Fellow Svengoolie SvenPals everywhere will be jumping for joy for his big broadcast of a classic Universal monster masterpiece with one of cinema’s horror legends.
“Svengoolie” presents his big broadcast of “Dracula” (1931)
Latter Realart theatrical re-issue trailer for the Universal Studios production of “Dracula” (originally released by Universal in 1931) with Bela Lugosi.
The legendary Berwyn/Chicago-based monster-horror film host will present his big broadcast of the Universal Studios monster-vampire classic screen masterpiece, “Dracula” (1931); this Sat., Sept. 28 at 8 p.m. Eastern/7 p.m. Central on Me-TV.
The landmark Universal monster screen adaptation of “Dracula” (1931) was directed by veteran director-actor-writer-producer Tod Browning. In addition to his mammoth 1931 Universal screen monster adaptation of “Dracula,” Browning was known for his thrillers at rival studio Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer; including “The Unknown” (1927) and “Mark of the Vampire” (1935). Browning’s landmark screen rendition of “Dracula” for Universal was adapted from Bram Stoker’s novel of the same name, according to IMDB. Stoker’s novel was previously adapted for the silver screen by Károly Lajthay and his Hungarian silent production of “Dracula’s Death” (1921) and F.W. Murnau’s German silent production of “Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror” (1922).
This will mark Svengoolie’s seventh big broadcast presentation of “Dracula” (1931) on Me-TV. He previously showcased Browning’s 1931 classic Universal monster masterpiece from coast-to-coast back in Oct. 2011*, April 2012*, Nov. 2012*, Oct. 2013, Oct. 2015 and March 2017.
To quote Universal Studios’ concluding motto, “A good cast is worth repeating.” Who was in “Dracula” (1931)?
The players who appeared in Browning’s mammoth Universal screen masterpiece adaptation of “Dracula” (1931) were Bela Lugosi (as Count Dracula), Helen Chandler (as Mina), Dwight Frye (as Renfield), Edward Van Sloan (as Van Helsing), David Manners (as John Harker), Carla Laemmle (in an uncredited cameo appearance as a stagecoach passenger), Herbert Bunston (as Dr. Seward), Joan Standing (as a maid), Frances Dade (as Lucy), Charles K. Gerrard (as Martin), Geraldine Dvorak, Dorothy Tree and Cornelia Thaw (in uncredited roles as Dracula’s wives) and John George (in an uncredited role as a scientist).
Before appearing in “Dracula” (1931), Lugosi previously played the role of Count Dracula in a Broadway stage adaptation of Stoker’s vampire novel in 1927 (along with a coast-to-coast tour from 1928-29), according to A&E Biography. Edward Van Sloan also previously appeared in the Broadway stage adaptation of “Dracula” with Lugosi, according to the 1999 Universal featurette documentary on Tod Browning’s production of “Dracula;” “The Road to Dracula.” Dwight Frye later played the role of Igor in James Whale’s classic Universal monster masterpiece with Boris Karloff, “Frankenstein” (1931). Carla Laemmle was the niece of Universal Studios founder Carl Laemmle. One year before “Dracula,” she appeared in the role of Chorine in John Murray Anderson’s Universal two-strip Technicolor musical, “King of Jazz” (1930, credited under the name of “Beth Laemmle;” according to IMDB).
John Ivan Hoffman’s original sets for Browning’s Universal production of “Dracula” were also used for the evening filming of the George Melford/Enrique Tovar Ávalos/Universal Spanish-language edition, titled “Drácula” (1931); with Carlos Villarías as Count Dracula and Lupita Tovar as Eva Seward (before the advent of dubbing for global cinema distribution, according to IMDB).
Bela Lugosi: Billed as the “next Lon Chaney (senior)” around the release of “Dracula”
According to a 1931 issue of Silver Screen Magazine**, Bela Lugosi was dubbed as the “next Lon Chaney (senior)” around the success of his Universal screen portrayal of Count Dracula. He was billed as a “man of mystery” in terms of the senior Chaney. The senior Lon Chaney was originally considered by Tod Browning for the title role of Count Dracula shortly before his death in 1930, according to Rob Nixon’s article on “Dracula” for Turner Classic Movies.
Karl Freund’s cinematography
According to additional information from Universal’s “The Road to Dracula” featurette via film historian and fellow super SvenPal Lokke Heiss, veteran cinematographer Karl Freund utilized various tracking shots throughout Browning’s 1931 Universal monster production. It was noted that Freund’s cinematography for “Dracula” had similar techniques to cinematography in German expressionist films. Freund would continue working on various cinema classics throughout his career and he later designed the 35mm three-camera setup for television (utilizing three 35mm cameras) in the early 1950s for Desi Arnaz and Lucille Ball’s production firm, Desilu (for the couple’s groundbreaking 1951-57 CBS sitcom, “I Love Lucy”).
Tod Browning’s “Dracula:” A classic cinema masterpiece of two genres
According to a pre-production article on Browning’s Universal monster production of “Dracula” in the Oct. 1930 edition of Exhibitors’ Herald-World, the director and Carl Laemmle Jr. (son of Carl Laemmle) decided that the studio’s production of “Dracula” with Bela Lugosi would be treated as a mix of romance and horror. Browning’s Universal monster-vampire masterpiece adaptation of Stoker’s novel was released from coast-to-coast on Feb. 14 (Valentine’s Day) 1931; according to Tim Gray’s 2018 retrospective article on “Dracula” in Variety.
In the aforementioned Exhibitors’ Herald-World article, veteran actor Lew Ayres (of 1930’s “All Quiet on the Western Front” fame and later of MGM’s “Dr. Kildare” film series) was originally considered for the role of John Harker in “Dracula.”
After “Dracula” (1931): Lugosi’s second and final Universal monster screen appearance as “Count Dracula”
17 years after the theatrical release of “Dracula,” Bela Lugosi performed his second and final Universal monster feature film appearance of “Count Dracula” in Charles T. Barton’s classic Universal monster-comedy farce masterpiece; “Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein” (1948, with Bud Abbott, Lou Costello, Glenn Strange as Frankenstein’s monster, Lon Chaney Jr. as Lawrence “Wolf Man” Talbot and Lenore Aubert).
Be sure to watch/record Svengoolie’s big broadcast of Bela Lugosi in “Dracula” (1931), this Sat. on Me-TV!
With Bela Lugosi, Helen Chandler, Dwight Frye, Edward Van Sloan, Carla Laemmle, David Manners, Carla Laemmle, Herbert Bunston, Joan Standing, Frances Dade, Charles K. Gerrard, Geraldine Dvorak, Dorothy Tree, Cornelia Thaw, John George and Karl Freund’s cinematography; you will not want to miss out on Svengoolie’s big broadcast of the Tod Browning Universal monster-vampire classic masterpiece, “Dracula” (1931); this Sat. on Me-TV! A perfect pre-Halloween treat for all fellow super SvenPals and fellow aficionados of Universal monster features and classic monster/horror film enthusiasts everywhere with Sven’s extended fun facts, Doug Graves’ parody tune and Kerwyn’s “mail call!” You will not be disappointed! Highly recommended!
*Before Me-TV came into the Washington/Frederick area (Me-TV came into the Washington/Frederick broadcast region in early 2013; originally on WJLA-TV and then moved to Fox O&O WTTG-5 in March 2017). -C.H.
**”Silver Screen Magazine” is not connected to “Silver Screen Reflections.” –C.H.
Svengoolie presents his big broadcast of “Dracula” (1931) with Bela Lugosi
Sat., Sept. 28 at 8 p.m. Eastern/7 p.m. Central on Me-TV (part of “Super Sci-Fi Sat. Night”)
Me-TV’s official coast-to-coast affiliation finder
In the Frederick, Maryland/Washington, D.C. area: WTTG-5.3/Cable 196/FiOS 489/Antietam Cable 194 (also on QAM digital 68.6 for Antietam cable subscribers)
In the Baltimore, Maryland area: WBAL-TV 11.2/Cable 208/FiOS 460
In the Hanover/Gettysburg/York, Pennsylvania area: WGAL-TV 8.2/Cable 248/FiOS 460
Live-tweet with all fellow super #Svengoolie SvenPals everywhere from coast-to-coast via Twitter this Sat. during Sven’s big Me-TV broadcast of Bela Lugosi in “Dracula” (1931)!
Flashback “Silver Screen Reflections” articles the Oct. 2015 dual article on Sven’s big broadcast of Tod Browning’s 1931 Universal vampire-monster classic masterpiece/brief Universal/TCM theatrical re-issue of “Dracula” (1931) and Sven’s March 2017 Me-TV big broadcast of “Dracula” (1931)
To all fellow super SvenPals: The weekly “Silver Screen Reflections” Sven blog post(s) will still be published weekly (usually scheduled for Tue. or Wed. evenings, days may vary and are subject to change due to career schedule obligations). Additional “update” tweets of the date of publication for the following edition of “Silver Screen Reflections” will be mentioned via Twitter (moments after the commercial for next week’s Sven big broadcast classic feature during Sven’s present Sat. big broadcast on Me-TV). –C.H.
Extra! Extra! Extra! Fellow super Svengoolie SvenPals of Berwyn/Chicago/Elk Grove Village, Illinois, New York City/Tri-State (New York/New Jersey/Connecticut) area and beyond!
This Sat., Sven will be having a free meet-and-greet in-person photo/autograph session at the Elk Grove Public Library’s Comic Con® event festival (1001 Wellington Ave., Elk Grove Village, Illinois 60007) on Sept. 28 from 1 p.m.-3 p.m. (local time)! According to the official Elk Grove Library Comic Con® site, photo cards of Sven will be provided for Sven’s autograph session and Sven will autograph personal items (one per person) and official authentic Sven merchandise will be available for purchase at the event! Plus, there will be comic book illustrators/artists, props/costumes from various comic book and sci-fi features/TV programs, a Hollywood film & TV automobile show, food trucks, face painting, and much, much more!
Sven meets the “Big Apple!” According to Svengoolie’s official Twitter site, Svengoolie will be making an appearance in New York City this Oct. for the New York Comic-Con event at the DC Comics booth in commemoration of the upcoming Sven-DC Comics Superhero Universe crossover inserts, along with a Sven 40th anniversary panel at the New York Comic-Con! Sven will be appearing with veteran comic artist/illustrator Christopher Jones for the DC Booth and Sven will be at the NYCC’s Sven 40th anniversary panel w/ DC Comics co-publisher Dan DiDio on Fri., Oct. 4 (as of this writing, the only information available from the NYCC site is that the Sven-DC panel will take place on Fri., Oct. 4 from 2:45 p.m.-3:45 p.m. at Room 1A06/Javits Center, 429 11th Ave., New York, New York 10001). Ticket/badge info is available on the official NYCC site. Be on the lookout for additional updates from Sven’s official website, social media feeds and the official NYCC site!
And in honor of Sven/Mr. Rich Koz’s 40th anniversary in television, Sven will be appearing at Chicago’s Museum of Broadcast Communications (360 North State St., Chicago, IL 60654) on Sat., Oct. 26 from 7 p.m.-11 p.m. (local time, doors are open for the general public at 6:30 p.m. local time) for the museum’s re-dedication of the Svengoolie exhibit (in time for Halloween)! Presented in conjunction with Me-TV (according to the official press release from the Museum of Broadcast Communications), a 40th anniversary Sven event will be held along with a costume contest, food/beverages and much more will also be on hand during Sven’s 40th/MBC event! General admission tickets are $50. Plus, a private VIP reception with Sven’s alter-ego, Mr. Rich Koz from 5:30 p.m.-7 p.m. (local time) at the museum (plus admission to the MBC’s Sven 40th event)! Tickets for the aforementioned Sven/Mr. Rich Koz VIP private event are $150. All proceeds (from the two levels of ticket sales) will benefit the Museum of Broadcast Communications. Tickets can be purchased online (via registration) through the MBC’s DoubleKnot online ticket platform!
To our fellow super SvenPals of Berwyn/Chicago/Elk Grove Village and our fellow super SvenPals of the New York City/tri-state (NY/NJ/CT) area and beyond; have fun seeing Sven in-person at the Elk Grove Comic-Con®, the New York Comic-Con event and the Museum of Broadcast Communications Sven 40th anniversary bash! And congratulations to Sven/Mr. Rich Koz on your upcoming DC Comics “Justice League” print appearances from all of us fellow super SvenPals everywhere! The entire crowd of fellow coast-to-coast super SvenPals are looking forward to your DC Comics debut series! –C.H.
Cameo mentions of fellow super Svengoolie SvenPals!
Extra! Extra! Extra! Svengoolie/Mr. Rich Koz and a fellow super SvenPal to be honored by the City of Chicago! For his 40th anniversary in the Berwyn/Chicago television airlanes; (son of) Sven/Svengoolie/Mr. Rich Koz will be honored by the City of Chicago, Illinois for 40 years in broadcasting! This was done through the efforts of fellow super Svengoolie SvenPal Brian A. “B.A.” Bernardoni (who also worked with the State of Illinois on honoring Sven/Mr. Rich Koz for the 2014 “Svengoolie Day” dedication celebration in the state of Illinois) and Chicago Alderman Raymond Lopez! Not only will Sven/Mr. Rich Koz be honored by the City of Chicago, Brian “B.A.” Bernardoni will also be honored by the City of Chicago for his achievements as well and a new career! Congratulations to both Sven/Mr. Rich Koz and Brian B.A. Bernardoni from the entire crowd of fellow super SvenPals everywhere from coast-to-coast for being honored for your achievements from the City of Chicago! All of us are proud of you and we’re all jumping for joy! Keep up the excellent work in your fields, sirs! Peace/two thumbs up/kudos/three cheers and “Hi-Keeba” from all of us fellow SvenPals everywhere! –C.H.
Extra! Extra! Extra! Fellow super Svengoolie SvenPals from coast-to-coast jumped for joy when fellow super SvenPal Sgt. Robert Waggoner and his family had a cameo photo appearance with their Sven 40th anniversary “It Came from Berwyn” T-Shirts on with the famed Solvang Danish windmills in the town of Solvang, California (a.k.a., the “Danish Capital of America”)! This was telecast during Sven & Kerwyn’s “mail call” segment for Sven’s big Sept. 21, 2019 broadcast of William Castle’s classic Columbia “Illusion-O” ghost thriller, “13 Ghosts” (1961) on Me-TV! Congratulations to Sgt. Waggoner & to Sgt. Waggoner’s family from the entire crowd of fellow coast-to-coast super Svengoolie SvenPals for being featured in Sven & Kerwyn’s “mail call” segment! Hope you all enjoyed Solvang! All of us are jumping for joy and we’re all proud of you! Three cheers, two thumbs up, kudos, peace and “Hi-Keeba” from the entire crowd of fellow super SvenPals everywhere! –C.H. Note: Audio glitches were present from the recording (a result of tech/transmission problems with the local Me-TV affiliate at the hometown of “Silver Screen Reflections,” WTTG).
Extra! Extra! Extra! This Sat., Sept. 28 on the airlanes of WNUR-FM 89.3/WNUR.org at 6 a.m. Eastern/7 a.m. Central, fellow super Svengoolie SvenPal Jamie Lee will be having her live “Jammin’ with Jamie” big broadcast radio show jam session by commemorating Halloween and the 50th anniversary of the classic Hanna-Barbera animated mystery series, “Scooby-Doo!” Plus, Jamie is also looking for additional “Scooby” and “chase”/Halloween songs from her fellow Berwyn/Chicago/coast-to-coast/worldwide jammers via Twitter for upcoming Oct. Halloween-themed jam session biroadcasts of her Sat. morning WNUR-FM radio series, “Jammin’ with Jamie!” Send in links of your favorite Scooby-Doo or Halloween-themed song suggestions to Jamie before this week’s jam session and/or future Oct. Halloween jam sessions Reminder: Jamie’s weekly live jam session big radio broadcasts airs Sat. mornings at 6 a.m. Central/7 a.m. Eastern on the airlanes Northwestern University’s WNUR-FM 89.3 (throughout the greater Berwyn/Chicago/Evanston area) and simulcasting through WNUR.org and/or the TuneIn site/app!
Update: And Jamie will be appearing with the Corn Productions ensemble in the role of Tot in the upcoming Oct. 2019 comedy-horror stage show of “Nightmares on Lincoln Ave.;” beginning on Thurs., Oct. 3 at 8 p.m. (local time)! Just in time for the Halloween season, additional “Nightmares on Lincoln Ave.” stage shows from Corn Productions will take place on Thurs. (Oct. 10 at 8 p.m., local time), Fri. (Oct. 4 and Oct. 11 at 8 p.m., local time and Sat. from early Oct. through early Nov. at Corn Productions’ Cornservatory Theatre complex(4210 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago, Illinois 60618)! Tickets are now available for purchase through Corn Productions’ official “Goldstar” ticket platform (ticket prices are now on sale from $5-$10)! Three cheers, two thumbs up and congratulations to Jamie, the entire crowd “Jammin’ with Jamie” jammers on the upcoming Oct. Halloween/Scooby-Doo 50th jam session/future Halloween jam session cavalvades and the entire Corn players ensemble crowd on their upcoming Berwyn/Chicago stage comedy-horror productions of “Nightmares on Lincoln Ave.!” We’re all proud of you cheering for you and the entire crowd of fellow jammers and the entire Corn players! Peace, kudos, two thumbs up, three cheers and “Hi-Keeba” from the entire crowd of fellow super SvenPals and fellow jammers everywhere! –C.H.
In connection to Bela Lugosi:
In connection to “Dracula” (1931):
“Dracula” (1931) is also available on a deluxe edition Blu-Ray Disc and DVD (with the 1931 Spanish-language edition) from Universal. The film is also available as part of Universal’s “Dracula: The Complete Legacy Collection” Blu-Ray and DVD anthology sets. The film is also available in Universal’s “Universal Classic Monsters: The Essential Collection“(“Universal Monsters: The Essential Collection“) Blu-Ray anthology film compilation set. “Dracula” (1931) is also available for streaming from Universal through participating streaming/video-on-demand service providers.
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