Happy Valentine's Day (Love Never Dies...Neither Does DRACULA!)

Today is Valentine's Day. It's also the anniversary of the 1931 Universal horror classic "Dracula," starring Bela Lugosi.
The first sound adaptation of the Bram Stoker novel, it was based more on the 1924 stage play and directed by Tod Browning. The role of the legendary vampire was immortalized by horror icon Lugosi.
Though he received good reviews for his stage performance of the character, he wasn't originally considered for the role on account of his thick accent. But thankfully he was cast. The role wouldn't have been the same without his portrayal. The great Max Schreck performed the character (called Count Orlok in the film "Nosferatu") and was perhaps more of a proper adaptation of the character. There was just something, however, about Lugosi's stare and movements that created a more romantic version of Dracula. And the actresses that were a part of that production were smitten with him.
Concurrently filmed by Universal Pictures was the Spanish Language version of the film starring Lupita Tovar and was released later in April.
Needless to say, the Lugosi classic was a hit and now lives on as a horror masterwork. Later in the '90's it was given a score by Philip Glass. A fantastic version that I still enjoy to this day.
This film kicked off the now legendary Universal Monsters era, with "The Mummy," "The Invisible Man," "Frankenstein," and "The Wolfman" in the '30's and '40's. It has since made Halloween nuts like myself swoon with ghoulish delight.

"Listen to them! The Children of the Night! WHAT MUSIC THEY MAKE!"