aramis-112-804880
Joined Jul 2011
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aramis-112-804880's rating
Louis Jordan IS Dracula.
I like giving precis of plots, but I think most people know a version of the story. It's doubtful many have read the original novel (one of my favorites; I must've read it a dozen times since I was in the 7th grade). But allow me to explain something not generally understood:
The gaslight Victorian look is quaint. We think of Sherlock Holmes darting through the fog. Mr. Hyde. Jack the Ripper.
Actually, the 1890s was a progressive age. It was full of new inventions, many of them presented in the novel. Had I been born 100 years to the day before I was, I'd have heard of the invention of telephones, electric lights, typewriters, phonographs, bicycles . . . By the time the novel was published in 1897 I'd have heard of primitive "horseless carriages" and motion pictures.
Yet with a (to them) glorious new century opening soon, here was a monster from the dark ages stalking their streets.
That's the real story behind DRACULA. Unfortunately, the further we get from the 1890s, the more quaint it looks. Alas.
Jordan is perfect (apart from the mousyache the title character wore in the book). What about the rest if the cast?
Judi Bowker and Susan Penhaglion are superb as Mina and Lucy.
Despite a little nipping and tucking, always necessary when translating a full-sized novel to movie length, this is still the best "Dracula" available.
I like giving precis of plots, but I think most people know a version of the story. It's doubtful many have read the original novel (one of my favorites; I must've read it a dozen times since I was in the 7th grade). But allow me to explain something not generally understood:
The gaslight Victorian look is quaint. We think of Sherlock Holmes darting through the fog. Mr. Hyde. Jack the Ripper.
Actually, the 1890s was a progressive age. It was full of new inventions, many of them presented in the novel. Had I been born 100 years to the day before I was, I'd have heard of the invention of telephones, electric lights, typewriters, phonographs, bicycles . . . By the time the novel was published in 1897 I'd have heard of primitive "horseless carriages" and motion pictures.
Yet with a (to them) glorious new century opening soon, here was a monster from the dark ages stalking their streets.
That's the real story behind DRACULA. Unfortunately, the further we get from the 1890s, the more quaint it looks. Alas.
Jordan is perfect (apart from the mousyache the title character wore in the book). What about the rest if the cast?
Judi Bowker and Susan Penhaglion are superb as Mina and Lucy.
Despite a little nipping and tucking, always necessary when translating a full-sized novel to movie length, this is still the best "Dracula" available.
Alice (no surname provided) goes through a rabbit's tunnel and finds herself in a world of adults behaving like children (so what else is new?). Director Jonathan Miller was able to compile an amazing cast for next to nothing. Well, a movie-star "nothing."
Highlights:
John Gielgud and Malcolm Muggeridge as the "mock turtle" and the "gryphen." It turned me about. I never liked this scene in the book or other movies. After seeing these distinguished gentlemen in the scene it's become a favorite as I understand it at last.
Michael Redgrave's nervy caterpillar. What a wonderful performance!
The Mad Tea Party with Peter Cook as a jolly mad man; Wilfred Lawson as a dormouse who just wants to sleep; and Michael Gough as a defensive, angry mad March Hare.
Gordon Gostelow (I always look forward to his performances) painting the roses.
Wilfred Brambell's swish white rabbit.
The courtroom scene, particularly, has a dreamlike quality.
Overall, a very different, but stylish, Victorian tale. Though it will bore children.
Highlights:
John Gielgud and Malcolm Muggeridge as the "mock turtle" and the "gryphen." It turned me about. I never liked this scene in the book or other movies. After seeing these distinguished gentlemen in the scene it's become a favorite as I understand it at last.
Michael Redgrave's nervy caterpillar. What a wonderful performance!
The Mad Tea Party with Peter Cook as a jolly mad man; Wilfred Lawson as a dormouse who just wants to sleep; and Michael Gough as a defensive, angry mad March Hare.
Gordon Gostelow (I always look forward to his performances) painting the roses.
Wilfred Brambell's swish white rabbit.
The courtroom scene, particularly, has a dreamlike quality.
Overall, a very different, but stylish, Victorian tale. Though it will bore children.
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