The Bloody Pit #168 - SON OF DRACULA (1943)

Lon Chaney Jr. gets little respect for his performance in this Universal Monster classic but Troy and I have a few things to say about that. In fact, we have a few things to say about a number of things in this fun chiller that we think is one of the best horror films of the decade. Indeed, we’re so excited to talk about this one that we almost forgot to use a synopsis of the story for reference but we do eventually wind our way through the plot. Spoilers abound, so you have been warned!

We talk about the production including the reason this long delayed sequel finally went before the cameras. The behind the scenes wrangling that saw one Siodmak brother exit the film as another one entered is a topic along with a detailed look at the very ‘film noir’ filter that the story places over its horror tale. We discuss just how ‘Deep South’ the setting really is and ruminate on the oddly vague midwestern feel of the movie. Just where is that swamp? Troy asks many questions about the film that I cannot answer including a long list of possible first time appearances of several vampiric cinema ideas that we all simple accept these days. I need to do more homework!

We hope you enjoy our discussion which concludes with a relevant email from a loyal listener. If you want to be a part of our next Email Show thebloodypit@gmail.com is the place to send your thoughts. Thank you for listening and we’ll be back ASAP.  

SON OF DRACULA (1943) Poster Art and Lobby Cards

 

Trailers From Hell - SON OF DRACULA (1943)

Joe Dante calls this one of the best of the 1940's Universal monster films and I have to agree. 

What I Watched in February 2023

M. Night Shyamalan will never regain the pop culture cache he had twenty years ago but I’m happy to see he continues to craft excellent genre films. I think the main reason I have loved his last few movies is that he has stuck to adapting other’s work. Doing this gives him the freedom to find great stories and bring his greatest talent to bear – his skill as a director. Shyamalan has always understood how to not just frame his images but he grasps how to stage his shot choices for maximum effectiveness. He knows how to build a well edited scene that communicates every needed detail clearly but never feels as if we are being force fed exposition. He does not waste shots and each scene leads logically, visually to the next giving his work a natural feel that can have many different effects on the viewer. If he continues to choose interesting stories to tell he may still be making good, interesting movies into his dotage.

KNOCK AT THE CABIN (2023) is a perfect example of finding an engrossing story and shaping it intelligently for the big screen. I’ll shy away from describing the tale as I think that the trailer gives a little too much away already, but I think Shyamalan’s casting choices were inspired. Each role must communicate a lot more than simple surface information and the actors are exceptional at showing nuanced fears and conflicting wishes. Often we witness characters having to act in ways alien to their natures and the emotions are well handled. The film balances the possible reality of its dystopian scenario with concrete reasons to doubt the dark events are as they seem. I will enjoy revisiting this movie for many reasons and its fine cast is the top of that list.

The List

A CHALLENGE FOR ROBIN HOOD (1967) – 7 (rewatch on Blu)

WANDERING EARTH (2019) – 6 (edited by a spastic speed freak but not awful)

 

LUCKY GHOST (1942) – 5 (short, occasionally funny Mantan Moreland comedy)

PUFNSTUF (1970) – 7 (the cult TV show comes to the big screen)

MOON OF THE WOLF (1972) – 7 (solid TV movie)

YANKEE FAKIR (1947) – 6

 

SKINAMARINK (2023) – 4 (there’s a good horror movie idea here but not at 100 minutes)

JUNGLE BRIDE (1933) – 6

 

VIOLENT NIGHT (2022) – 8

 

ORLOFF AND THE INVISIBLE MAN (1970) – 5 (rewatch)

 

ZORRO AGAINST MACISTE (1963) – 7 (very fun adventure from Umberto Lenzi)

 

SEPTEMBER (1987) – 7 (Allen’s stage bound drama)

 

MORGAN THE PIRATE (1960) – 7 (Steve Reeves swashbuckler)

 

1990: THE BRONX WARRIORS (1982) – 7 (rewatch on Blu)

 

KNOCK AT THE CABIN (2023) – 8

 

CRAZY DESIRES OF A MURDERER (1977) – 6 (mildly effective, sleazy giallo)

 

DON’T WORRY, DARLING (2022) – 5   (not as smart or effective as it should be – but it is pretty)

KILLER’S DELIGHT (1978) – 6 (pretty good low budget thriller)

RESURRECTION (1999) – 7 (solid thriller in the SE7EN style)

 

I MARRIED A MONSTER FROM OUTER SPACE (1957) – 8 (rewatch on Blu)

SPELLBINDER (1988) – 6 (OK variation on The Wicker Man)

ANT-MAN AND THE WASP: QUANTUMANIA (2023) – 8 

Video Highlights from THE DEATHLESS DEVIL (1972)

This action filled 54 seconds gives you some idea of the energetic madness of this Turkish adaptation (if I'm being kind) of the classic Republic serial THE MYSTERIOUS DOCTOR SATAN (1940). How this was deemed a good idea thirty years after the original I cannot say, but I thank the cinema gods for it every day! 

Poster Art and Lobby Cards for ATTACK OF THE 50 FT WOMAN (1958)

Poster Art and Lobby Cards for I MARRIED A MONSTER FROM OUTER SPACE (1958)

Coming soon on Blu-Ray from Shout Factory!