Rickenbacker
11-08-2003, 11:09 AM
I always loved em! When I was a kid, I'd watch them on tv despite knowing I'd be terrified to go to bed that night.
There've been so many interpretations of Dracula & vampires over the past say, 70-odd years. Some more memorable than others. Got any favorites?
I hate to say it, but I never liked Bela Lugosi. His Dracula never scared me at all. I know he's probably considered THE Dracula of them all & I'll give him credit for being a groundbreaker. But because his Dracula has become so stereotyped, this is the one everyone imitates when they do a Dracula impression. The silly eastern European accent...
But the vampires that *did* leave a lasting impression on me are..
Christopher Lee (http://www.mckellen.com/images/misc/lrclee2.jpg)
I think Lee's Dracula films were the 1st to go for more realism & gore. A ton of sex appeal added to his Dracula movies. All those scantily clad English lasses. :D Very reflective of the sexual revolution era. But his Dracula was demonic. The red eyes etc. In fact all of the Hammer vampire films of the late 60s & early 70s are must sees. Even the titles sounded creepy! ("Dracula Has Risen From The Grave" et al)
William Marshall- BLACULA ('72) (http://www.burningclown.com/images/blacula.jpg)
Very 70s & dated, but still has scary moments. I think it was the 1st time a racial spin was put on the Dracula legend in movies. William Marshall's Dracula wasn't scary when he wasn't in vampire mode. He was likeable. But when he turned..! This one really scared me! I 1st saw it when I was about 7. I was at my aunt's house & I watched it alone in a room one night. I was leaning against a wall near a window that I thought was shut...until a commercial break. I looked & it was open! :eek:
Tom Cruise/Brad Pitt etc (http://www.ifrance.com/mbstarpages/miscellaneous/thumb_lestat_1.jpg)
INTERVIEW WITH THE VAMPIRE to me, was the most convincing vampire film. Maybe it wasn't for the very 1st time, but I think it was the best vampire film done from the vampire's point of view. In a very intimate way, for that matter. I can't believe this is almost 10 years old already. What a drag the 'Queen of The Damned" was so lousy. It coulda (& *should've*) been *so* much better. Anne Rice must still be ashamed.
Sharon Tate in '67 (http://www.asahi-net.or.jp/~hj7h-tkhs/picture_actress/tate_2.jpg) from THE FEARLESS VAMPIRE KILLERS. (written, directed & starring Roman Polanski) I hadda throw this one in cause she was the 1st sexy vampire I ever saw! :D It's basically a comedy but is mildly creepy in a quirky way. Tate was beautiful & it's scary & sad to know that Charles Manson's people murdered her...
Max Schreck- NOSFERATU (http://www.showbusinessweekly.com/images/197/feature/Nosferatu.jpg)
This one from the 1920s has it for eeriest Dracula to me.
Honorable mention for other good vampire flicks ...
"Count Yorga, Vampire"- Low budget, but surpisingly good early 70s flick. I 1st saw the sequel ('Return of Count Yorga') to this one as a young kid & it left a lasting impression. Vampires & hippies. I clearly remember seeing John Fiedler (http://www.columbo-site.freeuk.com/faces/johnfiedler.jpg) in it.
"Near Dark"- ('87) This one is really ominous & well executed. Great 'modern' vampire story.
"Fright Night"- ('85) Basically a teen vampire flick, but memorable. Lotsa comic relief. The vampire make-up in this one was great. Remember that wide mouth??! yeeesh!
"The Lost Boys" ('87)- Very 80s, hip, teen spin, though more serious than 'Fright Night'. Good fun!
"Salem's Lot" ('79)- The make-up is a rip-off of Max Schreck, but this is a good one. Gotta rent this one on Halloween or some rainy night! Creepy moments.
Bram Stoker's Dracula ('92)
Winona Rider & Gary Oldman. Before 'Interview' came along, this was THE ONE for me. And of the honorable mentions, this is by far the best. Great updating of the old book. It was so good to see Dracula finally updated & not see the ol' big black cape & medallion. Cool that they took the liberty to dismiss some old vampire clichés in this one.
"John Carpenter's Vampires" w/ James Woods.
Not the best I've seen, but I liked this a lot. If you're into vampire films, it has intense scenes. Funny how they took a jab at 'Interview.."!
There've been so many interpretations of Dracula & vampires over the past say, 70-odd years. Some more memorable than others. Got any favorites?
I hate to say it, but I never liked Bela Lugosi. His Dracula never scared me at all. I know he's probably considered THE Dracula of them all & I'll give him credit for being a groundbreaker. But because his Dracula has become so stereotyped, this is the one everyone imitates when they do a Dracula impression. The silly eastern European accent...
But the vampires that *did* leave a lasting impression on me are..
Christopher Lee (http://www.mckellen.com/images/misc/lrclee2.jpg)
I think Lee's Dracula films were the 1st to go for more realism & gore. A ton of sex appeal added to his Dracula movies. All those scantily clad English lasses. :D Very reflective of the sexual revolution era. But his Dracula was demonic. The red eyes etc. In fact all of the Hammer vampire films of the late 60s & early 70s are must sees. Even the titles sounded creepy! ("Dracula Has Risen From The Grave" et al)
William Marshall- BLACULA ('72) (http://www.burningclown.com/images/blacula.jpg)
Very 70s & dated, but still has scary moments. I think it was the 1st time a racial spin was put on the Dracula legend in movies. William Marshall's Dracula wasn't scary when he wasn't in vampire mode. He was likeable. But when he turned..! This one really scared me! I 1st saw it when I was about 7. I was at my aunt's house & I watched it alone in a room one night. I was leaning against a wall near a window that I thought was shut...until a commercial break. I looked & it was open! :eek:
Tom Cruise/Brad Pitt etc (http://www.ifrance.com/mbstarpages/miscellaneous/thumb_lestat_1.jpg)
INTERVIEW WITH THE VAMPIRE to me, was the most convincing vampire film. Maybe it wasn't for the very 1st time, but I think it was the best vampire film done from the vampire's point of view. In a very intimate way, for that matter. I can't believe this is almost 10 years old already. What a drag the 'Queen of The Damned" was so lousy. It coulda (& *should've*) been *so* much better. Anne Rice must still be ashamed.
Sharon Tate in '67 (http://www.asahi-net.or.jp/~hj7h-tkhs/picture_actress/tate_2.jpg) from THE FEARLESS VAMPIRE KILLERS. (written, directed & starring Roman Polanski) I hadda throw this one in cause she was the 1st sexy vampire I ever saw! :D It's basically a comedy but is mildly creepy in a quirky way. Tate was beautiful & it's scary & sad to know that Charles Manson's people murdered her...
Max Schreck- NOSFERATU (http://www.showbusinessweekly.com/images/197/feature/Nosferatu.jpg)
This one from the 1920s has it for eeriest Dracula to me.
Honorable mention for other good vampire flicks ...
"Count Yorga, Vampire"- Low budget, but surpisingly good early 70s flick. I 1st saw the sequel ('Return of Count Yorga') to this one as a young kid & it left a lasting impression. Vampires & hippies. I clearly remember seeing John Fiedler (http://www.columbo-site.freeuk.com/faces/johnfiedler.jpg) in it.
"Near Dark"- ('87) This one is really ominous & well executed. Great 'modern' vampire story.
"Fright Night"- ('85) Basically a teen vampire flick, but memorable. Lotsa comic relief. The vampire make-up in this one was great. Remember that wide mouth??! yeeesh!
"The Lost Boys" ('87)- Very 80s, hip, teen spin, though more serious than 'Fright Night'. Good fun!
"Salem's Lot" ('79)- The make-up is a rip-off of Max Schreck, but this is a good one. Gotta rent this one on Halloween or some rainy night! Creepy moments.
Bram Stoker's Dracula ('92)
Winona Rider & Gary Oldman. Before 'Interview' came along, this was THE ONE for me. And of the honorable mentions, this is by far the best. Great updating of the old book. It was so good to see Dracula finally updated & not see the ol' big black cape & medallion. Cool that they took the liberty to dismiss some old vampire clichés in this one.
"John Carpenter's Vampires" w/ James Woods.
Not the best I've seen, but I liked this a lot. If you're into vampire films, it has intense scenes. Funny how they took a jab at 'Interview.."!