Monday, October 12, 2015

Matte Paintings from DRACULA (1931)




These are the amazing matte paintings from the Universal classic version of DRACULA (1931). The film is on my mind because later this month I'll be going to see both the Tod Browning version and the simultaneously shot Spanish language version at a Fathom Events screening. The chance to see this double feature on the big screen is very exciting! 


11 comments:

K said...

I literally started watching this movie yesterday evening! Have you seen it on blu ray? Definitely improves some of the defects of age. Watching Dracula on blu was the first time I was impressed by the format. Which version do you prefer between the two? I'm torn, but I will say the Spanish version has better cinematography hands down.

Rod Barnett said...

If there was some way to wedge Lugosi into the Spanish version it would a perfect!

K said...

I agree! There's the technology nowadays to do so. Have you had the chance to see the blu ray?

Rod Barnett said...

No,no haven't seen the Blu yet. Still pissed at Universal for the rip-off way they release these movies.

K said...

Yeah, but I grew up with these movies and really love them, so I give in. They gave out shitty discs with those legacy DVD collections and that Hammer horror collection. Is that why you're pissed?There was a good deal on the blu ray pack and I bought it. Dracula and The Mummy had the best restoration. I plan on buying their newest collection with all of their horror movies. I just hope the discs are good this time.

Rod Barnett said...

No! I'm pissed that the issue these films on Blu but DON'T include all the sequels when the discs have more than enough damned space! I don't just want the origianl movies - I want the entire run of films - all the Mummy, Dracula, Frankenstein and Wolfman sequels and I don't want to buy this expensive set and have then THEN issue another set WITH all of the movies. Pisses me off just typing this.

K said...

Well calm down there buddy. If they're not pissing off someone then they're not doing something right.

Anthony Crnkovich said...

I beg to differ. The Browning version is far superior to the Melford one, which is marred by Carlos Villarias' inept performance, jarring inserts of Lugosi and his three brides, bad staging in the theater sequence... I can go on, but suffice it to say that the only worthwhile thing about the Spanish version is Lupita Tovar's performance..

Rod Barnett said...

We will have to agree to disagree. If Lugosi could be inserted into the Spanish version we would have the best of all worlds.

Anthony Crnkovich said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anthony Crnkovich said...

Then there's also Dwight Frye and Edward van Sloan -- their Spanish counterparts are terrible. They should've set the Spanish version in Spain or Mexico instead of keeping it in London, then the language would make sense. The English version is free of this inconsistency.