Son of Dracula (1943)

Son of Dracula
Directed by Robert Siodmak
Written by Eric Taylor from a story by Curt Siodmak
1943/USA
Universal Pictures
Repeat viewing/Netflix rental

[box] Count Dracula: [as his coffin is burning] Put it out! Put it out, I tell ya’![/box]

First we get Bela Lugosi as Frankenstein’s Monster.  Now it’s Lon Chaney, Jr. as Dracula. What were they thinking?

Katherine Caldwell (Louise Albritton) is a “morbid” believer in the occult.  She is eagerly expecting a visit from Count Alucard (Chaney) to her Southern plantation home. Everybody associated with her, including fiance Frank, takes an instant disliking to him.   Katherine marries him any way.  Her family hires vampire expert Prof. Lazlo (J. Edward Bromberg) to help out.  Double crosses and mild horror ensue  With Evelyn Ankers as Katherine’s sister.

The highlight of this film is some excellent low-key shots by future film noir master Siodmak.  Otherwise, it is pretty lame.  Chaney is even more unlikely as Hungarian count that he was a the son of an English lord.

Trailer