THE DRACULA LEGACY: A CLASSIC MONSTERS OF THE MOVIES TRIBUTE

Classic Monsters of the Movies' Nige Burton & Jamie Jones continue their analysis of one of the most iconic, horror figures ever conceived, Count Dracula. Through The Dracula Legacy: A Celebration of Bram Stoker's Vampire on Screen, the historians bring Dracula's cinematic history full circle, in a way that will please both avid novices and seasoned connoisseurs.   

The periodical's frightful, front-cover collage captures the 36-pg edition's breathtaking expanse, which entails the varied ways that Bram Stoker's world-shaking novel influenced audiences, not only with fright, but forbidding romance. 

Among the movies featured are F.W. Murnau/Max Schreck's Nosferatu 1922, Werner Herzog/Klaus Kinski's Nosferatu 1979, E. Elias Merhige/Wilhem Dafoe's Shadow of the Vampire, Tod Browning/Bela Lugosi's Dracula, George Melford/Carlos Vellarias' Dracula, Lambert Hillyer/Gloria Holden's Dracula's Daughter, Robert Siodmak/Lon Chaney Jr.'s Son of Dracula, Erie C. Kenton's House of Frankenstein & House of Dracula (the latter two with John Carradine), Terence Fisher/Christopher Lee's (Horror of) Dracula, plus its many sequels, Jess Franco's Count Dracula (again with Lee), Philipe Saville/Louis Jourdan's Count Dracula, Paul Landres/Francis Lederer's The Return (Curse) of Dracula, Paul Morrisey/Udo Kier's (Andy Warhol's) Blood for Dracula, John Badham/Frank Langella's Dracula, Dan Curtis/Jack Palance's Bram Stoker's Dracula, Francis Ford Coppola/Gary Oldman's Bram Stoker's Dracula, Patrick Lussier/Gerard Butler's Dracula 2000, Marc Gatiss/Steven Moffat/Claes Bang's Dracula, William Crain/William Marshall's Blacula and many more (both known and obscure) to get one's jugular throbbing. 

The contents are printed on high-quality paper, with vivid black-and-white and color photos, accompanied by rare, promotional materials. 

The Dracula Legacy is a fabulous tribute, which for the curious, grants the essentials, and for those well entrenched in the atmospheric loop, it will bestow hours of lurid reminiscing. 

Order now, and one will receive an exquisite art print of the magazine's mesmerizing cover, suitable for framing. Be astute and take advantage of this grand, Gothic opportunity: 

https://www.classic-monsters.com/shop/product/the-dracula-legacy-luxury-guide-signed-art-print/

 

FOR THE FUN OF IT:

 

I SAW NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD (2026)

The latest Night of the Living Dead, aka Night of the Rising Dead, directed by Christopher Douglas-Olen Ray, produced by Fred Olen Ray and scripted by Jared Cohn, is a fun, unpretentious offering, which doesn't try to retell George A. Romero and John A. Russo's zombie classic with precision, but rather supplies a sideline, alternate view of the flesh-feasting events featured in it.    

The story starts during dusk at Beekman's Diner (referenced by Duane Jones' Ben in the 1968 version), where an infected employee spreads the disease. (The sequence is energetic and gruesome and, therefore, in synch with the menacing mythology.) 

The spirited Vivica A. Fox's Ellie becomes this tale's surrogate Ben, teaming with Brittney Underwood's Barbara (who does a swell job channeling Judith O'Dea, not only in appearance, but in the way she runs). The two are soon joined by Tom (writer Cohn), Judy (Eva Ceja), Harry (Richard Gabi), Helen (Jon Mack) and little Karen (Emily Rose Hitt). Together they deliver the heated exchanges one would expect.

The late, great Robert Carradine portrays Bill Cardille, the sporadic, "Chilly Billy" field reporter, with Miko (Pet Sematary 1989) Hughes as his cameraman, and the ever-ravishing Maria Paris as Angie, their on-location boss, who presses Bill to broadcast as much violence as he can to harness high ratings. (Angie's request, perhaps, establishes the movie's philosophical slant, which emphasizes the need for beguiling sensationalism over sensibility. This motif, in turn, recalls Romero's media denouncement in Diary of the Dead.) 

Among the further supporting cast, wrestling superstar Rob Van Dam plays an ardent zombie hunter, who rallies his troops to strike down the living dead. Genre favorite Dee Wallace plays a doomed waitress; Zack Ward plays Johnny; and Brandon Lee Ward plays Phil, whose diner death is as poignant as it's shocking.

As a wise, throwback tactic, the zombies wear an old-school look (never exaggerated, just believable). Michael Soo's cinematography is crisp and bright (even in the shadowy scenes), and John Jensensky's score captures the frightening vibe of the original's stock-music compilation. 

I realize that some devotees of the original NOTLD will reject this version, just as they have previous takes, but if one can tuck away the snobbery and go with the flamboyant flow, this new effort will entertain or, in the least, grant some handy escapism for one's Halloween. (Stream it on Amazon!)

FOR THE FUN OF IT:

 

NOSFERATU 1922: BOUND BROOK ARTS CTR, 10 HAMILTON ST, BOUND BROOK, NJ (OCT 25)

COLLECTIBLE TIME: ROCK BAKER'S CARTOON CUTIES 2027 PINUP CALENDAR

Famed artist/creator Rock Baker has produced an ideal companion piece to his She's the Tops!/Flora 2027 Calendar (see early-October post). It's a glorious Cartoon Cuties 2027 Pinup Calendar, published by PhoenixSinsStudio.

The 16.5 " x 5.5 " calendar features an enchanting cover lifted from Cartoon Cuties #9 and celebrates a number of Creek Bend's Annies, including Crissy Carrots, Minerva Mallen, Dixie North and Yvette Pond. Even Roger Ralphwit is on board for the fun. 

The artwork is beyond exquisite, with a color scheme that pops with unabashed cheer. There's no doubt that Baker's cute queue will fill one's heart with joy each day of each month. 

Gear up for a new year with Rock Baker's Cartoon Cuties 2027 Pinup Calendar. It's available at Etsy: 

https://www.etsy.com/listing/4592001604/cartoon-cuties-pin-up-calendar-2027-rock?fbclid=IwY2xjawU2WjNleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBwZG9mBXNydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR6zzMnmTwyPmvGhHxhGYkG-butfSeJUwukw7NZItS1D852mppO5TsXHz1E1dw_aem_YbUERetTHm5qx6JxundJrw

PINUP TIME: YVONNE DE CARLO IS LILY MUNSTER (BY FREDERICK COOPER)