Filmed in the evening at the same time as the Lugosi, in 1931. This time for Spanish audiences. Same marks (places on the set) as the English cast. Technically there are some better camera angles. It tells more of the story. However, the two parts that are better. Are Lupita Tovar, and Barry Norton. Lupita and Barry are more natural and believable. Manners and Chandler were a bit more melodramatic, and honestly, for the characters of Mina and Jonathan, they should have been more sympathetic and easy to root for. Norton and Tovar do a very good job.
However the same can't be said for Villarias, Rubio, and Arozamena. It's not that they didn't try. Just few if any actors can top Lugosi. Had Universal been able to borrow Gilbert Roland, or an unknown that would have been interesting.
There are some shots like the smoke and Villarias rising out of the coffin that look very good. Some shots are taken directly from the English version.
It's not bad, just some scenes are almost bordering on comedy. (The breaking of the mirror, I like the concept of using the walking stick to smash the cigarette box. But the way over the top that is done almost ruins it.)
Lupita and Norton have good chemistry, and seem very natural. So it's creepy to see Eva getting vampiric with her fiancé. Great movie for film buffs. And an interesting take. But it's good, and bad.
Lupita and Norton have good chemistry, and seem very natural. So it's creepy to see Eva getting vampiric with her fiancé. Great movie for film buffs. And an interesting take. But it's good, and bad.
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