Customer Reviews

Count Dracula Goes to the Movies: Stoker's Novel Adapted, 1922-1995

5 star:		(2)
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While a scholarly work of high-quality content, organization, and thoughtfulness, this book is easy-to-read and a pleasure to behold!

For any fan of all things gothic/Dracula/vampires, this is a must-have!!!

Similar to Lyndon W. Joslin, I consider my own lifelong avocation, if not vocation, being a Dracula fan -- since my first reading of Stoker's novel in 6th grade in 1965. I would add to that description the fact that I and clearly he both "get it" in my humble opinion, having committed to the novel and the genre long before "Dracula" films were available on video and became rather surprisingly popularized, capitalized, "revived," revised, and Goth'd. Not that there's anything wrong with that! I just always felt that "we" were here "first" -- or at least a lot earlier -- back when being a Dracula fan had no panache or even recognition. I kept up with my reading and viewing, but Joslin took the trouble to write an excellent history, combining honesty about and honor for the spirit of fandom for Stoker, Universal, Hammer, Forry Ackerman, Langella, now Gerard Butler, yes okay Lugosi, and -- still and always dear to my heart -- (Sir!) Christopher Lee -- and so much more. Joslin makes no apologies for the fact that his attentive appreciation for Bram Stoker's undoctored original novel forms the structure of his review, which is not only informative but lots of fun! The switches of heroines' names from Mina & Lucy to Lucy & Mina; the combinations of the greater and lesser male leads and their names; the tinkering with the vampire's powers (he must rest by day -- no, wait, he just has to wear sunglasses...) -- all these apocryphal adjustments of the story to fit cinematic convenience. Joslin acknowledges the need to adapt as necessary to make the movie happen. (And thank you, Mr. Joslin, for confirming that I was not the only one struck by the unfortunate effect of "Mina's" coiffure on Winona Ryder's ears in Coppola's film.) I'm not playing "find the flaw" for non-Stokeresque inspirations; and I'm not a Dracula purist. But I do so appreciate a fellow, well, appreciater! All right, this is a "review" and no reader will believe a commentary so hyperbolic. So, is there anything I'd criticize? Well, though Joslin cites (as almost no one else ever has) 1970's German film "Jonathan," he fails to remark (as he does on other films) the score that so poignantly uses Edvard Grieg's works. It made me a lifelong fan of the composer. One of the great thikngs about Dracula movies is that they bring you into contact with work you might otherwise not discover. Again, Lyndon Joslin gets it; he understands. Best of all, he really does write so well, and is so much fun to read. Nostalgic as I am for the days of watching Shock Theater while babysitting in a neighbor's dark family room at 1:00 a.m. and poring over best-of collections of "Famous Monsters of Filmland," I do love so much about the new age of Dracula fandom in the '90s, the Oh's and since. We now have Web and library access to film and print resources; books are back in print; there are conventions and fellow vampire geeks to connect to -- and I even actually met Mr. Lee a few years ago, courtesy of the Svehlas and Midnight Marquee! It's great to have Lyndon W. Joslin's invaluable book and its exciting revision. And by the way, it's terrific to encounter not just excellent writing on the subject, but to find therein impeccable grammar and spelling. Thanks so much. And I envy you who have not yet read the book. You have much to look forward to.

This is a well written and easy to read book. Joslin takes a scholarly (and not snobbish) look at the Dracula movies made over the past few decades. My only complaint about McFarland books in general is that I wish they contained more photos and illustrations. However, the end-all-be-all of "Dracula at the Movies" books still belongs to Midnight Marquee's Dracula book.