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Jan 26 12 10:06 AM
Jan 26 12 10:09 AM
todmichel wrote: I also know a lot of French moviegoers who think that Lugosi was generally a mediocre actor, only good in three or four movies. In fact, they classify him and Lon Chaney, Jr. in the same category.
"Physical Media: Alive and Well, Forever!"
Jan 26 12 10:17 AM
Joe Karlosi wrote: Despite what some critics or viewers thought/think, I'd say Bela Lugosi's iconic presence as DRACULA is safe and secure regardless. Second-class Carlos Villarias just ruins the Spanish Version for me. He's terrible in the film. And while I'm at it, the Spanish Version for all its impressive mood and ambiance is just as 'slow' as Browning's.
Jan 26 12 12:17 PM
Hunch and Judy wrote: Joe Karlosi wrote: Despite what some critics or viewers thought/think, I'd say Bela Lugosi's iconic presence as DRACULA is safe and secure regardless. Second-class Carlos Villarias just ruins the Spanish Version for me. He's terrible in the film. And while I'm at it, the Spanish Version for all its impressive mood and ambiance is just as 'slow' as Browning's.See...I wouldn't call him "terrible". I just think he was mis-cast and did the best he could in a role where he did not fit exactly. They would have been better off finding a gaunt, older fellow with a pointed beard more to the original novel. That would have been creepy!
Jan 26 12 12:45 PM
Jan 26 12 4:40 PM
Wich2 wrote: "Hooo - easy with dem chompers there, Carly!!!"
"Hooo - easy with dem chompers there, Carly!!!"
Jan 26 12 4:41 PM
Jan 26 12 4:56 PM
Jan 26 12 7:58 PM
todmichel wrote: Carlos vs. Bela? I'm just comparizing two characterizations. I'm not attacking Bela personally. His characterization is more "theatral" (sp?), and Villarias is a movie actor. It's just a question of personal taste in THIS movie. Generally, I love stage actors in movies. But I just prefer Carlos to Bela, in "Dracula".
But "the rest of the cinematic world" is already convinced at 85% at least that the Hispanic Dracula is better than the US version. As I already wrote, America is not the center of the universe and I really don't know anybody preferring the Browning version among all the people I personnally know and who are not Americans.
Jan 26 12 8:14 PM
todmichel wrote: Nothing hysterical in my appreciation of Villarias, I just think he was better and more convincing than Lugosi, and a more impressive vampire.
Jan 26 12 8:28 PM
Jan 26 12 8:43 PM
WaverBoy wrote:Apparently Melford told Villarius to imitate Lugosi's performance, and if true, I say his performance can't be fairly judged.
Jan 26 12 9:17 PM
bela lugosi wrote: Wow. So wait. I watched DRACULA when I was a little kid for the first time. It made a huge impression on me, and largely that was due to the mysterious, bizarre, macabre lead actor, the actor who ever since I have always thought of whenever I think of "Dracula" or even "vampires". Since that time, as I got older, I sought out other films by this strange and fascinating actor, Bela Lugosi. Now all this happened, I thought, naturally. But it seems I'm being told now that it's because I was born in America and this is why I was fascinated with this actor's compelling performance and why I think as I do? Get outta town!
Jan 26 12 9:21 PM
Rick wrote: Melford's other actors are not remotely near the silly vein that Villarias drinks from.
Jan 26 12 9:31 PM
Rick wrote: I don't know where Jean-Claude comes up with 85% but I assume it's just a theoretical number meant to indicate "a bunch." Immediately after the re-discovery and release of Melford's DRACULA, I think the overall reaction was pretty universally that it was better than Browning's. Maybe it was 85% in that first blush of enthusiasm. But it seems to me that the bloom is pretty much off that rose now that the newness has worn off. My best guess would be that the number of folks who prefer the Melford is still pretty sizable, but probably less than half. Amongst American fans, that is. On the continent... who knows? Personally, I'm gonna have to take another look at the Melford (some day). I was among those swept away by it when it re-appeared, but I'm now back in the Browning camp. But I'm not sure that my opinion hasn't swung too far back. Must refresh my feeble brain. (But I doubt that any fresh, clear-eyed reappraisal is gonna help Villarias' performance any. It's always gonna be pretty goofy.) '
Jan 26 12 10:27 PM
Jan 26 12 11:10 PM
jamesenstein31 wrote: It's ironic that horror fans are the harshest towards Dracula. How many critics have that one on their greatest films lists?
Jan 27 12 12:44 AM
Jan 27 12 3:01 AM
Wich2 wrote: >I've been somehow persuaded to think I was enthralled and impressed with Bela Lugosi's brilliance when actually it's just due to my nationality!<We just don't do ANYTHING right here in The States, do we GJS?
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