Dracula (1931) with Phillip Glass score

[Earth 2 Chris]

I've had the Dracula Legacy DVD set for many years, but this year I thought I'd watch Dracula with the "new" score composed by Phillip Glass.

I have to say, it really helped the funeral pace of the movie. The music filled in the long stretches of no dialogue or prolonged, stage-acting takes that Browning filmed.

My only gripe is the music overpowered a few of Lugosi's oh-so-few lines. Since Bela is far and away the best part of the picture, I wish they'd restrained themselves a bit here.

I know it's become a tradition to revere this movie for Lugosi and it's historical significance, but bash it's technical execution. After seeing other excellent films of the time like Frankenstein and Dr. Jeckly and Mr. Hyde, I have to agree that Browning did not push this movie enough. It's essentially a silent picture with a bit of sound in one part, and a filmed stage play in another. The score helps elevate it beyond that.

Chris

[MIB41]

I agree. The score was a mixed bag. It helped move some scenes along in places, but then seem to drown out others. I got the impression, they were more interested in marketing the new score, than artistically applying it where needed. Dracula is one of those rare Universal monster movies that just has not held up well over time. These attempts to "update" the film are further evidence of that issue. For all the popularity this film gave Lugosi, it's interesting that he only played the role TWICE in his entire movie career.

[Earth 2 Chris]

From what I've read and heard, Lugosi was set to return in Dracula's Daughter, but by the time the film started production, mores had changed in the country, and a strong censorship movement was making noise in Hollywood. Apparently Universal thought that Dracula would be too much for these people, so they took him out of the script, focusing the story on his daughter who regrets her life as a vampire. Oddly enough, they left in strong lesbian overtones which I'm sure were a definite no-no at the time!

Lugosi appeared in publicity shots for the film with Gloria Holden, and got paid his salary for the movie. For some reason, after that, the idea of him playing Dracula did not seem to really enter into the minds of anyone at Universal. I wonder if it had to do with his willingness to play essentially the same part for other studios in "Mark of the Vampire" and "Return of the Vampire". Universal sued Columbia over that last one.

Chris

[MIB41]

You know it's so funny you would mention "Mark of the Vampire". Back in the early 90's, me and a buddy of mine went to rent this exact movie at our local video store. We had gotten on the discussion about whether a sequel had ever been made of Dracula. We both thought maybe this film was it. You can imagine our surprise (and laughter) when we saw Lugosi in this comedic role. I believe there was one scene where he was stalking someone. Then, inexplicably, he turns around and runs off. Me and my friend looked at each other and just broke out laughing. We were like "What the...?" So perhaps Lugosi had parodied the part too much for Studios risk having him do a serious portrayal again. Very sad in many ways. But curious nonetheless.

[Earth 2 Chris]

"Return of the Vampire" works about as closely as a sequel to Dracula as you are going to get. The vampire returns to take revenge on the family of the slayer who did him in. The movie takes place in then-present day war-torn England. That and the addition of an odd werewolf portrayal adds to the atmosphere. It feels like a Universal movie the studio forgot to make. Which is probably why they sued!

Chris

[Brazoo]

I like the Philip Glass score a lot. I know what you mean about it stepping on Lugosi's lines - but it doesn't bother me too much. It makes those lagging dull shots you were talking about seem more dream-like, for me.

[Werewolf]

Don't care for it. I'm not against adding a proper gothic score to the movie because it doesn't have a sound track but the hyper high pitched noise Glass added is an annoying distraction that covers much of the dialogue.

[Brazoo]

I started off by already liking Glass - which helps - some people just don't.

[Werewolf]

I started off by already liking Glass - which helps - some people just don't.

Even as a fan of Glass you have to admit his soundtrack doesn't really fit the movie. The music should be romantic gothic. Deep, ominous, deliberate and foreboding. It should accentuate the scenes without being obtrusive and should NEVER cover the dialogue.

I'm sure on its own its fine. But as the soundtrack for Dracula it just doesn't work.

[Brazoo]

Personally, I enjoy the movie more with the new score than without it, but I should also mention that I'm not a huge fan of that movie.

For Universal monster movies I enjoy watching the James Whale movies and all the goofy sequels better.

[Werewolf]

but I should also mention that I'm not a huge fan of that movie.

Well, there you go. You are speaking as a fan of Glass and not of the movie. As a fan of Glass aside, does it, honestly, really fit the movie? It's like Giorgio Moroder's Metropolis soundtrack. Nothing wrong with the songs. But it's not a good Metropolis soundtrack.

Something like what John Williams did for the 79 Universal Dracula remake would be a much better fit in my opinion.

[Brazoo]

Well, there you go. You are speaking as a fan of Glass and not of the movie. As a fan of Glass aside, does it, honestly, really fit the movie?

Yeah, but I think the Glass score works in a different way than what you're saying though.

To me the Glass score is more of a contemporary look at the movie - like, it's commenting on dateness and using the off pacing, lack of dialog and sparse visuals and kinda passing it off as dream-like, rather than trying to musically travel back in time and try to create a period authentic score that treats what's happening as reality. I appreciate that new take because I'm a guy watching it now. To me it's fresh and makes watching the film more interesting.

I can see your point of view too - that it's maybe taking you out of the movie because the music seems outside of the film - but personally I could never get sucked into that movie in the first place. There's stuff I like in the movie, but a lot of the movie is dull and awkward for me - personally. Exactly the way Chris was saying, Browning was a good silent film director, but it's like he didn't grasp what movies were becoming in 1931.

At the end of the day it's hard to argue about taste. I'm usually a purist with these things, but the DVD has both versions - so I think it's cool. I'd love to see more people re-score the film, or the John Williams score re-edited to fit the '31 movie.

[Earth 2 Chris]

I'm not familiar with Glass' work, but I felt it fit the movie fairly well. It seemed like I was watching a silent film like Nosferatu with an added soundtrack, as they show them on TCM. Also a similar experience to early movies where they orchestra played along in the theater as the movie played. The quirky nature of the music fit the semi-silent treatment Browning gave the film, in my opinion.

But I can see why someone would think otherwise. It would be neat to see someone put the Williams score to this film. I bet someone will on YouTube eventually.

Chris

[Brazoo]

I saw Murnau's Nosferatu with a live orchestra about 10 years ago as part of the Toronto Film Festival - it was fantastic! From what I recall they played from the original score.

[Dark Shadow]

I've had the Dracula Legacy DVD set for many years, but this year I thought I'd watch Dracula with the "new" score composed by Phillip Glass.

I have to say, it really helped the funeral pace of the movie. The music filled in the long stretches of no dialogue or prolonged, stage-acting takes that Browning filmed.

My only gripe is the music overpowered a few of Lugosi's oh-so-few lines. Since Bela is far and away the best part of the picture, I wish they'd restrained themselves a bit here.

I know it's become a tradition to revere this movie for Lugosi and it's historical significance, but bash it's technical execution. After seeing other excellent films of the time like Frankenstein and Dr. Jeckly and Mr. Hyde, I have to agree that Browning did not push this movie enough. It's essentially a silent picture with a bit of sound in one part, and a filmed stage play in another. The score helps elevate it beyond that.

Chris

I have the Frankenstein & Wolfman Legacy Collections, but I haven't purchased the Dracula collection yet. I think mainly because my memories of watching this movie in adulthood weren't that favorable. (I either lost interest, or fell asleep). I did buy the Van Helsing Special Edition set which included the original Frankenstein, Wolfman & Dracula movies along with some extras.

This past Saturday, I had a rare "house to myself" night and had intended to watch all three monster movies. I started with Dracula and to my surprise I actually enjoyed it, I think for the first time in my adult life, from beginning to end. I watched all of the extras on the DVD, and then proceeded to watch it AGAIN, from start to finish. Twice in one night...with all lights out

I think what happened for me is that I went to see a live production of the play last year and it really gave me a new perspective & an appreciation for what this film actually is. I not only enjoyed Bela's performance & Dwight's performance, but I thoroughly absorbed the visuals throughout the silent periods.

Two new items on my "to do" list: Buy the Dracula Legacy Collection and watch the Dracula Legacy Collection.