First Look: Mego Bela Lugosi as Dracula

[Gramercyplace]

This is an embarrassment of riches! All the images pouring in are unbelievable! Holy (insert expletive)!!!!!

[hedrap]

But none of the other figures we have seen in single cards have been alone, although there's no one else listed on the card. Still wondering if we might see more monsters, Universal or not.

I'd wager that's due to the license coming from the Lugosi estate which is separate from the Universal Monsters license. Karloff and Chaney are /were also separate. I don't remember if they struck a long-term deal with Uni for royalties.

[cdhall]

This is an embarrassment of riches! All the images pouring in are unbelievable! Holy (insert expletive)!!!!!

We live in interesting times!

[MRP]

This was one I wasn't expecting until folks started identifying the figures on the blurred pic form the FB page, and now that I have seen it, it's one I definitely want to pick up. I am no longer a "buy whole line, collect them all" kind of collector, I am a pick and choose the pieces that speak to me and excite me, and get them kind of collector now (for space and budgetary reasons) and this Dracula is one that speaks to me and excites me.

-M

[Type3Toys]

I am all over this!

[Earth 2 Chris]

I passed on the EMCE Dracula and stuck to the Flatt, but I'm getting this one for sure!

Chris

[scott metzger]

I'd wager that's due to the license coming from the Lugosi estate which is separate from the Universal Monsters license. Karloff and Chaney are /were also separate. I don't remember if they struck a long-term deal with Uni for royalties.

But does that mean they could do, say, a Karloff Frankenstein without the Universal license? Always been my understanding flat top, bolts in the neck Franky is a no-no without Universal's okay. That's why we had round headed, bolts on the face Franky in things like Monster Squad. Guess we'll have to see what, if anything, else is shown. Also, Mark of the Vampire may be under Warner's umbrella now or whatever is lrft of MGMi; I'm assuming the would have had to get permission from one them for this version, unless the Lugosi estate had a specific deal with them. So confusing...

[Earth 2 Chris]

Based on the logo, this looks to be licensed directly from Bela Jr., and based more on the play, just like the Flatt Dracula, and several other products.. Universal probably isn't involved at all.

And I don't think the Karloff and Chaney estates can release any Frankenstein Monster or Wolfman products without Universal, since they still own the Jack Pierce makeup designs. Karloff estate could release figures from Thriller or even The Body Snatcher I would guess though.

Chris

[palitoy]

It is from the Lugosi estate, that's how you get Bela's likeness.

[Confessional]

F–YEAH! Now it's on… Go Monster!

[cjefferys]

Awesome figure! And as people have been saying, this looks to be licensed from the Lugosi estate only. Karloff Frankenstein would require permission from both the Karloff estate and Universal, because of the makeup design being owned by Universal, that's not the case with Drac. The Sideshow Draculas had permission from both, so their figures could have the outfit design and packaging reference the 1931 film.

[Capt_Kirk]

Bela Lugosi is / was the one true Count Dracula. Just like Boris Karloff = Frankenstein's monster, Lon Chaney Jr = The Wolfman. My hope is Mego will be able to get all these licensed. Not an easy or inexpensive task. If they all turn out like this, They will make their money back. I know I'll buy them.

[scott metzger]

It is from the Lugosi estate, that's how you get Bela's likeness.

Yeah, to do an actual Lugosi UM Drac you'd need approval from both the studio and the Lugosi estate. Charlee Flatt was the first to get the rights to do Lugosi's licensed visage for an action figure. Even Hasbro hadn't been able to do that when they were doing 12" UM monsters, so we got a mustachioed non-Lugosi version (Lon Chaney, I think). Not sure what exactly the minutia is with Drac, but I'm still not fully excluding some Universal involvement somewhere.

[ODBJBG]

I quite liked EMCE's Dracula, even though it wasn't Lugosi. I thought it was a nice representation of the character.

That said, this one will reign supreme in my collection.

[Werewolf]

But does that mean they could do, say, a Karloff Frankenstein without the Universal license?

Not a chance. Universal owns the Jack Pierce make up designs.