Movie Review: Dracula (1931)

Dracula (1931) directed by Todd Browning

The 1931 movie version of Bram Stoker's novel Dracula features the iconic performance of Bela Lugosi as the titular vampire. The performance seems riddled with cliches (the cape and overly formal eveningwear; the odd Eastern European accent (Lugosi was Hungarian); the bony outstretched hands; the blazing, penetrating eyes) except that this is the source of the cliches. In the 1930s, all of this was original, bizarre, and terrifying. Lugosi has a strong screen presence and can switch from suave to menacing with great effectiveness. He set the character in stone for everyone who came after him. Unfortunately, he became typecast--always able to get a job, but always the same job.

The other standout performance is Dwight Frye as Renfield, the estate agent turned Dracula's lackey. He vacillates between sanity and lunacy; loyalty to and betrayal of Dracula; desire for his own well-being and that of his "master." The performance looks over-the-top at times, but fits well into the expressionistic tone of the film.

The production's look is also very iconic. Dracula's castle and his home in England are rundown, cobwebby, and crumbling. Some of the sets are huge, with sweeping staircases dwarfing the characters. In a great scene, Dracula walks through the cobwebs covering a staircase while his guest practically has to beat away a spider to get through. Van Helsing's blend of scientific apparatus and folkloric resources makes a nice contrast to Dracula's elegant appearance and predatory actions.

The story moves along swiftly, almost too swiftly at times. The filmmakers assume a certain familiarity with the story and leave some things unexplained, like Dracula's wives at his Transylvanian castle who appear and stalk Renfield (who is the estate agent, not Harker) though they are never identified. They are certainly creepy. Lucy becoming a vampire and preying on children is barely mentioned and resolved so far off screen that it's easy to miss. I think the film still works, but it works much better if you have read the book.

This movie well deserves its status as a classic horror film. As a side note, the opening credits have ruined Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake for me, which I have always associated with vampires since I first saw this movie as a kid.

Highly recommended.