Le Fils de Dracula

Robert Siodmak directed this second sequel to "Dracula", casting Lon Chaney Jr. as Count Alucard(backwards!) who arrives at the southern plantation Dark Oaks at the invitation of Katharine Caldwell(played by Louise Albritten) who is engaged to Frank Stanley(played by Robert Paige). Alucard however wants Katharine, who then marries him, though as it turns out, this is all part of a morbid plan... Frank Craven & J. Edward Bromberg play Alucard's opponents, who learn the truth of his identity. Evelyn Ankers is sadly wasted as Katharine's sister Claire. Reasonably good film has fine atmosphere and a polished look, with an unconventional story, which is also muddled, since it is not clear exactly who this "Dracula" is, or if indeed he is related to Lugosi. Some supporting characters are weak as well, though Chaney does give the lead role a good try. Last of the series too.

Count Alucard (Dracula spelled backwards) goes to Louisiana to make willing Louise Allbritton his bride. But she has other ideas up her sleeve. Very atmospheric film starts slow but really picks up speed in the middle leading to a great, unexpected ending. Lon Chaney Jr. is (surprisingly) good as Alucard and the atmosphere is just beautiful...swamps drenched with fog and moss. Also Chaney plays Dracula NOT his son (despite the title). This was the first movie to use Alucard as an anagram for Dracula. This was considered a lousy horror film for many years--most people complained that Chaney looked WAY too healthy to play an undead vampire and they found the plot slow. Now it's getting the recognition it deserves. A well-done, neglected little gem. And, again, the ending is GREAT!

Well, Universal brought us Dracula's Daughter first and then felt compelled to find his lost son seven years later. One can only thank the powers to be that we didn't get movie titles like Dracula's Niece or Godfather of Dracula. This film details the story of a rich American woman, played with gusto by Louise Allbritton, who sends for Count Alucard(Dracula backwards) to make a pact with. She fears death and wants to be given the Count's knack for eternal life. She marries this Count, yet wants to be rid of him after she receives her "gift." The Count is played by none other than horror legend Lon Chaney Jr, possibly creating the huskiest Dracula ever on screen. Chaney is decent in the role, although it is clear it was a role made for another actor...like a John Carradine, slender and articulate. Chaney is forceful in some of the scenes and does an adequate job considering the muddle of a script involved. Certainly not Universal's best, but certainly watchable and entertaining.