The Immortal Count: The Life and Films of Bela Lugosi [Hardcover]

Arthur Lennig (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 27, 2003

" A special leatherbound, signed and numbered edition! Bela Lugosi won immediate fame for his portrayal of the immortal count in the 1931 film Dracula. After a decade of trying vainly to broaden his range and secure parts to challenge his acting abilities, Lugosi resigned himself to a career as the world's most recognizable vampire. His last years were spent as a forgotten and rather tragic figure. When he died in 1956, Lugosi could not have known that vindication of his talent would come -- his face would adorn theaters, his image would appear on greeting cards and postage stamps, his film memorabilia would sell for more than he earned in his entire career, and his Hungarian accent would be instantly recognized by millions of people. Martin Landau's Oscar-winning role as Lugosi in the 1994 film Ed Wood added an ironic twist to a career that had ended in oblivion. In 1974, devoted Lugosi fan Arthur Lennig published a highly regarded biography of the unsung actor. More than twice the length of the original and completely rewritten, The Immortal Count provides deeper insights into Lugosi's films and personality. Drawing upon personal interviews, studio memos, shooting scripts, research in Romania and Hungary, and his own recollections, Lennig has written the definitive account of Lugosi's tragic life.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Lennig's lifelong worship of his subject adds an intensely personal flavor to this biography of the complex horror king, which shines in its ability to respect Lugosi's talent, regardless of personality flaws. A ladies' man and opportunist, Lugosi married his first wife for money, later rewriting her as a great love. After triumphing in Broadway's Dracula, Lugosi (1882-1956) solidified his image with the 1931 film version: as he told the New York Times, "every producer in Hollywood had definitely set me down as a `type.'... I was both amused and bitterly disappointed." Lennig details the key creative tragedy of Lugosi's life: turning down the part of Frankenstein, which enabled Boris Karloff to win it. Lugosi sank permanently to second position in the horror hall of fame. Lennig knowledgeably analyzes every important Lugosi film, and those who don't adore the genre may skim some of the voluminous commentary. But the character details are always engrossing, and Lugosi's declaration that "[e]very actor is somewhat mad, or else he'd be a plumber or a bookkeeper or a salesman" is in keeping with his tormented psyche. Lennig describes the star's last years without maudlin excess, as Lugosi struggles with unemployment, financial problems, depression, drinking and drugs. Like many underappreciated geniuses, Lugosi had to cope with vitriolic reviews; it's heartening that he surmounted them and attained classic status after death. Lennig lucidly illustrates through Lugosi's words why his reputation has continued to grow: "You can't make people believe in you if you play a horror part with your tongue in your cheek... you must believe in it while you are playing it." 75 b&w photos.
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

""The definitive account of Lugosi's tragic life and times."--Turner Classic Movies" --

""A moving, lively, witty, sad book that revives once more the long dead Count Dracula."--Kirkus Reviews" --

""Will stand for a long time as the definitive book about the man who incarnated Dracula, to the great detriment of his career."--Lexington Herald-Leader" --

""In this intelligent biography, Lennig details the talented Hungarian-born actor's five marriages, drug addictions, feuds with Boris Karloff, and appearances in Ed Wood's humiliating movies, drawing on firsthand information, archives, interviews, and years of research."--Library Journal" --

""This book is long overdue and is highly recommended as biography, film history and pop culture. It is the last word on Lugosi."--National Board of Review" --

""Lennig's lifelong worship of his subject adds an intensely personal flavor to this biography of the complex horror king, which shines in its ability to respect Lugosi's talent, regardless of personality flaws."--Publisher's Weekly" --

""Remains passionately personal in its outlook, but thanks to new research and greater availability of films it also offers a more comprehensive and richly detailed study of Bela Lugosi's complex personality."--Paul M. Jensen" --

""One comes away from Lennig's book with a deep respect for both Lugosi and the author himself."--Scary Monsters Magazine" --

""A moving, lively, witty, sad book that revives once more the long dead Count Dracula."--Kirkus" -- Kirkus

""Will stand for a long time as the definitive book about the man who incarnated Dracula, to the great detriment of his career."--Lexington Herald-Leader" -- Lexington Herald-Leader

""Remains passionately personal in its outlook, but thanks to new research and greater availability of films it also offers a more comprehensive and richly detailed study of Bela Lugosi's complex personality."--Paul M. Jensen" -- Paul M. Jensen

""One comes away from Lennig's book with a deep respect for both Lugosi and the author himself."--Scary Monsters Magazine" -- Scary Monsters Magazine

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 560 pages
• Publisher: The University Press of Kentucky (June 27, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0813122732
• ISBN-13: 978-0813122731
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.4 x 1.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #836,160 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars To Die.To be really Dead. That must be glorious! "Dracula", January 23, 2004

By 

Brad Baker (Atherton, Ca United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Immortal Count: The Life and Films of Bela Lugosi (Hardcover)

In 1974 Prof. Arthur Lennig wrote a biography of Bela Lugosi called "The Count". Long out-of-print, I've seen used copies selling on Amazon-internet for as much as $600. In 2000, Lennig penned "Stroheim", a cerebral study, challenging the myths of Stroheim's life. "Stroheim" is now considered the ultimate biography of Erich von Stroheim. In 2003, Lennig released "The Immortal Count", an expanded, re-written analysis of the life and films of Lugosi. Using all new records and actual Hungarian data, Lennig shatters accepted legends; he re-explores this great actor's legacy. Lugosi himself recalled for the press his early starring role in "Hamlet" at Hungary's Royal National Theater. But it never happened. He played only a small supporting role as Rosencrantz. In 1955, at the end of his life, Lugosi voluntarily submitted himself to Los Angeles authorities for drug rehabilitation. "I've been an addict for 20 years!" he proclaimed. It never happened. His fourth wife Lillian(who lived with him for 23 years) testified that he began taking pain-killing medications in 1943. Blessed with grace and talent as a young man, Lugosi acted in plays and films in Hungary and Germany; enticing young women and attracting married ones as well. Appearing on a Los Angeles stage in "Dracula" in 1928, he began a torrid affair with the famous 23-year-old siren Clara Bow. He was 46. After starring in Universal's 1931 "Dracula", and being offered the lead in "Frankenstein", Lugosi enjoyed a few years of glittering Hollywood success. But poor fiscal decisions, bad business managers, five marriages, and horror-film typecasting ushered Lugosi into years of low-paying roles in minor B-Pictures. And no money. From legal records and other information, Lugosi was virtually penniless in 1921, 1924, 1932, 1937-1938, and from 1953 on to his death. So much for the Hollywood dream. Once a proud, old-world European, he now faced hardship and embarrassment. Battling depression and alcoholism, Bela Lugosi died ignored and forgotten in Hollywood on August 16, 1956. His entire estate was valued at less than $1900. "The Immortal Count" bravely dissects the ironic life and amazing legend of one of the 20th Century's greatest performers. In 1931, the horror film industry was born: Universal Pictures' "Dracula". The star, Bela Lugosi, was paid just $3500. Last year, I saw an old Bela Lugosi poster(50 years old) selling on EBAY for $5,000. Sadly, Lugosi would never know the world's true calculation of his unique talents. "The way you walked was thorny, through no fault of your own. But as the rain enters the soil, the river enters the sea, so tears run to their predestined end. Your suffering is over, Bela my son. Now you will find peace."

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Definitive, November 29, 2005

By 

Bill Fleck (Wurtsboro, NY USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Immortal Count: The Life and Films of Bela Lugosi (Hardcover)

By now, everyone knows that Arthur Lennig has reworked his 1974 mini-cult classic THE COUNT. What I didn't know was the extent to which he did.

THE COUNT was tough to come by when I was a kid trying to read about Lugosi, Karloff, and Chaney Jr. My public library had it, and my brother and I would check it out on alternative weeks to keep it in our possession (seemingly, no one else was clamoring for it). When Lennig released the rewrite, I kept waiting for the price to fall (it never really did), so a year later, I caved in and bought it.

I'm glad I did. Lennig has expanded the book beautifully, utilizing the latest scholarship and revising entire chunks. He's also re-evaluated the credibility of some of his sources (Caroll Borland among them), and integrated some of the opinions of Gregory William Mank. The new book also softens some of the pot-shots he took at Karloff in 1974, and casts Chaney Jr. in a far less unfavorable light. The Epilogue is really interesting and up to date. In fact, the one fault is that Lennig may still have too much affection for Lugosi to be truly objective--but that's a "fault" easily excused if you have the same "fault" yourself!

In all, THE IMMORTAL COUNT is a terrific read, nicely updated, and a great addition to your library.

15 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Sympathy for the Vampire, March 7, 2004

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Tim Hewitt (Columbia, SC USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Immortal Count: The Life and Films of Bela Lugosi (Hardcover)

My impression upon reading Lennig's biography is that it's just too adoring of it's subject, too set on defending him against his detractors (living or undead). That shouldn't necessarily be a bad thing, but even though "The Immortal Count" tells the story of Lugosi's life and career in great, great detail, Lennig's fannish admiration of Lugosi prevents him from being in any way objective. Again and again he dismisses any account of Lugosi's bad behavior or Lugosi's difficulty with English or any negative comment anyone ever put on record regarding Lugosi. Lennig is up front and honest about subjects of public knowledge such as Lugosi's poor career decisions and his drug and acohol addiction. But he's very defensive of Lugosi against any negative comments or perceptions. This often leads to contradictions. Lennig bemoans the portrayal of the aging, bitter foul-mouthed Lugosi in the film "Ed Wood". According to Lennig, Lugosi was never known to use foul language. Later in the book, Lennig quotes Lugosi himself calling his last wife a b***ch and complaining in a crude manner about erectile disfunction. Lennig is accepting of every flattering comment made about Lugosi and dismissive of every unflattering one. In the end you can't help but feel that you're often not getting the full story, just the part most sympathetic to Lugosi. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, but it gives the book a feeling of being slanted and incomplete. (And the book would be nearly half it's length if Lennig didn't synopsize in great detail over many many pages all of Lugosi's major and some not-so-major films when a nice paragraph would have done nicely.) All in all, a good book, but not yet the definitive biography of "The Count."