actress Helen Chandler as Mina. I think she was very underrdated and never had the film career she should have had. Anyway this is a faithful and solid film adaptation of Bram Stoker's horror classic Dracula.

The Women of Hammer Films - Joanna Lumley

Most modern audiences know Joanna Lumley from her stint as Patsy on the hit British comedy series Absolutely Fabulous during the 90's. But Joanna has had an eclectic career before that series ever came about. For one thing she starred in The New Avengers in the mid 70's that teamed her up with Patrick Macnee. And while this incarnation of The Avengers never achieved the level of success of the 60's version nor did it catuplut Joanna into stardom like Diana Rigg, it did show Lumley had some skill. But the reason she is a woman of Hammer is because she appeared in one and only one of the studios production called The Satanic Rites of Dracula.She played Jessica Van Helsing, granddaughter of Professor Lorrimer Van Helsing (Peter Cushing). This character actually appeared in another Hammer film, Dracula A.D. 1972, but she was played by Stephanie Beachum. Joanna won the role this time out and while she doesn't get to kill Dracula, she does have a memorable scene in a vampire infested cellar. It's been awhile since I've seen this film, but I do remember it being passable entertainment. So for this week, Joanna is the Hammer Goddess and I will post pics and facts about her all week long.