Post by Deleted on Nov 19, 2012 16:15:20 GMT -5
Article 1: Your Master is Calling
Classic Horror Observations:
Dracula
(1931 / director: Tod Browning)
★★½
Classic Horror Observations:
Dracula
(1931 / director: Tod Browning)
★★½
Classic horror can claim a greater command on the world of gothic than the decades which crafted the present ultra-realism state of the genre and a certain old-world social sophistication. But there's no denying that it's also technically primitive. To the point where the actors don't seem to know the differences between acting for film and acting for theater. As a result, dramatic moments go way over-the-top. There are scenes here that make John Waters look subtle. The only difference here (other than the black and white) is that, well- the crazy is delivered by a guy with shiny silver eyes (Dwight Frye's wickedly amusing Renfield). While I can always respect a quality piece of film history, I'm afraid I can only react to this film now with laughter. Clearly, Dracula's best quality is its' creepy dialogue and grave readings of it. The rest of the film is a lot of drama and only the actors playing it lowkey are keeping it together. Typically, our attention rests with the villainous characters. Because (as An American Werewolf in London director John Landis pointed out on Bravo's 100 Scariest Movie Moments), the movie is occupied with a great deal of scenes featuring characters shouting things like- "What's that running across the lawn?! Looks like a huge dog!" If only you could see. We do however see cute rubber bats bouncing about in open windows (cue Sesame Street "Batty Bat" dance number). It's all shockingly funny. Especially Martin the caretaker (his classic "they're all craezy except you and me!" moment is still hilarious to this day).
Then there's the issue of music. My first viewing of this film was marred considerably by Universal's recreation of the score in a 1990's print by Philip Glass. It's too much, too loud, they play it too often, it's too "sweet" sounding... And it feels too new. I want to experience the film as it was originally intended. If that means no score... oh well. Silence is golden, they say. I gather this problem has now been fixed, either on the print used for DVD or by Netflix. Chalk this all up to: the film remains very charming. But it can never truly be scary (as a matter of fact, some scenes are funnier without music). Big points for imagery, though. And you'll definitely never forget the stares of Renfield and Dracula.
