House of Dracula (1945)

Wow! Such a good movie.

I cannot think of one single thing that I would change about this film. The acting is incomparable, the directing deft, and the writing poignantly brilliant.

After playing with our expectations, this turns out to be a very different sort of film.

Although I seem to have had higher expectations than I thought, the movie is super entertaining.

"Universal" studios could have made a better film in which to finish their stable of monster characters."House of Dracula" is a disappointment in many ways: Onslow Stevens acting a bit on the hammy side when he becomes a mad scientist (he is better when playing his character in a more benevolent manner), Glenn Strange has nothing to do other than destroy the laboratory, it's rather obvious that footage is used from previous horror films by the studios, Lionel Atwill shouldn't have bothered appearing in this film as he is clearly rather ill during filming (he died only months later), Lon Chaney Jnr should have had more screen time as the Wolf Man and the reduction in budget is there for all to see.John Carradine makes another effective appearance as Count Dracula though and he wisely has a fair amount of screen time.It's a bit disappointing that this film marks the last time we see the old Eastern European village set on the backlot.

This Finale to the Highly Popular and Entertaining Universal Monster Series is an Underrated and Creepy Spook Show that has Moments of Horror and Terror and takes Itself, Surprisingly, very Serious Indeed.The Usual Suspects are Gathered in Dr. Edelmann's (Onslow Stevens) "Cure-All" Castle as Dracula (John Carradine) enters the Doctor's House and makes it His Own. Coffin in Tow (with the essential layer of home turf) the Count Politely asks for a Cure.Things Quickly become less Polite and more Terrifying as the Movie Progresses. Lon Chaney Jr. (The Wolfman) is in the Waiting Room, and You know why He is there, and He and the Good Doctor (at least for now) literally Fall Upon Frankenstein's Monster (Glenn Strange) and here We go Again.The Film is Rich with a Rousing and very Effective Musical Score, some Surreal SFX from John Fulton, a Gloomy Set beneath the Earth with Webby Weeds that is Dank, Dark and Foreboding, and for one Final Fear, a Beautiful Female Hunchback Nurse (Jane Adams) that is one of the Film's Ultimate Tragedies.Stevens gives an Outstanding Performance as the Doctor as He Adds another Monster to the Mix and gives the Film it's Driving Doom Laden Center.Overall, there are Real Chills and Thrills in this Curtain Call for the Series and does not Disappoint. It needs to be Looked at Again with less Jaded and Tired Eyes.Because as it Stands this Monster Movie Delivered a Horror of a Horror Movie that is more than just a Wrap. The Package Inside is Indeed a Respectable and a Credible Entry with its "Famous Monsters".Note...Lionel Atwill makes a short appearance as the "Inspector", it was to be one of His last Films as He died a Year later.

This is a sequel to the House of Frankenstein. House of Frankenstein is about Frankenstein Dracula and the wolf man. This movie is also about Dracula Frankenstein and the wolf man. Dracula come to a scientist who he think can make him human again. The wolf man come to the same scientist looking for a cure. The Frankenstein is discovered to still be alive. He stats out slow but give it time. It is really one of the scariest movie ever made. This movie is scarier then Frankenstein (1931). This movie is scarier then The bride of Frankenstein. It is very intense. If you like really scary movie then you need to see this movie.

This is another Universal fun filled fright fest.Many people want to compare it to House Of Frankenstein.Even though it has similar cast and the same director it can stand on its own.(It does appear that Erle C Kenton directed most of the Universal horror films of the 40's).The plot recap:Baron Latos appears at the home of Dr Eidlemann seeking a "cure" for his vampires.Larry Talbot (who somehow survived House OF Frankenstein) also shows up at the good doctors door seeking a cure for his affliction.After a failed suicide attempt Talbot and the doctor find the Frankenstein monster. To complicate matters just before he bites the dust, Dracula infects the good doctor with his blood.The doctor becomes a bloodthirsty maniac at certain times.Where this leads to is something you'll have to see for your self.Carradine actually gives a very good performance as Dracula. He isn't chewing up the scenery as he will in later roles. It is hard to repress giggles when he appears in a top hat though.The cape/cloak is traditional but the hat has to go. Where does the hat go when he changes into a bat...?Onslow Stevens gives an excellent portrayal of the doctor. He's torn between his basic kindness and the increasing blood lust he is now prone to. This is a very underrated performance.Chaney brings even more life to the Wolf Man in his 4th appearance in that role.The monster isn't given much to do this time.Just lay on the table until the end(some stock footage from the Ghost Of Frankenstein is used).At least in House Of Frankenstein he was up and around a bit.Yes this does stick to the basic Universal pattern complete with the angry village mob running amok with torches.But it isn't a bad way to spend an hour and ten minutes.It gets a low 8.