Dracula's Daughter (1936)

This is a moody horror film sequel to the 1931 "Dracula" film. "Dracula's Daughter" was made in 1936 and was directed by Lambert Hillyer. The stars include Otto Kruger and Gloria Holden. 

Set in both London and Transylvania, this film is about the beautiful daughter of Count Dracula. At the beginning of the film, Dracula has been killed by the vampire hunter, the Doctor Von Helsing. Watching over Dracula's burning body is his daughter named Countess Marya Zaleska. She visits Chelsea in London, England, searching for victims. She romanticises about becoming a living woman enjoying daylight, instead of a vampire at night. Despite her pleas for help, she's unable to control her bloodthirsty nature and look for more victims. It's one of those films that should last for several more hours! 

Fun facts: The body of Dracula is a waxwork figure of Bela Lugosi. This film might've had a curse, when director Lambert Hillyer had an accident during filming on Friday the 13th. While "Dracula's Daughter" is loosely based on the story "Dracula's Guest" by Bram Stoker, other parts of the film was loosely based on "Carmilla" by Sheridan le Fanu. 

Info: Many people have said there is subtle lesbianism in the film, when the countess insists that her female victim strip off. The countess was hoping to overcome her desire to drink blood.

Warning: Sandor is scarier than the vampire countess.

Rating: 7/10. 

The Oval Portrait (1972)

This is a 1972 horror/supernatural film directed by Rogelio A. Gonzales, and the stars include Wanda Hendrix, Barry Coe and Maray Ayres. 

A very gothic manor house with a stormy setting, a stage coach arrives with an elderly woman Mrs Buckingham and her daughter, Lisa, who visit the estate since a relative died. They were to meet with a lawyer about a will left by the deceased owner, the brother of Mrs Buckingham. Due to the storm, the lawyer and other family members are delayed until the next day. It means that Lisa has to stay overnight even though she's already worried that it's haunted. In the house is a portrait painting of a mysterious woman named Rebecca, whose spirit remains in the house and can't rest. 

Rating: A chill vote from me 2/10  

Fun facts: This film is loosely based on a story called "The Oval Portrait" by Edgar Allan Poe. According to Internet Movie Database, this film is combined with another film, "One Minute Before Death" with the same actors. Other websites have said both "The Oval Portrait" and "One Minute Before Death" are the same. It's unclear if "The Oval Portrait" simply goes by another name or was blended with a second film (brain hurts thinking about it). I just haven't the foggiest.

Warning: There is a scene with necrophilia.

Howls ^^ Blood Strawberry

Count Dracula (1977)

 

This is a 1977 horror TV film, based on the novel "Dracula" by Bram Stoker. It was directed by Philip Saville and the cast list includes Louis Jourdan, Frank Finlay and Judi Bowker. 

Dracula shows his fangs, in a very creepy story is set in both Transylvania and Whitby, as the film here is. There are some very creepy moments, and the vampires behave like phantoms. Dracula transforms into a bat, and a wolf. The damsels in distress, Lucy and Mina, are sisters in this version. It comes across as cold, dark and eerie, with some stormy atmosphere. The temperatures dropped when watching this awesome Dracula film.

Fun facts: This film was made by the BBC. It's been regarded by everyone as more faithful to the book although there are a lot of differences. The founder of the Dracula Society, Bruce Wightman, has a cameo in this film.

Warning: The vampire brides really don't care.

Rating: 7/10

Blood Strawberry.      

Sleeping Beauty (2014)

This Asylum fantasy horror film "Sleeping Beauty" made in 2014, was directed by Casper Van Dien. The stars include Finn Jones, Olivia D'abo and Catherine Oxenberg. 

A baby princess Dawn is put under a curse by Tambria, an evil witch, so the king has spinning wheels burned. Years later Dawn grows up to be a pretty princess but she's tricked into pricking her finger on a rogue spindle, and falls into a deep sleep. The entire kingdom then sleeps, and it falls under the power of Tambria. Far away, a century later, a man called Barrow discovers the story of the sleeping princess Dawn, and finds a map to her kingdom. The prince finds it and sets off on a dangerous journey. This is a really different take on the traditional fairy tale and is so much darker than the Disney version. 

Fun facts: Barrow is played by Finn Jones who was Loras Tyrell "knight of the flowers" in Game of Thrones. Tambria resembles Aurora of the Disney animation and is played by Olivia D'abo who was the princess in Conan the Destroyer. The film was released in the same year as Maleficent.  

Warning: It's even got zombies in it!

Rating: A good  9/10.

Review by Blood Strawberry. 🌹