Best Dracula on the silver screen

Good evening, and welcome my fellow children of the night! It's that time again. I have two questions to pose to all of you today.





1. In the history of the horror film, who has brought the best portrayal of Count Dracula to the big screen? There have been many actors who tried their hand at it, with mixed results. A few have excelled in the role, having reprised it on multiple occasions.



In my opinion, the actor who best personified Dracula was non other than Christopher Lee. This icon of the horror film had it all. Tall and lean, he had an aristocratic air about him. His intense bloodshot eyes sent chills up my spine! The way his flowing cape would billow outwards from his body when he would pursue his victim was mesmerizing. While he rarely uttered a word, his intimidating prescence spoke volumes. His first appearance as the famed bloodsucker was in the 1958 chiller "Horror of Dracula". He continued to reprise the coveted role well into the 1970s. His other notable turns as The Count are ( in cronological order)

1. "Dracula, Prince of Darkness" (1965),


2. "Dracula Has Risen From The Grave"(1968),


3. "Taste the Blood of Dracula"(1969),


4. "Scars of Dracula"(1970),


5. " Dracula A.D. 1972"(1972)


6. "The Satanic Rites of Dracula"(1973).

All of these films were released by the prestigious Hammer Films , filmed at the famed Shepperton Studios in London, England. I recommend them all highly.

When I had the immense pleasure of seeing this charasmatic actor in person, back in 1990 at the Fangoria Weekend of Horrors convention, I knew that I was in the presence of a legend. He commented that although he was most known for his starring role as Dracula, it only comprised a small portion of his acting career. He starred in many swashbuckling films in the 1940s and 1950s, and noted that Burt Lancaster taught him how to fence. Sadly, he also noted that Peter Cushing, his legendary costar in many films, was ill with cancer. He would eventually pass on in 1994.





Question #2-What are some of your favorite Christopher Lee films? Mine are as follows:

1. "Horror Hotel"(1960),
2. "Dr. Terrors House of Horrors"(1965),
3. "The House That Dripped Blood"(1971),
4. "Horror Express"(1972),
5. "The Creeping Flesh"(1972) with Peter Cushing , and the cult classic
6. "The Wicker Man"(1973).
   

So let's stroll down memory lane, and tell me what your faves are. I want to know! Until then, I bid you farewell, and HAVE A BLOODY GOOD DAY!