Drácula (1931)

Centuries-old vampire Dracula preys upon the innocent Eva and her friends.

Directors:

George Melford, Enrique Tovar Ávalos (uncredited)

Writers:

Bram Stoker (novel), Baltasar Fernández Cué (Spanish adaptation) (as B.Fernandez Cue.)

Stars:

Carlos Villarías, Lupita Tovar, Barry Norton

1 win & 1 nomination.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Carlos Villarías	...	Conde Drácula (as Carlos Villar)
Lupita Tovar	...	Eva
Barry Norton	...	Juan Harker
Pablo Álvarez Rubio	...	Renfield (as Pablo Alvarez Rubio)
Eduardo Arozamena	...	Van Helsing
José Soriano Viosca	...	Doctor Seward
Carmen Guerrero	...	Lucía
Amelia Senisterra	...	Marta
Manuel Arbó	...	Martín

Storyline

In the early days of sound, it was common for Hollywood studios to produce Hollywood foreign-language versions of their films (usually in French, Spanish and German) using the same sets, costumes and etc. Unfortunately, most of these foreign language versions no longer exist. The Spanish version of Dracula is an exception. In recent years this version has become more highly praised by some than the English language version. The Spanish crew had the advantage of watching the dailies from the English crew's version when they came in for the evening and they would figure out better camera angles and more effective use of lighting in an attempt to "top" it. As a result, this version's supporters consider it to be much more artistically effective.

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Plot Keywords:

dracula | vampire | character name in title | alternate version | universal classic monster | 

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Genres:

Drama | Fantasy | Horror

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Certificate:

Unrated

Did You Know?

Trivia

Although the Lugosi version is silent except for credits, this version uses the first few notes of Schubert's Unfinished Symphony each time Dracula rises from his coffin.

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Goofs

When Van Helsing is holding the wolfsbane, the close-up shows it in a different position in his hand than the wide shot. The shirt in the close-up doesn't match the wide angle either.

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Connections

Featured in Top 10 Lost Horror Films (2010)

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Soundtracks

Swan Lake, Op.20
(1877) (uncredited)
Music by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (uncredited)
Excerpt played during the opening credits

User Reviews

Atmospheric alternate version

This Spanish version of DRACULA is interesting and odd, running nearly a half-hour longer than the English version with Lugosi. It was filmed by Universal simultaniously with the Lugosi version, using the same sets but with a Spanish-speaking cast. The Lugosi version was filmed during the day, and the Spanish version was filmed at night.

Carlos Villarias is excellent as Dracula. There is more use of sound effects in this version, with doors creaking and other moody sounds along the way that are not in the English version. Also, the costumes for the women are more revealing.

Lugosi still has the upper fang as far as being ominous, especially with that one-of-a-kind accent. But Villarias does a great job as the blood-thirst Count, especially with the use of his eyes, giving a very spooky look to the old boy. This is an enjoyable alternative version of the venerable classic.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

Spanish Hungarian

Release Date:

24 April 1931 (USA)

Also Known As:

Dracula, Spanish Version

Filming Locations:

Universal Studios - 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$66,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Universal Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

104 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.20 : 1