Drácula (1931) (Spanish Version) ***1/2

George Melford’s Drácula (1931) utilized the same sets as Tod Browning’s production (review), shooting with a Spanish cast at night after the American crew would wrap each day, and was released a few weeks following the more well-known US classic. While the performances can be just as stiff as Browning’s film, there is a certain flair that only a Spanish cast can bring (though Carlos Villarías, while engaging and quite good, is certainly no Bela Lugosi). 

Overall the cinematography is less dramatic, but there are a few differing, atmospheric shots that are superior in Melford’s version. There’s also a sexual suggestiveness (courtesy of Lupita Tovar) in the Spanish production not present in the American version. One area where the Spanish version suffers is being 30 minutes longer—the longest of all the classic Universal Monsters movies and longer than it needs to be to tell this story (in this era of moviemaking). All in all, while not quite as good as Melford’s film, Drácula is a fascinating companion piece.

(Classic) Universal Monsters Films Ranked