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| Kay listens for Count Alucard |
I knew of the Dracula films (besides the ’31 film) in my
Legacy set, Son of Dracula would make
the October cut. I don’t regret my decision to feature certain films in
September as it did get my anticipation stirring. Son of Dracula always was a
favorite among the Dracula sequels. I just thought the fresh setting, primarily
in Dark Oats, gave it a uniqueness all its own. Anyway, Dracula takes a bit of
a back seat to the drama surrounding his chosen bride (or she duped him, as one
can say) and the old love she’s had since childhood. Dracula is spoken of at
great length by those associated with Kay and those revolved around her life,
but Chaney, Jr. dons the cape and foul disposition in brief stints. Lugosi he
is not, but I still think he’s fun in the role. If anything, Siodmak directed
with a sure hand at atmosphere and the characters react realistically to some
extraordinary events. And that final image of love tragically over aches the
heart indeed as a coffin burns.
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| Dracula commands and she obeys |
Hammer come up with some preposterous ways to bring back Lee’s
Count Dracula, but Taste the Blood of Dracula is quite almost head and
shoulders above them all. As Dracula turns to just blood (???) at the end of
Dracula Has Risen from the Grave, a buyer/seller collects Count’s cloak, signet
ring, clasp, and blood. A young man named Courtley who worships Dracula takes
his dried blood, mixes his own with it and drinks! Three men of privilege get
bored with their façade of respectability in front of society and go into the
red light district to live it up behind clothes doors at a secret brothel (the
pimp is portrayed as quite a dandy), encountering Courtley. Learning of his
Satanic indulgences, the three wish to potentially embrace the darkside. Well
drinking Dracula’s blood doesn’t exactly excite them. Eventually they lose
control and pummel Courtley until he’s dead, as Dracula emerges from his body anew!
The director incorporates dust as an effect but it really doesn’t enhance the
rebirth any. Seeing Dracula influence girls in the village he bites (the
daughters of the men who killed his servant) into doing very awful things
sadistically to their fathers is quite the highlight, I think.
Below are old reviews for both Son of Dracula & Taste the Blood of Dracula
Click
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