We thought it would be appropriate to bring back one of the original classics of Universal horror-the movie that firmly affixed Bela Lugosi into our consciousness as Bram Stoker’s vampire count! Conducting the children of the night in the music they make, Bela stakes (sorry) his claim to his most memorable role in the 1931 original "Dracula"- augmented by a special musical soundtrack!
We join real estate solicitor Renfield on a bumpy journey to Transylvania ( one of his travelling companions is , in actuality, Carla Laemmle, daughter of Carl Laemmle, founder and head of Universal studios). Renfield is on his way to the castle of a certain Count Dracula to get him to sign the lease for Carfax Abbey in London. The locals get nervous just hearing where he is headed, and try to talk him out of it- but he continues on to meet with the Count- unaware of what is in his future !
Renfield meets the Count, and his overnight stay in the castle results in him falling under the spell of the Count. Completely under his control, out of his mind, and living only to do his bidding, he helps his master make his way to London- only to end up in Dr. Seward's sanitarium, while Dracula takes up residence in the abbey. He soon walks among the city’s people, from whom he claims some as his prey. On a night out on the town, the Count meets Dr Seward, along with his daughter Mina and her friend Lucy- both of whom will be victimized by the mysterious gentleman.
Renfield's strange behavior prompts the sanitarium staff to call in Professor Van Helsing to consult on his case- and the shrewd and learned man realizes that a vampire plays a part in the proceedings- and soon discovers just who that vampire is, and who else is endangered by his presence! Fearing that Mina is next in line, he enlists her fiancé, Jonathan Harker, in the battle to defeat this undead menace!
Bela Lugosi truly owns this movie, ably supported by Dwight Frye’s incredible performance as the deranged Renfield, joined by David Manners, Helen Chandler- and a man who appears in Universal’s original core of horror films- Edward Van Sloan. We'll talk all about the cast and the production, and, of course, provide Sven shtick- and, once again, we will be showing the version of the film we ran before, featuring the musical soundtrack that first accompanied the film on its French dvd version. The score, composed with stock library music, offsets some of the usual “film hiss” the original movie soundtrack featured with its lack of background music. The last time we ran the movie with this added soundtrack, the response was mostly positive, which is why we are repeating it. Honestly , at times, the added sound effects seem a bit overbearing, but we think this version provides an interesting viewing experience- especially for those of us who have seen the film in its original state so many times.
"Dracula" rises from his coffin tonight on MeTV-8pm eastern/pacific, 7 central, and, if you’re unsure about channel and time in your area, check your local listings or at www.metv.com . (Please be aware that MeTV has changed to a different channel in a few locations). Don’t forget that many fans are live-Tweeting during the show on Twitter, using the hashtag #svengoolie ! Meanwhile, in Chicago, viewers get one more “ghost viewer” look at William Castle’s original “13 Ghosts” at 11 am on the U- at its new channel location ( what was previously the UToo)!
Today, I’ll be appearing at the Elk Grove Village Library Comic Con ( very fitting since I’ll be in the pages of DC Comics in just a few weeks with our “Svengoolie Meets the DC Universe” chapters)- you’ll find information under the “appearances” tab here on our site. And- coming up next weekend- I appear at the New York Comic Con to promote the DC Sven adventure on Friday- then wing my way back to appear at the Saturday “Haunting in Hammond”! More Halloween season appearances are on the way- including a special event at Chicago’s Museum of Broadcast Communications honoring my 40 years as Sven anniversary- more info to come soon! Also- the final limited edition Sven anniversary shirt should drop on October 1st!
A brief salute to the late actor Sid Haig- known to many for his roles in Rob Zombie’s horror films, but actually, with a huge resume in films and TV shows. My brother, who lives near L.A., says he would often run into Sid at their local grocery store-and that he was always friendly and happy to chat with fans. I regret never having met him. May he rest in peace.
Please join us tonight on MeTV for what many consider the definitive “Dracula”- with special musical accompaniment!
1531 Comments
Maybe " son of a " triggered moderation and someone decided those were not the woids they were looking for.
I do not remember seeing The Son of Dr. Jekyll, so this should be fun!
then Son of Dracula,
Son of Dr. Jekyll,
Sanford and Son.
Son of Svengoolie!
Thunderhead, Son of Flicka
Son of a Sea Cook
Sons of Hercules
Sons of the Desert
Sons of the Pioneers
Concerning murder ballads, we have, somewhere stored, a bluegrass album that we inadvertently got about 1965, when my parents bought my late older sis an RCA "suitcase" stereo to take off to college. It came with a free album, and my sister picked out an Andre Previn album(she thought)as she always liked his movie themes, etc. I guess my folks didn't think much about the fact that the album wasn't wrapped in the normal cellophane wrapper, because when we got home and my sister got the record out to play, it wasn't Andre Previn, but an album by John Duffy and the Country Gentlemen. She was disappointed, of course, but they didn't take it back. Bluegrass was much more my dad's style, and soon to be mine.
Anyway, on the album is a song called Knoxville Girl, which is about a guy who kills his beloved for being unfaithful to him. It is really pretty gruesome for an era where folks didn't generally talk about such things-at least in polite company, as it describes how her blood ran all around, etc. When I was younger I didn't pay much attention to the lyrics, as I generally played other songs I liked more, but I started liking the song more when I got a little older. I was surprised at how "honest" the song was about such unpleasant passions.
The song turns up occasionally. I remember reading about a singer (for some reason I’m wanting to say Bob Dylan) that gave a solo acoustic rendition of it while performing in Knoxville many years ago, that just stunned the audience.
Interesting that you and your sister came across it, since you have family ties to this area.
While hunting, I learned the venerable folk music magazine _Sing Out!_ has moved into the innernetz age with a digital version, and that it has a regular feature, “Murder Ballad Monday.” Be still my heart! (In a good way, not a murder ballad way.) On top of that, Bob Dylan had a program, the _Theme Time Radio Hour_ from May 2006 to April 2009. On episode 20: "Musical Map," aired on September 13, 2006, Dylan included “The Tale of the Knoxville Girl” recorded by the Louvin Brothers. So, you see, it all goes in circles...
Renowned singer, Broadway performer, and TV Star. She was the first African American woman to star in a TV show as something other than a domestic role in “Julia”. She played a nurse and a single mother.
Didn’t know until reading The Hollywood Reporter story on her passing that her mother was a nurse. It probably helped her make her character more convincing.
A truly talented lady.
Flew in very fast 🦇
yay for us 😱
Nice fall day in the 70's
today 🦋
Have a great day🍃🎃🍃
everyone 🍁
See you later 🤖
However old it is, the plot runs like like a murder ballad until you realize that it’s about the sowing, harvesting, and brewing of barley to produce fortifying drink… unless it isn’t (reference and cue _The Wicker Man_)
John Barleycorn one of my favorites. Thanks!
