Cinemark theaters playing Dracula around Halloween!!!

[toys2cool]

would love to see Halloween

[Hector]

The Spanish version of Dracula is indeed technically superior...it flows more effectively (use of dolly shots for example). It's more atmospheric...and has scantily clad women...something the English version lacks. It also pays that the Spanish version was shot at night, when the English day crew left...so they were granted with natural darkness. Another advantage...the Spanish would watch the English dailies, raw footage...and thus make improvements such as better camera angles, lighting, etc...

Having said that...the English version had Bela Lugosi...perfect Dracula. The Spanish had the bombastic and comical Carlos Villarias, with his constant wide opened eyes and horrid overacting...

For that alone...English version Dracula >>>>>> Spanish version Dracula...

[Mikey]

Carlos Villarias in Dracula always reminded me of Al Pacino

[Earth 2 Chris]

The whole family went and took in this double feature yesterday. Very sparse crowd in the theater, that dwindled to nothing by about the 10 minute mark in the Spanish version. By the end it was just us and one other guy. While I (and to a lesser extent, my family) enjoyed seeing the superior (minus Lugosi and Frye) Spanish version, I think it was a mistake to show these two back to back on a double bill. It takes a very serious classic horror fan or movie buff to be able to sit through what is essentially the same movie twice. The true fan sits there and appreciates the little differences, but the average moviegoer who enjoys classic films is just going to think they are rewatching the same thing over again.

Having said all that, I really enjoyed seeing both films on the big screen. The English version seems far less creaky in a theater setting...but then the Spanish version reminds you of just how creaky it is! Aside from Villarias' mugging, the whole movie is just livlier. The acting style used by the cast is more "modern" compared to the very stagey acting in the Browning version, which seems like the actors are doing a radio play.

But, as was said before, the English version has Lugosi (and Frye). Not even the lovely Lupita Tovar can top them. One thing you notice about the Spanish language version projected on the big screen, is how sheer and low-cut Eva's nightgown is during the scene where she almost bites Harker. Quite shocking for the time!

Chris

[phil]

My local Cinemark is showing them tomorrow. Looking forward to seeing them on a big screen.

[HardyGirl]

I went Sunday w/ my housemate and my boss. It was fun, but we didn't stay for the Spanish version.

[phil]

I saw them today and it was fun to see them on the big screen. First time in a few years I watched the Spanish version. Counting me there were ten people in the audience for the Lugosi film. Counting me the audience dwindled down to four for the Spanish version. By the time it ended it was just me and one other person.

[Earth 2 Chris]

^Yeah, they really should have picked a different film. Probably Son of Dracula with Chaney being a recognizable horror star made the most sense.

Chris

[phil]

I agree that a different film as the second feature would have been a good choice. Sitting through both films back to back was interesting but also a bit dull. Despite the differences they tell the exact same story in the exact same way. I do hope there is another Universal film, or double feature for next Halloween. I'd love to see Son Of Frankenstein on a big screen.

[Earth 2 Chris]

^Son of Frankenstein and The Wolf Man would be a great double feature. You'd get Karloff, Lugosi, Rathbone, Chaney Jr and Rains!

Chris

[phil]

House of Frankenstein would be fun to see on a big screen. I still remember seeing it as a little kid and how great I thought it was because 'all the monsters' were in it. I still find it hugely entertaining.

A double feature of Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein and one of the Universal monster movies or even another A&C Meet film would be fun.

[TrekStar]

Abbot and Costello meet Frankenstein is a great movie to watch on Halloween, you have a great comedy team and
4 that's right 4 classic Universal Monsters stars in one movie, the 4th being the Invisible Man, voice of Vincent Price,
so you get a little 66 Batman connection in there too.

[phil]

Abbott & Costello Meet Frankenstein is one of my all time favorite movies and has been since I first saw it on TV when I was four years old. I still remember watching it with my cousins at grandparents house. I will definetly be watching it this weekend. :D