Lugosi: A good actor? in Horror Film Stars Forum

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Lugosi: A good actor?

Author	Comment
strangenstein	Lugosi: A good actor?	Lead	[-]
Apr 8 12 1:21 AM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	For the past week or so I've been re-watching many of the Charlie Chan films, and last night it was THE BLACK CAMEL. I was struck by how natural and sincere Lugosi is throughout most of his scenes. I say that because I'm used to the bogeyman Lugosi, with the stilted delivery, leering eyes and odd hand motions. But this movie showed how smooth he could be, given the right part. What say you? Strangenstein
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Helrunar		#1	[-]
Apr 8 12 4:04 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Absolutely. Check out Lugosi in International House (1932) which shows how deft he was playing comedy, or Lugosi in Ninotchka opposite Garbo. It's not at all naturalistic, but I think Lugosi's performance as Ygor in Son of Frankenstein is one of his finest hours. Best, H.
jamesenstein31		#2	[-]
Apr 8 12 6:38 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	I think there was even subtle humor evident in WHITE ZOMBIE. Lugosi was capable of very good acting.
telegonus		#3	[-]
Apr 10 12 6:03 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Yes, Lugosi was a good actor. I've seen him do good work outside of horror. Once he donned the cape, though, he seemed to bring a touch of Dracula with him to nearly every role he played, with Ygor the great exceotion. Karloff was able to get away from his Frankenstein monster image fairly early on, while Lugosi's coffin seemed to follow hm around.
Shadow Chaser		#4	[-]
Apr 10 12 11:06 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	One role that I think Bela nails and is often overlooked, The Sayer of the Law. That as well as already mentioned roles above showed a fascinating range.
Rick		#5	[-]
Apr 10 12 11:13 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	With you on that one, SC. I've always thought Bela was sensational in ISLAND OF LOST SOULS. Another role, like Dracula, where his accent, oddly-emphasized English, and total commitment really worked like a dream.
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lencandraw		#6	[-]
Apr 10 12 11:37 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	I love Lugosi's Dracula in the Abbott and Costello movie. His delivery is much more natural and relaxed, but with the right amount of menace. I hypothesize that he was over the "saying his lines phonetically" thing by his first turn as Dracula in the movies, but probably repeated his stage performance through familiarity (when he DID had trouble with English). Anyone know more about that? Lugosi's performances ranged from weird to great, but served the films we love so well to a "T". A bad performance by Lugosi was still the best part of many a film he was in, such as THE APE MAN or THE CORPSE VANISHES. His best performances are nothing short of excellent. I like his smaller roles best. Along with Ygor and Dracula, I find his job as Joseph in THE BODY SNATCHER to be really good.
telegonus	Bela The Charmer	#7	[-]
Apr 11 12 1:21 AM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	A huge point in Lugosi's favor is his immense charm, especially when relaxed, not pushing too hard. He's such a strange mix of refinement, poise, sensitivity, the bizarre and the wounded, it's a pity he wasn't used to better effect as an actor, in non-horror roles, I mean. One is drawn to Lugosi. He's often a sympathetic presence even when playing a loon. In this, if in no other aspect of his screen personality he was, in my humble opinion, Karloff's superior.
Mora		#8	[-]
Apr 11 12 7:56 AM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Watch his comedic bits opposite Joe E. Brown in "Broadminded". Certainly showed that Bela had a flair for comedy. Heck, he even gets the girl at the end. I definitely concur with his role as Ygor, particularly in "SoF". He is so far removed from the suave but sinister Count Dracula that it's difficult to believe the actor we are watching is one and the same. From nobleman to rogue. I've always been vocal that Bela should have been nominated for a Best Supporting Actor Oscar for that role. He proved he was a great and talented actor with that unforgettable performance. I often wonder that had that nomination (possibly award) come his way, how would Bela's career have changed? One for the parallel universe.
Mora		#9	[-]
Apr 11 12 12:53 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Must insert an addendum to my statement about Bela's often questioned talents as an actor. Again: Compare his nobleman of Dracula, add to it his dignified portrayal of the sympathetic Dr. Verdagast in "The Black Cat", the obsessed Dr. Vollin, the kindly if arrogant Dr. Benet in "The Invisible Ray" . . . then move forward into the broken-necked shepherd Ygor. I maintain that's an actor performing at the top of his craft. Compare Bela with an actor generally regarded during that same period as one of the best: Paul Muni. I rather enjoy Muni, but no matter what role he portrayed - from Tony Camonte to Benito Juarez, I always saw the actor behind the characterization. Whereas Lugosi's most recognized persona was virtually nowhere in evidence when he played Ygor. Granted, he did do a lot of crap during the 40s, but Ygor stands as the ultimate testament to the man's genuine talent.
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Lugosi: A good actor?

Lugosi: A good actor?