Son of Dracula

[Count_Zirock]

For those interested, Titan Books is re-releasing all three previously published "Anno Dracula" books ("Anno-Dracula," "The Bloody Red Baron," and "Dracula Cha-cha-cha"), with new material added to each by author Kim Newman. Then, in October '12, they'll publish the fourth book, "Johnny Alucard."

[Rich]

As far as the Renfield discssion goes, in the Lugosi film we see he is a normal guy. Then Bela does "something" to him in one of those classic fade to black, finish the image in your imagionation scenes. We do not know conclusively what he did, but it is safe to assume he has hypnotised Renfield to do his biding the same way he hypnotizes that woman to tell Dr. Seward about the telephone call and then made her forget about it.

[SearsHicks]

Watched it many times with my friends..It's been such a wonderful movie of that time, we still remember every shot.

[Rich]

Welcome Sears. I think Son of Dracula is a very good film as well. Lon Chaney was amazing as the vampire in this film. I also liked the witch doctor lady, and the woman who Lon chose as his wife, the one who gained immortality through Lon only to share it with the man she really loved.

[Unknown Primate]

I watched it again Saturday night and it was better than ever!

[Earth 2 Chris]

Another newbie here. I watched "Son" all the way through last Halloween for the first time, and I have to say, I was presently surprised. The setting and story are actually very original, and the movie is rather atmospheric. I remember seeing the Hasbro 12" figure of Chaney as Dracula back in the 90s thinking he was totally miscast there, but I have to say I prefer him over John Carradine, and definitely over most modern Draculas! His physical size added to his presence.

Chris

[Rich]

I enjoyed Chaney and Carradine very well as the character. I espacially love seeing them actually transform from bat to human to bat. Those are always very cool scenes.

[Zackuth]

I have always thought the Son of Dracula was a descendant (son) of Dracula.  Now, as the first Dracula died, the son would have inherited the mantle of Count, making the statement of Chaney's character being Count Dracula accurate, and the vampire's arrogance could account for the statement of being the "real" Count Dracula.

As for the thoughts about Renfield--we know those who are bitten by a vampire and die become vampires, but what happens to those who are bitten and still live?  They become...influenced, controlled, slaves...to the vampire who bit them.  We saw this behavior in Mina after she was bit but had not died.  Dracula's control over Renfield was such that he exhibited vampire qualities.

[Rich]

As far as Renfield, I don't think he was truely a vampire. I think he was just hypnotised.

For Lon's version of Dracula. I think Dracula came back from the dead or undead again. House of Dracula showed us that as long as the steak is removed Dracula can return. So, what if one of the Brides which would have been in the castle the entire time remoed the steak some time during or after the events of Dracula's Daughter. Dracula is a shape shifter, so he no doubt can change his human form (Bela, Lon, John).

[Count_Zirock]

I believe Universal purposely left the Count's identity ambiguous in "Son of Dracula." They were looking to see audience reaction to Chaney Jr's Dracula. But, once "Frankenstein Meets the Wolf Man" laid the groundwork for the monster rally flicks, it didn't matter. Since continuity was iffy, at best, from film to film, it was easier to recast Count Dracula yet again with Carradine.
And, remember, film continuity never jibed with literary continuity, when it came to Dracula. Bela's Count was staked at Carfax Abbey and his body burned in England. Chaney's Count was burned by daylight in Louisiana. Yet, Carradine's Count was supposedly staked at Castle Dracula, prior to his resurrection at the hands of Karloff. (Which still contradicts Stoker!)

As for Renfield, I believe it was stated in Stoker's novel that, upon his natural death, Dracula would be able to raise him from the dead as one of the undead. That seemed to be the direction the movie was heading, until Dracula made the decision to flee back to Transylvania with Mina. Renfield would have again needed to act as Dracula's daytime agent. Once they reached Castle Dracula, he might have been turned. More likely, Dracula would have betrayed and destroyed the now unnecessary Renfield.

[horror1o1]

I have always thought the Son of Dracula was a descendant (son) of Dracula.  Now, as the first Dracula died, the son would have inherited the mantle of Count, making the statement of Chaney's character being Count Dracula accurate, and the vampire's arrogance could account for the statement of being the "real" Count Dracula.

As for the thoughts about Renfield--we know those who are bitten by a vampire and die become vampires, but what happens to those who are bitten and still live?  They become...influenced, controlled, slaves...to the vampire who bit them.  We saw this behavior in Mina after she was bit but had not died.  Dracula's control over Renfield was such that he exhibited vampire qualities.

I was just about to mention the inheriting of the title. Ya beat me to it.lol!

[Zackuth]

I was just about to mention the inheriting of the title. Ya beat me to it.lol!

Golly gee willikers, if I'd only have known...

[horror1o1]

Golly gee willikers, if I'd only have known...

lol!

[Count_Zirock]

I have always thought the Son of Dracula was a descendant (son) of Dracula.  Now, as the first Dracula died, the son would have inherited the mantle of Count, making the statement of Chaney's character being Count Dracula accurate, and the vampire's arrogance could account for the statement of being the "real" Count Dracula.

I've never bought that. I agree with Tom Weaver, that "Son of Dracula" served as a reboot of the character, without having to explain away the previous continuity. Since there was no direct sequel, it basically serves as a standalone tale.

[Rich]

Perhaps Count Alucard and Countess Zeleska were offsprings of Count Dracula. He DID have three wives. When he wasn't biting people, I think he was a "busy" count.