''Dracula'' (1931)

By Crusader1307

The Screen version of The King of The Vampires rose from the grave in 1931, when Hungarian Actor Bela Lugosi resurrected Dracula from a successful London stage play. Base loosely on the Bram Stoker novel, Lugosi immortalized The Count (giving him many of the now iconic views when have come to expect of Dracula). The cape, ring and hypnotic stare (to control the weak minded) -  all have been incorporated into the Dracula mythos. This was a far cry from the German Silent film of 1922 called Nosferatu. Enter a little known (then), British independent film Studio named Hammer Films. Having experimented with the horror genre with Frankenstein (and then unknown British Actor Christopher Lee), the Studio naturally tried The Count (again with Lee). In 1958, the Studio gambled with The Horror of Dracula. In color and featuring foreboding sets and vast amounts of stage blood, Lee completely revamped The Count. Tall, handsome and very scary, Lee was an immediate hit as Dracula. Lee reprised his role no less than 8 times as The Count. The character propelled Hammer Studios into a powerful monster making machine (on par with Universal Studios in the 1930s and 40s). Since the Count's decline in 1974 on film  other successful attempts were made to film Dracula. Dan Curtis (of Dark Shadows TV fame), made a version with Jack Palace for TV. It was a rating hit that explored Dracula's  back story and established The Count's pathos. Another block buster attempt was made by Francis Ford Coppola in 1992. Bram Stoker's Dracula. Keeping more in track with Stoker's novel, the big budget film with British Actor Gary Oldman was an excellent take. Dracula has yet again been brought back to life in 2014 with Dracula Untold . This version incorporates a more supernatural (and a tad implausible form into the Dracula mythos). Regardless of which you prefer, after 80 years of Dracula menacing the small and big Screen, he will no doubt continue on for eternity (as The Count would no doubt appreciate!).