"Dracula" (1931) Appreciated

Some people these days put down the Todd Browning 1931 Dracula. This was the movie that made Bela Lugosi a star, for better or for worse.

This was the first talking movie that dealt with an actual supernatural character and opened the floodgates for more supernatural/horror movies.

Sure, the movie is stagy (it is heavily influenced by the stage play, upon which it is based) and "clunky" in spots. The Spanish version moves better (it was filmed at night on the Universal lot using the Lugosi sets), but it is the Lugosi version that has lasted over the years. It is truly a motion picture classic and Lugosi's Count Dracula is iconic. His Dracula is the one people remember (the look, the Hungarian accent) and imitate.

It is remarkable that this year marks 80 years since Dracula premiered (on Valentine's Day in 1931). 20 years from now, Lugosi's Dracula will be 100 years old. That's even more remarkable.