Joyce Compton - "Scared To Death"

While perusing the Classic Horror Film Board forum this morning, I came across a thread on the movie Scared To Death starring Bela Lugosi and George Zucco.

This jogged a memory of the 1980s when I met actress Joyce Compton (January 27, 1907 – October 13, 1997), who was in the movie's cast. I posted this on the thread:

Back in the 1980s, I was a member of the Laurel & Hardy group "Sons of the Desert." The L.A. group, "Way Out West" tent, held a banquet at the Sportsman's Lodge in Studio City. In attendance were such luminaries as Hal Roach, Sr., Hank Worden and others.





I found myself fortunate to be seated next to Joyce Compton, who was a co-star of Scared To Death. When we were seated, I looked at her name tag and said, "Joyce Compton! I remember you in Scared To Death!" She was so thrilled (or "tickled to death") that I remembered her in the movie.

We had a nice chat about Bela. Good times!

Scared To Death was a melodrama produced in 1947 and was the only color movie with Lugosi in a leading role.

According to Wikipedia:

Scared to Death (1947) is a horror film directed by Christy Cabanne and starring Bela Lugosi. It was filmed in Cinecolor, is one of only three color pictures Lugosi made, and the only one he starred in. The film is notable for its narration by a dead woman — she describes the events leading up to her death.

The dead woman gives her narration from a coroner's slab.

Universal Centennial - Restoring the Classics - A Lifetime of Memories

Universal Pictures is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year, and to celebrate, they are doing some great things.

Here's what Universal Pictures posted:

Universal will mark its 100th anniversary in 2012, and will commemorate its centennial with a yearlong celebration honoring the studio's rich film history and cultural legacy. The campaign draws its inspiration from Universal's extraordinary and diverse library of films, many of which will be highlighted throughout the year, and is designed to engage fans of all ages in the art of moviemaking.

A significant element of the centennial includes the extensive restoration of 13 of the studio's most beloved titles such as To Kill a Mockingbird, All Quiet on the Western Front, Jaws, The Sting, Out of Africa, Frankenstein and Schindler's List.

Also included in the centennial restoration project is the 1931 Dracula starring Bela Lugosi and the 1931 Spanish version. Besides Frankenstein, Universal is restoring Bride of Frankenstein (1935) starring Boris Karloff.

Here is a 9-minute YouTube video Universal posted on the restoration:

Passings of Note

There are two recent passings of note:

Richard Gordon, Producer




The Los Angeles Times reported:

Richard Gordon, a B-moviemaker whose credits as a producer and executive producer of science fiction and horror films included "Fiend Without a Face" and "The Haunted Strangler," has died. He was 85.

The British-born Gordon died Tuesday at New York-Presbyterian Hospital in New York City. He had been hospitalized in recent months for heart problems, said Tom Weaver, a friend.

Andy Rooney, Commentator


Andy Rooney, who was a mainstay of CBS's 60 Minutes, passed away at age 92 last night in New York. His death came hardly a month after delivering his last commentary on 60 Minutes.

10 Life-Changing Movie Roles that Actors Turned Down

Bela Lugosi turned down the role of the Monster in Frankenstein which allowed Boris Karloff to become a star and eclipse Lugosi.

There are other examples where an actor turned down a role which, in hindsight, may have adversely affected their careers or could've been a big boost.

Here's list of 10 Life-Changing Movie Roles that Actors Turned Down for your review.

"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.