Episode 119: Christopher Lee’s Dracula

You might ask, Why is Planet 8 doing an episode on Dracula in June? Well, when we recorded this, International Dracula Day, May 26th, had just passed, and coincidentally, so had actor Christopher Lee's birthday, on May 27th. Lee, of course, famously portrayed Dracula in a series of movies from Hammer Films spanning the late 50s to early 70s. In this episode, each member of Planet 8 takes a look at a specific Dracula film.

Larry starts us off with the first in the series, Dracula (aka Horror of Dracula), from 1958. This film not only introduced us to Lee's powerful version of the vampire, but also his adversary, Professor Van Helsing, ably played by Peter Cushing.

Karen follows up with the next Lee Dracula film, Dracula, Prince of Darkness (1966). This film is notable for a few things: one, Lee refused to speak any of the lines in the script, so Dracula says nothing in this film! And notably, Van Helsing is absent. Dracula instead faces another vampire hunter, the gruff Father Sandor, played by Andrew Keir.

Bob wraps us up with Dracula has Risen from the Grave (1968). This film is a direct sequel to the previous one. A revived Dracula grows furious that a priest put a cross on his castle door and decides to take vengeance on him. This film shows the ever-growing inventiveness in both reviving and killing the count.

Lee's Dracula is more threatening and more physical than any other Dracula actor we could think of. He doesn't creep around: he leaps, runs, and pounces on his victims. He also has such a commanding presence, not just because of his 6'5" height.  Certainly one can make the case for Lee as the greatest Dracula actor. This is a topic we may revisit!

In our Sensor Sweep, Bob shares his new Ultraman popcorn bucket! It looks pretty much like an Ultraman bust. He also wants to remind you of Ultra-Fest, happening July 21-23 at the 4 Star Theater in San Francisco! Come see Ultraman films, buy Ultraman stuff, and more! 

Going along with our Hammer film theme, Karen shares a favorite book, A Thing of Unspeakable Horror: A history of Hammer Horror Films by Sinclair McKay. If you want to know the story behind how the Hammer horror films came to be made, this is the book to get!

Larry rounds us out with a new acquisition for his tiki bar, a Creature from the Black Lagoon mug from Shrunken Monkey. These were limited edition mugs only available at the Spooky Empire Convention, but Larry had some connections!

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Do not meddle, Van Helsing, or you will have to deal with me!