31 Days of Horror Reviews 2018: Dracula (1931)

It’s only fitting to begin this month of Universal Monsters reviews with the film that started it all: Dracula. Released in theaters on February 14, 1931 starring Bela Lugosi as the titular character and directed by Tod Browning.

Review 

This isn’t the first time I’ve seen Dracula, I viewed it five years ago and didn’t think highly of it; I found it boring overall, the actors were over the top with the exception of Bela Lugosi getting some really good moments, and the animal effects very hokey. But now that I’m older and actually viewed it with a more open mind, I can finally understand why this film has such high praise. There’s an eerie atmosphere that permeates the film from start to finish. Whether it’s the London fog at night, the howls of wolves or the deranged laughter of Dracula’s minion, there never seems to be time for the audience of 1931 to calm their nerves even when scenes take place during daytime.

What adds to the atmosphere is the absence of a soundtrack. Keep in mind that in 1931, sound in film was still new with The Jazz Singer being released only four years before Dracula, so the studio didn’t add in music because it was believed the audience wouldn’t accept music playing in a scene without a reason. it wasn’t until 1998 that the studio commissioned Philip Glass to compose a score and performed by the Kronos Quartet and released on the 1999 VHS. Subsequent DVD and Blu-ray releases would give viewers the option of hearing the unscored version or Glass score. Personally I prefer the unscored version.

Of course, Lugosi’s performance as Count Dracula is iconic and solidified him as the definitive Dracula. He has this amazing presence on screen when he enters the room and a hypnotic voice that lures you in. His slow speech pattern is instantly recognizable due to it being imitated and parodied numerous times over the years. I can’t remember where I read this, but Dracula’s style of speaking was described as “like a corpse trying to talk”, and that’s an on the nose description of it. And of course, we can’t forget Lugosi’s iconic stare.

Now even though it’s a really great film, it’s far from perfect. I think to really appreciate this film, one has to see it as a “work in progress” masterpiece when it comes to it’s contribution to cinema as a whole. When it comes to the editing, some cuts could’ve used two or three less frames such as Dracula’s reaction when seeing Renfield’s crucifix, but as I stated this is still early cinema. I won’t be too harsh on creature effects because this was Hollywood during the Depression and I’m not even going to nit pick the animals they used on set. However…

I can understand bats, spiders and even opossums, but why are there armadillos and WHY is there a BEE crawling out of a COFFIN IT’S OWN SIZE!!!??? I think even by 1930s Horror standards, that idea is laughable.

In conclusion, Dracula is a great film and a strong start for Universal Studios.