Dracula (1931) - Spanish Version

AKA:	Spanish Dracula

Release date:

1931 USA

Running time:

103' (cover 104') - Source: VHS (NTSC engl.) b/w

Rating:

US: NR

Main Crew:

Director: George Melford (The Cat And The Canary 1930; The Sea Wolf 1920)
Producer: Universal Pictures
Score: n/a
Writer: Garrett Fort / Baltasar Fernandez Cue (based on the novel by Bram Stoker
and the play by Hamilton Deane & John Balderston)
Director of photography: George Robinson

Cast:

Summary:

Dracula (Carlos Villarias) travels from Castle Dracula in the Carpathian Mountains to London to establish himself in respectable society by day and carry on his blood-lusting by night. However, he has not reckoned on Dr. Van Helsing (Eduardo Arozamena), who is aware of his vampirism.
This Dracula is a completely different vision of the horror classic. Cinematographer George Robinson's fluid camera work and a complex depth of focus create a menacing atmosphere. In addition, the sensuality of the vampire maidens adds an unexpected raciness to this timeless tale.

Note:

- Before the dubbing of Hollywood movies into foreign languages became the norm, it was common for studios to make two or more versions of a movie simultaneously. 1931's Dracula was the only one of Universal's horror films that received this two-for-one treatment: the English-language version was shot during the daylight hours, while, at night, the same script and sets were used for the Spanish version.
- Director George Melford did not speak or understand Spanish and had to work with his cast through translators.
- In 1989, horror-movie historian David J. Skal discovered the legendary Spanish-language version of the 1931 Dracula in Cuba.
- The sexual elements of vampirism are played to a greater degree in the Spanish version.
- Lupita Tovar (as Eva, Dracula's intended victim) was wooed by the Czech-born producer of the movie, Paul Kohner, and they married in 1932.

click here for filmstills (pictures from the movie)

Our Ranking

short review:

Filmed simultaneously (during nighttime) with the far more renowned English language version (featuring Bela Lugosi as Dracula), they used the same sets and the identical script. Although the divine Lugosi is the more impressive Count, this version is considered by many as the more chilling and evocative film. And I have to admit that they are right. The Lugosi version is definitely one of the genre highlights, but this one even tops it. Don't miss this one!!