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vadersgirl_reflections

by: vadersgirl33

date posted: Oct 17, 2007 5:34 AM

Revisiting the Classics

As many of you know, I have a profile on myspace- myspace.com/vadersgirl1234. And I know some of you have visited my profile from time to time this month. It's all decked out Halloween style. And one of those pics is Bela Lugosi. You got it- the 1931 film Dracula.

Why am I talking about this film??? Because in a few short weeks Halloween will be here, and I just got done showing it to my oldest padawan last night. He'd never seen it before (he's never seen a Dracula film before, either). So I figured I would show him THAT version first. Why?? Why not start with Bram Stoker's Dracula (say what you want, I loved that film, BTW)??? Well, there are just certain films that, IMO, should be watched by the younger generation before they watch any updated, remade, or sequel movie. Which is why I have encouraged watching the OT Star Wars films before watching the PT. Especially the OOT. There's just something about watching a tall, dark black armorweaved-clad figure with a black cloak and red lightsaber walking through the hatch of the Tantive IV (Ok, WoV, you can stop drooling now!!

). Also, the scene where Han shoots first!! But I digress......

Did you know Dracula celebrated it's 76th birthday since it's release back in 1931???? Whenever people think of Dracula, Bela Lugosi's version is the version most people think of. So, anyhoo, I logged on to the internet and we watched this version. Padawan number one, by the end of the first part, thought it was pretty creepy. He likes it!! He thought the lighting in this film was done really well you didn't need all the gore todays horror movies get into. There's just something about the old movie classics that just say "Creepy!!" And Bela Lugosi does a pretty good job of getting that done. Which is why this version still rates as one of the best horror movies of all time. So, if you haven't seen it, I recommend it. Especially for those who love the classics.

And that is why Bela Lugosi's Dracula is on my page!! Nuff said.

http://blogs.starwars.com/vadersgirl_reflections/51

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FAN4YRS
A Rebel's Ramblings

date Posted: Oct 17, 2007 7:21 AM

I watched that version recently, too. The part that gets me is when Dracula says, "To die, to truly be dead" and goes on to say that there are fates worse than death.

That's a truly scary film for me because I'm a bit of a history buff, and it seems to me that the world was closing down at that point (1931). The United States was in the midst of a depression (which for some was worse than death) and Hitler would, in a mere seven years, have Germany in his grip.

My favorite films to watch at Halloween are the vampire ones, especially "Brides of Dracula" (1960/Hammer Horror)

vadersgirl33
vadersgirl_reflections

date Posted: Oct 17, 2007 7:32 AM

It was a very scary film to watch back then, even without the Great Depression. From what I read on wikipedia, people had seen horror films and plays before, but they always had some kind of comic relief in the story somewhere. This one did not, so it shocked people more. It paid off for Universal, because Frankenstein came a little later.

I like vampire stories, too

	jediprincess77 I Know...
date Posted: Oct 17, 2007 8:07 AM Yay for the classics!! I haven't seen that one in a looooong time. Perhaps I should rent it for Halloween this year.

JediMelindaWolf
Try not. Do. Or do not. There is no try.

date Posted: Oct 17, 2007 9:43 AM

should be watched by the younger generation before they watch any updated, remade, or sequel movie

We are oh so on the same wavelength here, vg!

If you don't mind a little story . . .

Growing up in Chicago, I remember the weekly series "Creature Features" that I would watch with my dad. We'd enjoy the original classics of "Dracula", "Frankenstein" . . . the list goes on. While I am not a fan of today's genre of horror flicks, the classics stand out in my mind. They're great. They were ground-breaking. They leave enough mystery to the imagination.

Probably one of the reasons I enjoy SW so much!

Happy Viewing!
MTFBWY

	nob01 Oil Bath Bubbles
date Posted: Oct 17, 2007 9:58 AM Well done on exposing your youngling to a true classic - and I am delighted that he noticed the lighting, that's not going to happen these days... When you show him Frankenstiend, make sure you highlight the sympathetic nature of Karloff's 'monster' - it still moves me to this day.

	vadersgirl33 vadersgirl_reflections
date Posted: Oct 17, 2007 10:19 AM Perhaps I should rent it for Halloween this year. Good idea! Better do it soon cuz Halloween is almost here. We are oh so on the same wavelength here, vg! Cool!! Another for the classics!! Nobby, that's why the monster is soooo coo!! I love that movie, too!

WifeofVader
Tales from the Death Star

date Posted: Oct 17, 2007 10:23 AM

(Ok, WoV, you can stop drooling now!! ).

What? Huh? Oh.... hello there!

You get me with that one every time!

I am going to have to dig this one up as a rental for Halloween. I honestly have to say that I've never seen that version of Dracula. The only one I've seen was Bram Stroker's Dracula 2000 and, honestly, I didn't care for it.

I think though, that you have described my reasons for liking the OOT better.... the reason I like Nightmare Before Christmas just a bit better than Corpse Bride.... why I like Shrek better than the Shrek 2 & 3.

It has originality that sequels and remakes just can't match.

(cont.)

WifeofVader
Tales from the Death Star

date Posted: Oct 17, 2007 10:27 AM

Wifey hangs onto her towel in case she starts drooling again....

There's just something about watching a tall, dark black armorweaved-clad figure with a black cloak and red lightsaber walking through the hatch of the Tantive IV

Yeah... there is. It was, as we've discussed prior, very impressionable.

Now, and I think I might have a blog idea here but, honestly.... if you had met our dear Lord Vader in 1977 as a little boy would you have loved SW as much as you do having met him as we did?

That's one heck of a question. I think I am indeed going off to post a blog....

Thanks for getting me thinking!

	vadersgirl33 vadersgirl_reflections
date Posted: Oct 17, 2007 10:45 AM I am going to have to dig this one up as a rental for Halloween. I think you'll like it better- it give me the chills, and I've seen it more than once. Quite scary without being gory. Let me know what you think when you do see it! Glad I could inspire you, WoV!! That's what friends are for!!

	jedilily1026 Years Matter Not (Gone Crazy...Be Back Soon)
date Posted: Oct 17, 2007 12:57 PM I just love the old Dracula movies...and Bram Stokers version was great. I also like Frankenstein, Werewolf and practically any other old monster movie around. Godzilla from my childhood...a long time ago...loved it. Tonight I'll take a look at your page on myspace

gencrs
Technical Manuals from The GFFA

date Posted: Oct 17, 2007 1:22 PM

I'm a classic movie fan, myself, but I hate to say I haven't seen that version of Dracula in a long time. I kinda forgot what it looks like. But your opinion on showing the younger generation older movies first is a great idea. It gives them a chance to see who movies were made back then, and if you add the historical perspective on the film it helps to give some background on the film. I'll have to watch the movie again.

vadersgirl33
vadersgirl_reflections

date Posted: Oct 17, 2007 2:25 PM

I just love the old Dracula movies...
That's because they were made in such a way that some things were left to one's imagination. I don't think you get that with today's flicks.

Tonight I'll take a look at your page on myspace
Everyone thought it was cool.

your opinion on showing the younger generation older movies first is a great idea.
Thanks. I thought it was a pretty good idea myself. Now he wants to see the Boris Karloff Frankenstein.

	The Stooge Star Wars Joke-A-Day (on break)
date Posted: Oct 17, 2007 2:41 PM The classics never die! Kinda like the Count himself... For a cool companion viewing, check out 1994's Ed Wood. It's brilliant!

	vadersgirl33 vadersgirl_reflections
date Posted: Oct 17, 2007 3:24 PM The classics never die! Kinda like the Count himself... Is that why Bela Lugosi reprised the role for Abbot and Costello Meet Frankenstein??? Hmm...............thanks, Stoogie!!

	JediPug1 Like My Father Before Me
date Posted: Oct 17, 2007 4:38 PM Oh, you can't beat Bela Lugosi as the Count!! BTW, have you ever seen Nosferatu? Really creepy... might be too much for little padawans, but it's a good movie! :::::going to check out your MySpace page:::::

	leia19886 Someone get this big walking carpet out of my way ...
date Posted: Oct 17, 2007 6:03 PM Dracula is sooooooooooo cool!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I liked Gary Oldman in Bram Stoker's verson. I've not seen Bela Lugosi verson. I'll have to check it out

vadersgirl33
vadersgirl_reflections

date Posted: Oct 18, 2007 3:55 AM

Oh, you can't beat Bela Lugosi as the Count!
Too true, though many have tried!!!
No, never saw Nosferatu]/i]. Heard of it, though.

I liked Gary Oldman in Bram Stoker's version. I've not seen Bela Lugosi version. I'll have to check it out
Believe me, it's worth it!! Especially when they get a close-up of his face and he has no lines to say. Supposed to be mind suggestion. The early movies knew how to leave certain things to the imagination.
I do like the Gary Oldman version of Dracula, directed by Francis Ford Coppola.

brooklooineghost
Just a simple mom trying to make my way in the (expanded) universe

date Posted: Oct 18, 2007 4:29 PM

Bela Lugosi is AWESOME as Dracula! When I was a tot (a thousand years ago), the black-and-white creepy classics used to come on on Saturday mornings, and me and my grandmom used to watch them together.

Now that I think of it, I have to get my padawan to watch them too!

Gary Oldman why is he so sexy to me in HP and Dracula, but not so much in other stuff? Maybe that says something about what a good actor he is, 'cause I was always fascinated by Dracula, and I was half in love with Sirius long beofre I ever saw his character portrayed on film.

	vadersgirl33 vadersgirl_reflections
date Posted: Oct 18, 2007 6:27 PM Bela Lugosi is AWESOME as Dracula! I couldn't agree more. Thanks, Brook! Now that I think of it, I have to get my padawan to watch them, too! Trust me, your padawan won't be disappointed!!

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