- Actors: John Beal, Coleen Gray, Kenneth Tobey, Lydia Reed, Dabbs Greer
- Directors: Paul Landres
- Writers: Pat Fielder
- Producers: Arthur Gardner, Arnold Laven, Jules V. Levy
- Format: Colour, DVD-Video, NTSC
- Language English
- Region: Region 1 (US and Canada DVD formats.)
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9 - 1.85:1
- Number of discs: 1
- Classification: Unrated (US MPAA rating. See details.)
- Studio: MGM (Video & DVD)
- DVD Release Date: 11 Sep 2007
- Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
- ASIN: B000UDGOBG
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 56,525 in Film & TV (See Top 100 in Film & TV)
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Amazon Verified Purchase
It really is one of the best monochrome transfers from films of this period (the mid-late 50's) that I've seen. It is very sharp throughout on both these films. Subtitles are also provided. They both have the same writer/director/producer team.
The Return Of Dracula had, or has, a certain cachet, not quite cult, but a fond respect ffrom horror movie fans. Unfortunately it hasn't worn very well and, while for the period it was moderately chilling, it now seems stiff and mannered. I've also come to hate (the portrayal of) 50's teens in these horror movies with a vengeance. I'm surprised the kids at the time didn't burn down the cinema for the patronising way in which they were presented (unless American teens really were like that).
The Vampire is pretty tame and everyone in the cast behaves with remarkable stupidity when it's blatantly obvious who the killer is.
Still, what a great transfer.
The Return Of Dracula had, or has, a certain cachet, not quite cult, but a fond respect ffrom horror movie fans. Unfortunately it hasn't worn very well and, while for the period it was moderately chilling, it now seems stiff and mannered. I've also come to hate (the portrayal of) 50's teens in these horror movies with a vengeance. I'm surprised the kids at the time didn't burn down the cinema for the patronising way in which they were presented (unless American teens really were like that).
The Vampire is pretty tame and everyone in the cast behaves with remarkable stupidity when it's blatantly obvious who the killer is.
Still, what a great transfer.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Amazon Verified Purchase
I have to say I quite enjoyed this double bill, having watched both movies in one sitting. They make a good pairing, as both were written for the screen by Pat Fielder, produced by Jules V.Levy and Arthur Gardner and directed by Paul Landres. Gerald Fried also composed the music for them. Having been released in 1958 and 1957 respectively, they are not full of blood and gore, but rely more on characterisation and a well-told story.
'The Return Of Dracula' ( aka 'The Curse Of Dracula' ) stars Francis Lederer in the title role, who comes to stay with a family in a small American town, posing as their European cousin. His intention , of course, is to make vampires of them. Francis Lederer certainly looks the part and he has the right accent, having been born in Czechoslovakia.
'The Vampire' ( aka 'Mark Of The Vampire' ) stars John Beal as a small-town American physician who rather stupidly swallows some pills entrusted to him by a scientist who has just died in mysterious circumstances. The effect of the pills is to turn him into a blood-sucking vampire who kills his victims at night. The storyline is really more Dr.Jekyll and Mr.Hyde than Dracula. The excellent Kenneth Tobey plays the town sheriff.
These movies are in black and white and in widescreen. The quality is superb.
'The Return Of Dracula' ( aka 'The Curse Of Dracula' ) stars Francis Lederer in the title role, who comes to stay with a family in a small American town, posing as their European cousin. His intention , of course, is to make vampires of them. Francis Lederer certainly looks the part and he has the right accent, having been born in Czechoslovakia.
'The Vampire' ( aka 'Mark Of The Vampire' ) stars John Beal as a small-town American physician who rather stupidly swallows some pills entrusted to him by a scientist who has just died in mysterious circumstances. The effect of the pills is to turn him into a blood-sucking vampire who kills his victims at night. The storyline is really more Dr.Jekyll and Mr.Hyde than Dracula. The excellent Kenneth Tobey plays the town sheriff.
These movies are in black and white and in widescreen. The quality is superb.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
23 reviews
56 of 56 people found the following review helpful
A lost classic! And a lost....well, decent b-movie
5 Aug 2007
Amazon Verified Purchase
Classic horror fans rejoice! Return of Dracula, though previously available on VHS, has been out-of-print for years. If you've never seen it, it's a suprisingly well-done black & white horror film from 1958.
In a plot that, oddly enough, echoes Hitchcock's Shadow of a Doubt, Count Dracula (a sublime Francis Lederer) relocates to California to live with supposed relatives. And although it's unrelated to the Hammer Films' Dracula films of the same period, it certainly holds its own against those more-polished efforts. The vampire's demise is somewhat graphic for the time.
The Vampire, while arguably the lesser film here, is by no means a waste of time. John Beal generates sympathy as a small-down doctor afflicted with the "disease" of vampirism. Fifties genre favorite Kenneth Tobey is on hand as the local sheriff. While both of these films are basically drive-in stuff, The Vampire's low-budget roots are more obvious, particularly in some laughably-bad make-up work.
If you've been through most or all of the films in the Hammer, AIP or similar catalogs, you're in for a real treat here. Highly recommended for Return of Dracula alone.
In a plot that, oddly enough, echoes Hitchcock's Shadow of a Doubt, Count Dracula (a sublime Francis Lederer) relocates to California to live with supposed relatives. And although it's unrelated to the Hammer Films' Dracula films of the same period, it certainly holds its own against those more-polished efforts. The vampire's demise is somewhat graphic for the time.
The Vampire, while arguably the lesser film here, is by no means a waste of time. John Beal generates sympathy as a small-down doctor afflicted with the "disease" of vampirism. Fifties genre favorite Kenneth Tobey is on hand as the local sheriff. While both of these films are basically drive-in stuff, The Vampire's low-budget roots are more obvious, particularly in some laughably-bad make-up work.
If you've been through most or all of the films in the Hammer, AIP or similar catalogs, you're in for a real treat here. Highly recommended for Return of Dracula alone.
31 of 33 people found the following review helpful
Classic Double Bill Now On DVD.
28 Aug 2007
Amazon Verified Purchase
I have waited for years to see these titles on DVD and at last they are finally here. Anyone who grew up watching late night horror shows on local TV probably saw these films at one time or another especially THE RETURN OF DRACULA. Both were made by Gramercy Productions a division of Levy-Gardner-Laven, an outfit that produced shows for television in the 50's and 60's (most notably THE RIFLEMAN and THE BIG VALLEY).
What sets these 2 films apart from other B-movie horrors of the era are the use of once major stars (Francis Lederer, John Beal) who were really good actors, maximum use of their minimum budgets (like Val Lewton in the 40's), and the fact that both screenplays were written by a woman (Pat Fielder who did Hitchcock's SHADOW OF A DOUBT) which gives a slightly different perspective to the proceedings where you wind up caring more about the characters most notably John Beal in THE VAMPIRE. Unlike Val Lewton's pictures these are 1950's films and both contain some truly graphic moments which are still effective today.
Of the two my personal favorite is THE VAMPIRE although THE RETURN OF DRACULA is overall the better film. Excellent black and white photography and effective background music contribute to the overall atmosphere. While the low budget shows through from time to time and John Beal's make-up is a mixed bag (although THE VAMPIRE is a Jekyll/Hyde story rather than a supernatural one), if you're a fan of low budget 50's horror films than these both deliver the goods.
Now if MIDNITE MOVIES (which says MGM but is owned by Fox) would just double up THE MONSTER THAT CHALLENGED THE WORLD and THE FLAME BARRIER (the other two Gramercy films made at the same time) then that would be a real cause for celebration. You could then compare them with the Richard Gordon English horror/sci-fi films (see my Listmania lists) made at the same time and boy would that be a trip.
What sets these 2 films apart from other B-movie horrors of the era are the use of once major stars (Francis Lederer, John Beal) who were really good actors, maximum use of their minimum budgets (like Val Lewton in the 40's), and the fact that both screenplays were written by a woman (Pat Fielder who did Hitchcock's SHADOW OF A DOUBT) which gives a slightly different perspective to the proceedings where you wind up caring more about the characters most notably John Beal in THE VAMPIRE. Unlike Val Lewton's pictures these are 1950's films and both contain some truly graphic moments which are still effective today.
Of the two my personal favorite is THE VAMPIRE although THE RETURN OF DRACULA is overall the better film. Excellent black and white photography and effective background music contribute to the overall atmosphere. While the low budget shows through from time to time and John Beal's make-up is a mixed bag (although THE VAMPIRE is a Jekyll/Hyde story rather than a supernatural one), if you're a fan of low budget 50's horror films than these both deliver the goods.
Now if MIDNITE MOVIES (which says MGM but is owned by Fox) would just double up THE MONSTER THAT CHALLENGED THE WORLD and THE FLAME BARRIER (the other two Gramercy films made at the same time) then that would be a real cause for celebration. You could then compare them with the Richard Gordon English horror/sci-fi films (see my Listmania lists) made at the same time and boy would that be a trip.
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful
LITTLE GEM CALLED THE RETURN OF DRACULA COMES TO DVD AS A DOUBLE FEATURE!
28 May 2008
Amazon Verified Purchase
This little known gem 'The Return Of Dracula is making it's debut on DVD! It's about time and as a bonus it's on this double feature disc with 'The Vampire'! The Return Of Dracula is a very solid Vampire movie with good pacing and decent atmosphere. The acting is above average for this sort of movie and it has one of the most memorable endings in vampire movie history. Francis Lederer is menacing as the count with his black eyes and his deep facial lines. I did notice in one instance that when one of Dracula's wives got staked the picture turned to color to show the blood......Something I missed as a kid growing up with B&W TV and watching these on Creature Feature. I didn't remember that much about either of these films until I watched them on an HD Channel and then checked the quality on the DVD. Both prints seem to be in very good condition, but unfortunately the disc has no extras. 'The Return Of Dracula' is a much better film than other, but 'The Vampire' is hard to hate and it's a "Hoot Ta Boot"! This is an excellent double feature disc for old horror buffs.
1) The Return Of Dracula 4 Stars
2) The Vampires 2 1/2 Stars
1) The Return Of Dracula 4 Stars
2) The Vampires 2 1/2 Stars
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