#208: Son of Dracula, Movies recommended or seen lately... les films a voir

Genre: Horror/Horreur

Annee/Year: 1943

Format: DVD

Son of dracula. Another Universal classic movie. This time Robert Siodmak a director of over 60 films in German and french and english takes a stab at the genre. He is very experienced and is a specialist of the film noir and suspense genre. However his result with a horror movie are questionable and not his best work.

Cast includes Lon Chaney jr whom we love as an actor. He plays here the role of count Alucard (Dracula spelled backwards). His performance although a good attempt fails completely at being scary. Lon is too much of a good guy to play Dracula. This new installment shows the count arriving in the southern USA for taking place in a new household through the influence he has on a lady which has an interest in the dark arts. Off course the local doctors will counter his efforts and chase him down to hi lair in a boat in the swamps. They kill him by burning his coffin and lair. Then comes the final showdown. Definitely one of the weaker films in the dracula franchise.
The sets are again interesting but the scare facto is definitely not there. The special effects are too much in your face and date now back over 65years so you can imagine. Just for the most died in the wool Universal addicts.

Son of Dracula. Le réalisateur Robert Siodmak qui a réalisé plus de 60 films dans les années 1920 à 1960 était spécialiste du film noir. Mais sa spécialité ne l'a pas aide dans son incursion dans le genre de l'horreur. Lon Chaney jr, acteur que l'on apprécie vivement, joue le rôle de Dracula (son fils du moins) mais cela ne colle pas. Lon est bien trop bon gars pour que l' on prenne au sérieux dans ce rôle.

Malgré les décors et images intéressantes de Universal studio, le film ne lève pas. L'histoire nous amène le vampire des Carpates jusqu'aux États-Unis. Sans doute le concept que les vampires peuvent se rapprocher de NOTRE monde pouvait être inquiétant pour les gens de 1943. Par contre pour nous... Le compte Alucard arrive dans le sud des US et conte s'installer dans une riche famille apres y a voir tue le père. Il marie (...) la fille et la succession des terres lui revient. Cette fille a attiré le compte dans ces recherches sur l' occulte. L'histoire se conclue avec les amis de la famille qui retrouve la tanière du compte dans un bateau échoue dans les marécages avoisinants et la brûle. La fin du film est un combat entre les deux partis. Chaney est décevant, mais le reste de l'histoire n'arrive pas à raviver notre intérêt. Pour les plus mordus des films noir et blanc Universal seulement.

Great quotes:

Harry [townsman bit]: How are ya, doctor?
Prof. Harry Brewster: Hi, Harry.
Frank Stanley: Hey, Charlie! Charlie, station agent: Hello Dr. Brewster, Mr. Stanley.
Frank Stanley: How are ya. Say, uh, those all the passengers you have? Charlie, station agent: Just the four.
Prof. Harry Brewster: You didn't put anyone off at the wrong station, did you? We're here to meet a friend of the Caldwells, a Count Alucard. Charlie, station agent: There was no Count on this train. All customers. Say - there was a lot of stuff in the baggage car that might belong to your Count.
Prof. Harry Brewster: Thanks, we'll take a look at it. Train Conductor Voice: [offscreen] All aboard.
Frank Stanley: [looking at a pushcart piled with trunks and cases] Well, does this look as though he's come to stay for just a couple of weeks?
Prof. Harry Brewster: No, it doesn't. I wonder what's become of him?
Frank Stanley: Probably coming by car. Don't worry, he'll show up.
Prof. Harry Brewster: [The Doctor moves close to the luggage, studies the name on a crest on a box which has been stacked sideways] D - R - A - C ...
Frank Stanley: What are you mumbling about?
Prof. Harry Brewster: Nothing, nothing. Just a silly idea hit me. Well, if there's no Alucard, there's no need of our staying around here. I've got to get back to the office.
[He leaves scene as Frank now looks at the sideways crest. Fade to black]
...
Sheriff Dawes: You mean, that's all that's left of Count Alucard?
Prof. Laszlo: Look at the ring on his hand. It bears the Alucard seal, just as on his luggage.
Sheriff Dawes: Well assuming it is Alucard, or Dracula, or whoever he calls himself - where is Frank Stanley? He's still wanted for murder.

Link: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0036376/maindetails

Rating perso: 5.0/10