Dracula

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Cast & Crew

Bela Lugosi

Count Dracula

Edward Van Sloan

Prof. Abraham Van Helsing

Dwight Frye

Renfield

David Manners

John Harker

Herbert Bunston

Dr. Jack Seward

Frances Dade

Lucy Weston

Helen Chandler

Mina

Charles K. Gerrard

Martin

Tod Browning

Director

John L. Balderston

Writer

Garrett Fort

Writer

Dudley Murphy

Writer

Bram Stoker

Writer

Tod Browning

Producer

Carl Laemmle Jr.

Producer

Philip Glass

Original Music

Karl Freund

Cinematographer

Milton Carruth

Film Editing

Phil M. Friedman

Casting

John Hoffman

Production Design

Herman Rosse

Production Design

Charles D. Hall

Art Director

Russell A. Gausman

Set Decoration

Ed Ware

Costume Design

Vera West

Costume Design

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Critic Reviews for Dracula

Audience Reviews for Dracula

• Nov 29, 2017

  One of the problems modern viewers will have with Tod Browning's 1931 'Dracula' (ok, at least this modern viewer), unfair as it may be, is that countless versions of the vampire tale have been told over the decades, so quite a bit of the shock value is lost. This version is told in a 'right down central' type of way, and unlike some of Browning's other seriously creepy movies from this time period which I love, it's hard to imagine anyone being scared or feeling tension which watching it. Browning tries to give us the tinglies with various things like bugs crawling about in the beginning, but too many of his effects seem like comical parodies, such as a rubber bat dangled in the window more than once. Unfortunately, I would also put legendary actor Bela Lugosi's performance in this category. His demeanor and slow cadence with words doesn't produce the intended chills, and he's not helped by Browning's tight shots on him staring into the camera. We can recognize this film as the adaptation of the Bram Stoker novel that influenced so many which would follow and give it credit for that, but it's not such a great movie to pull others together for at, say, Halloween time. You can do better for horror/scary/creepy even in the time period.
  

  Super Reviewer
• Sep 13, 2016

  It knows how to create a very creepy atmosphere and benefits from a magnetic performance by Bela Lugosi, even though the movie didn't age so well (a deleted epilogue makes the last scene seem too abrupt today) and everything about it is more theatrical than realistic.
  

  Super Reviewer
• Sep 15, 2014

  Memorable for it's mostly dead right casting more than it's often dead wrong direction, classic Universal horror flick Dracula rightfully birthed a worthy screen legend regardless of sloppy flubs. Owing more to Lon Chaney than Bram Stoker, the story gives filmgoers the silent treatment more often than not. After all, director Tod Browning helmed the subtitled '20s gem The Unholy Three starring Chaney and had that very same acting royalty lined up for this Stoker adaptation before the actor died from lung cancer. True-blue Hungarian Bela Lugosi assumed the role and the rest is film history. Heavily accented and looking VERY Eastern European, he brought a menacing authenticity to the part even if he hardly matches the book's description of a gaunt bearded count. In this unrated horror classic, the ancient vampire Count Dracula (Bela Lugosi) arrives in England and begins to prey upon the virtuous young Mina (Helen Chandler). Actually, the film takes a lot of liberties (besides not taking an epistolary angle, the plight of daffy solicitor Renfield - not dashing solicitor Jonathan Harker - becomes the early focus), but the nips and tucks streamline Gothic terror to an appropriate degree given the rather Puritan era. And mind you, this is a pre-Code film! The graphic nature of Dracula is not the problem, however. Any bad blood gets spilled due to Browning. Given his often A-Grade horror pedigree (besides The Unholy Terror, The Unknown, and London at Midnight, he later helmed the excellent piece of shock theater called Freaks), much more was expected from his H'Wood talents. Continually seeing pieces of cardboard taped over bedside lamps to offset the studio lighting, for example, demonstrates a sloppy Devil-May-Care attitude that often kills the film's atmosphere. This is not to say that Dracula's not atmospheric, however. The low budget and early talkie parameters alone make the goings feel rather otherworldly and - cardboard aside - the shadowy backdrop sets an ominous tone. These proved to be the hallmarks of Universal Horror - Gothic horror tales that're oft-kilter casted and aesthetically dark in an age when movies were NEVER set entirely at night - and they started with this, a still impressive bloodless bloodletter. Bottom line: Vampire Bask
  

  Super Reviewer
• Oct 25, 2012

  Viewed today, "Dracula" is a huge bore that would remain forgotten to most if it weren't for Bela Lugosi's iconic performance. When it comes to the film's faults, Tod Browning is responsible. His clumsy direction results in poor acting, a sluggish pace and questionable shot composition. I respect the classic stature that "Dracula" has, but I suspect that the film is more known for its influence rather than actual content. I had a hard time staying awake.
  

  Super Reviewer