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missysmadhouse · 4 years

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Bela Lugosi: King of Classic Horror

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Bela Lugosi created the image of elegant, hypnotic vampire enchanting his prey with charm and grace. For many years after the release of 1931's "Dracula," Lugosi's appearance in the film became the image of the vampire. Lugosi's formal attire, complete with medallion, cape and prominent widow's peak and unique inflection influenced the image of the vampire from Halloween costumes to children's shows with the Count puppet on Sesame Street to Count Chocula cereal.

Bela Ferenc Deszo Blasko was born not far from Count Dracula's homeland of Transylvania. Lugosi was born in Lugos, Hungary, close to the western border of the Transylvanian Alps, on October 20,1882.

Lugosi began working in theater with traveling companies in Hungary during the early 1900s, performing in plays and operas. Eventually, Lugosi would become a member of the National Theater of Hungary and would perform in 34 shows, mostly in Shakespearean productions.

Lugosi was also a veteran of World War I, having served in the Austro-Hungarian Army in 1914. Although being a member of the National Theater made Lugosi exempt from military service, he volunteered.

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He earned the rank of lieutenant with the 43rd Royal Hungarian Infantry fighting against Russian forces. In 1916, after being wounded on multiple occasions, Lugosi returned acting in the Hungarian theater.

Lugosi continued his career as an actor, segueing to film under the name Arisztid Olt.

Eventually, Lugosi made his way to the United States and became a naturalized citizen in 1931.

Lugosi resumed his acting career as an American citizen, portraying the character of Count Dracula on Broadway in 1927. Lugosi brought the infamous image of Count Dracula from stage to screen in 1931.

Lugosi continued his career, acting in a number of horror movies. Lugosi portrayed Count Dracula twice in 1931's "Dracula" and "Abbott and Costello meet Frankenstein" in 1948. Among many other roles, Lugosi starred in "White Zombie" (1932), "The Black Cat" (1934), "Mark of the Vampire" (as Count Mora in 1935) and"The Devil Bat" (1940).

Photo: imdb

Lugosi was offered the role of Frankenstein's monster but wasn't interested. The role would go to another horror icon, Boris Karloff.

Karloff and Lugosi had a mutual respect for each other and co-starred in five movies together.

Lugosi was quoted as saying that Karloff was "Suspicious of tricks, fearful of what he regarded as scene stealing. Later on, when he realized that I didn't go in for such nonsense, we became friends."

Lugosi also went on to say that he and Karloff "...laughed over my sad mistake and his good fortune as 'Frankenstein' is concerned."

https://youtu.be/zISSDHvgj3Y

youtube

Sara Karloff and Bela Lugosi Jr. Discuss Their Famous Fathers

https://youtu.be/UHevIkPCbeo

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Bela Lugosi's Scenes in"Plan 9 from Outer Space"

Lugosi would go on to work with B movie director Ed Wood in 1953's "Glen or Glenda" and "Bride of the Monster" in 1955. Lugosi's last appearance on film was in Wood's "Plan 9 from Outer Space."

Wood shot footage of Lugosi, wearing his famous Dracula cape, which would be incorporated into the finished film. Lugosi's character's other scenes were filmed with Wood's wife's chiropractor, Tom Mason, filling in for Lugosi. To resemble Lugosi as closely as possible, Mason appears in the movie hunched over with the cape draped over the lower half of his face.

Bela Lugosi passed away on August 16, 1956 of a heart attack. Lugosi was buried in his Dracula cape. He was 73-years-old.

- Missy Dawn

Sources: Mental Floss: "12 Surprising Facts About Bela Lugosi," by Mark Mancini, October 20, 2018.

belalugosi.com

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#horror movies #classic horror #horror #horror icons #dracula

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