It's also worth noting this extra history. Executive Paul Kohner was madly in love with Lupita Tovar and when she was to leave Universal to return to Mexico City, he begged Laemmle to make a Spanish Dracula and cast her as a way to make her stay. It was made and the two were happily married till death. Had these two not fallen in love, this would never have been made.
I agree, I think the Spanish film does some things better than the Browning Dracula film like refering to the fact that Lucy gets staked through the heart and some other things, BUT in the end Carlos Villarias is no Bela Lugosi and just can't match his portrayal.
Totally agree - the Spanish one is interesting, and especially from an historical perspective, but without Bela Lugosi, Tod Browning and Dwight Frye, it's just not comparable at all.
I like the English version with Bela Lugosi better because Bela has more subtlety in his voice and appearance. While in the Spanish version, the actor playing Dracula looks like he's more suited as Renfield
The Spanish Dracula looks like a comedian, sort of cross-eyed at times. Lugosi was just plain sinister. Neither man could choose the face he was born with, but I believe the Spanish actor was miscast. He just looked too soft/round faced to be menacing.
No matter how much I love Bela Lugosi' s version. I really like the Spanish version. Not more, I just like it. Nobody, will ever beat Lugosi, as Dracula, he's the best.
Carlos Vilaros, they never mention the Hispanic Dracula's name ! I wonder what else he starred in. I will have to get a copy of this !! Thanks for posting this !!
The Spanish 'Dracula' is superior to the English one technically, in many ways, but Carlos Villarias as the Count is just laughable. Seriously, where did this guy learn to act? Villarias is doing a comic imitation of Bela Lugosi, no doubt unintentionally. The guy playing Renfield isn't much better, though he at least has some range. I'd say Lupita Tovar does a better job than Helen Chandler in the role of the heroine. Still, worth watching to see Tod Browning get owned technically.
I love all the English and Spanish ( from what I've seen of it.. ) versions of Dracula.. I love Nosferatu.. I cannot compare one to the other.. They're all amazing classics in my eyes...
I kind of think the atmosphere was slightely more relevant in the English version with the fear of the unseen, but I do love the work the Spanish production had. So many impressive and individual things about it,. Some I didn't catch at first, but really appreciated later. It's also worth noting it's history. Executive Paul Kohner was madly in love with Lupita Tovar and when she was to leave, he begged Laemmle to cast her in a Spanish Dracula. It was made and the two were married till death.
Dracula was based off a stage adaption, so it only makes sense that the US version seems a bit stationary. It's amazing how the Spanish version took every opportunity to make things more lively interesting, though. You can't take Lugosi's role away from him, but as for everything else...
I'm spaniard, and precisely because of my knowlede of the language I can appreciate how goofy the spanish version is. The performaces are high-school level at best, terribly annoying at times.
Nice post. The Spanish language version of Dracula is a delight. As one of the interviewees says, it's livelier. It's freer and sexier and Lupita Tovar is fantastic. The Browning version is one of the most static films I have ever seen. The pauses may have been meant to create atmosphere, but they just seem like pauses. Nonetheless, Lugosi was a great actor and his Dracula had more depth. Edward Van Sloane and Dwight Frye are really cool. I love them both, but I watch Lugosi more often.
While the Spanish adaptation is TECHNICALLY a better film (especially in it's cinematography), Carlos Villarias cannot compare to the great Bele Lugosi, even though he himself is pretty damn good in the role.
I'm sorry but the man in the Spanish version doesn't have one tenth Bela's screen presence! Otherwise it seems to be a superior film, technically anyway.
I must agree with adr40361. A recent DVD release contains both the Mexican version as well as a restored version of the original American version. I must say that Lugosi has quite a bit more panache/sex appeal and villain factor than Villarias (whose gums show too much...). If there were only a version with the art direction/wardrobe/styling of the Spanish film using the American actors and their lighting. The Spanish language one starts to get boring and you are never really terrified.
buena idea, pero aquí en Perú talvez pueda conseguirlo en alguno de los llamados "huecos" en donde es posible conseguir todo, compré la de Lugosi el miercoles sin dificultad alguna, espero conseguir esta versión también pero si no.....bueno entonces por internet será pues. Gracias por el dato.
There are differences. First of all in the Spanish version Refield is attacked by the 3 vampire women . This does not happien in the English version. Also unlike Helen Chandler, at the final scenes Lupita Tovar has a sexier nightgown and is in her bare feet. Logical because she was called away from her bed into Dracula's menacing arms.
It wasn't sneaky. Films are shot out of sequence so to have to rebuild the sets after they have been finished in one language would have been costly. Using the same filming schedule as the American version made it easier for the Mexican crew to film their version. It must have been tiring though being on the opposite shift as everyone...
Es una vergüenza como trataron los yankees, en aquella época, a españoles y mexicanos, hoy actores en el olvido que merecieron un mejor status, tratados con desprecio sin integrarlos en el film "oficial" y haciendo uno aparte para el público hispano con obligados diálogos y muecas artificiales, penoso. Mis mas sinceros respetos para el recuerdo del español Carlos Villarías
How I wish that Bela and the english cast worked on that one instead. Sure, it's better on a technical level, but the I would pick the Universal version any day.
I think that the Spanish would have been the better version except for the all-important matter of the two lead actors. Anyone interested in the serious discussion of genre films, please contact me.
mm..bela lugosi was in my oppinion much more luring, sensuel, charming and "evil" than the spanish.. maybe the spanish version was sexier and more daring, but to me Lugosi didn't needed that to express the sensuality of the character etc.
Two comments here 1) the Spanish version, I believe, is far superior than the Lugosi one. Don't get me wrong I love the English version but after seeing the Spanish version I noticed the little details. 2) why bother keeping that other guys comment up? he's clearly disturbed and seems full of hate. Not judging just asking. Thanks for posting this video
There is no connection between the actors, only each one doing their own thing. Renfield is totally over the top. Eva's costumes are more provocative, which is actually nonsensical. The whole idea is to have Dracula penetrate the uptight Victorian culture, represented by Helen Chandler's buttoned up blouses. Yes, the cinematography is nice and the camera movements interesting, but it isn't as memorable as Lugosi's- just look at Villaria's reaction to Renfield's crucifix at the beginning. :(
@mariogomezg so your saying the acting is bad?then why is everyone saying its so great or are ppl just being liberal because its spanish and not english
Hi There - Tim Estiloz - Me - is the voice over reporter on this story - and Emmy winning entertainment reporter. Humbly meant and grateful, but you asked. Barry Nolan was dressed that way as part of an overall, lighthearted Halloween themed show. Barry was "trying" to be masquerading as a rapper. The show was called Backstage - a live one hour entertainment show that aired daily on the now defunct CN8 Comcast Network. Thank you for watching.
Hi Tim, I came across this Spanish version of Dracula because of Charlie Chan. In 1931 the movie Charlie Chan Carries On came out and had a spanish version called Eran Trece. Manuel Arbo played Charlie Chan and while looking up his history I discovered his role in Dracula. Eran Trece is the only survivor since the english Charlie Chan Carries On has been lost. The players in Eran Trece have very interesting histories but some are incomplete. I was especially interested in Blanca de Castejon and Ana Maria Custodio and Raul Roulien. You don't happen to have any information on these three movie stars do you?
The cinematography in the Spanish version was better, and special effects were put to better use, but the character of Dracula is the key of course, and Lugosi was a far superior actor, especially in this, his signature role. I know Lugosi finally screened the Spanish version sometime in the late 1930s, and BELIEVE me, if he had felt the tiniest bit threatened, he would've bought all the copies and burned them LOL. I believe he remarked that the Spanish version was "adequate".
If only the director of the Spanish version had directed Lugosi and company instead of Tod Browning! Or even James Whale!! There's a scene at the opera where Lugosi is standing on a lower step than the people he's addressing--it makes Dracula look small when Lugosi was 6'1"! Just plain SLOPPY! And that's just one problem with the film. I actually prefer Lugosi in RETURN OF THE VAMPIRE! ruclips.net/video/SKRPxULJ2BQ/видео.html
LOL XD It amazes me too.... I didn't believe when a friend say that some americans thinks that all the world speaks english. Thank god there are people with some IQ =) Greetings from Mexico
Carlos Villarias was a better actor than Lugosi, but Villarias was campy at times and had zero sex appeal. He was also less creepy than Lugosi. Instead, Villarias made Dracula more lonely and and relatable. I feel that made Villarias the better Dracula.
@ShredMaster79 hahahahahaaa, but if Browning's film, it is no secret, far from being the masterpiece that some say is, Browning's Dracula, in this way, it's a stale character, rather than stiff fascinating or repulsive , whose interaction with a world that is not yours, "the Britain of the first half of the twentieth century is a little forced and lacking in naturalness.
The Spanish version is NOT better than the Lugosi version. It is long, over acted and though it has some interesting effects, it is just overdone. Why would there be mist coming out of the coffin? In Lugosi's version, the camera moves away from the Count emerging from his lair, and the clunk from the lid closing is just creepy. The scene in which Van Sloan and Lugosi confront each other is much sharper than the Spanish version, which cuts back and forth to Mina and Harker, lessening the tension
This guy's American accent irritates me. Not that I have anything against American accents in general, mind, but it's the way he butchers dear Béla's name that peeves me. :\
Sorry, I feel the Spanish Dracula is a bore- it's a half hour longer, &some of the effects, like the smoke out of the coffin just call attention to themselves. The film is grossly overracted and some of the cutting is just plain awful. For instance, in the film's second half, Dracula has a confrontation with Van Helsing in the living room of Seward. In the Lugosi version, Edward Van Sloan and Lugosi have a great standoff with Lugosi- the Spanish version intercuts with footage of Eva and Juan.
NEWS FLASH: all directors are campy weirdos. the acting sucked in the spanish version, but the aesthetics, mise en scene, effects, and sound surpass Lugosi.
ahuauhauha better than lugosi...ahahuauhauhauhauhauhauhuhauhauahaauhauauhauhauhuhauhauhauhauhauhauha Better will be when People remember Dracula far from Lugosi's character....unfortunately no one does since 1931
@RedvolverStudios well they are all white lol. many of them are from spain another is Argentinean and then mexico.i dont understand when he says "different face" its the sme "face" unless he meant style.
spanish dracula is a better movie but it doesnt have the better dracula. its kind of like how the dark knight is better than batman returns but doesnt have the best batman.
They're both awesome but I just wish more people knew about the Spanish version is really an amazing piece of cinema history.
It's also worth noting this extra history. Executive Paul Kohner was madly in love with Lupita Tovar and when she was to leave Universal to return to Mexico City, he begged Laemmle to make a Spanish Dracula and cast her as a way to make her stay. It was made and the two were happily married till death. Had these two not fallen in love, this would never have been made.
the Spanish Dracula is technically superior, but at the same time suffers from the lack of Lugosi's screen presence.
I agree, I think the Spanish film does some things better than the Browning Dracula film like refering to the fact that Lucy gets staked through the heart and some other things, BUT in the end
Carlos Villarias is no Bela Lugosi and just can't match his portrayal.
Totally agree - the Spanish one is interesting, and especially from an historical perspective, but without Bela Lugosi, Tod Browning and Dwight Frye, it's just not comparable at all.
I like the English version with Bela Lugosi better because Bela has more subtlety in his voice and appearance. While in the Spanish version, the actor playing Dracula looks like he's more suited as Renfield
The Spanish Dracula looks like a comedian, sort of cross-eyed at times. Lugosi was just plain sinister. Neither man could choose the face he was born with, but I believe the Spanish actor was miscast. He just looked too soft/round faced to be menacing.
The Spanish-speaking Dracula looks like Nicolas Cage!
No matter how much I love Bela Lugosi' s version. I really like the Spanish version. Not more, I just like it. Nobody, will ever beat Lugosi, as Dracula, he's the best.
Carlos Vilaros, they never mention the Hispanic Dracula's name ! I wonder what else he starred in. I will have to get a copy of this !! Thanks for posting this !!
hello do you know the names of other movies of the 30s or 40s in Spanish version ?
thanks .
One called Eran Trece as a spanish version of Charlie Chan Carries On. The english version has been lost. 1931
The accents are hilarious. A funny mixture of "Castizo" and Mexican The arriving man with the hat is a gas!
@lagarticus its not mexican they are both american made here in usa. the actors are european Spaniards,mexican and Argentinian
The Spanish 'Dracula' is superior to the English one technically, in many ways, but Carlos Villarias as the Count is just laughable. Seriously, where did this guy learn to act? Villarias is doing a comic imitation of Bela Lugosi, no doubt unintentionally. The guy playing Renfield isn't much better, though he at least has some range. I'd say Lupita Tovar does a better job than Helen Chandler in the role of the heroine.
Still, worth watching to see Tod Browning get owned technically.
2:15 LUPITA TE AMOOOO
I love all the English and Spanish ( from what I've seen of it.. ) versions of Dracula.. I love Nosferatu.. I cannot compare one to the other.. They're all amazing classics in my eyes...
I kind of think the atmosphere was slightely more relevant in the English version with the fear of the unseen, but I do love the work the Spanish production had. So many impressive and individual things about it,. Some I didn't catch at first, but really appreciated later. It's also worth noting it's history. Executive Paul Kohner was madly in love with Lupita Tovar and when she was to leave, he begged Laemmle to cast her in a Spanish Dracula. It was made and the two were married till death.
You should do a review of Blackula, dressed and gesticulating like that
Is the Spanish version that's included in the 'special anniversary edition, also with English sub-titles, like the one posted here?
what's with the lame old man doing gang signs while he talks at the beginning, is he serious with that?
imagine if creepy Dracula from American version would be combined with better Spanish production it would make a epic Dracula movie
Dracula was based off a stage adaption, so it only makes sense that the US version seems a bit stationary. It's amazing how the Spanish version took every opportunity to make things more lively interesting, though. You can't take Lugosi's role away from him, but as for everything else...
CARLOS VILLARIAS that was his name. I will have to get a copy of this, it looks good !
the spanish renfield was great!!
I agree. The Spanish version is in fact the better overall production, but the English one has the much superior Dracula in Bela Lugosi.
I'm spaniard, and precisely because of my knowlede of the language I can appreciate how goofy the spanish version is. The performaces are high-school level at best, terribly annoying at times.
Someone please upload the spanish version in RUclips!
@FilmFanTV I don't think he was referring to the the film, but the actor who played Dracula.
And people complain that today's films are remakes. Universal remade Dracula in the same year, on the same set, at the same time!
Nice post. The Spanish language version of Dracula is a delight. As one of the interviewees says, it's livelier. It's freer and sexier and Lupita Tovar is fantastic. The Browning version is one of the most static films I have ever seen. The pauses may have been meant to create atmosphere, but they just seem like pauses. Nonetheless, Lugosi was a great actor and his Dracula had more depth. Edward Van Sloane and Dwight Frye are really cool. I love them both, but I watch Lugosi more often.
I love both of them
While the Spanish adaptation is TECHNICALLY a better film (especially in it's cinematography), Carlos Villarias cannot compare to the great Bele Lugosi, even though he himself is pretty damn good in the role.
I'm sorry but the man in the Spanish version doesn't have one tenth Bela's screen presence! Otherwise it seems to be a superior film, technically anyway.
Really? If I saw this Villarias dude coming towards me out of the fog, I would probably start Laughing.
The best is Nosferatu (German Silent Movie)
I loved the Spanish speaking version much more although they're both great!!!
I must agree with adr40361. A recent DVD release contains both the Mexican version as well as a restored version of the original American version.
I must say that Lugosi has quite a bit more panache/sex appeal and villain factor than Villarias (whose gums show too much...). If there were only a version with the art direction/wardrobe/styling of the Spanish film using the American actors and their lighting. The Spanish language one starts to get boring and you are never really terrified.
buena idea, pero aquí en Perú talvez pueda conseguirlo en alguno de los llamados "huecos" en donde es posible conseguir todo, compré la de Lugosi el miercoles sin dificultad alguna, espero conseguir esta versión también pero si no.....bueno entonces por internet será pues. Gracias por el dato.
There are differences. First of all in the Spanish version Refield is attacked by the 3 vampire women . This does not happien in the English version. Also unlike Helen Chandler, at the final scenes Lupita Tovar has a sexier nightgown and is in her bare feet. Logical because she was called away from her bed into Dracula's menacing arms.
It's a good film, but without Lugosi, it can't hold a candle to the original version
The Enlgish version is far superior to the Spanish for two words: Bela Lugosi
@joeocho88 wasnt the cinematographer american? george robinson?plus werent they a mix of Spaniards and mexicans?
how old was that actress when the interview with her took place?
except for bela and dwight frye (and those ar eBIG 'excepts') the spanish version is far superior.
The spanish version has some cool points, but Lugosi is, was, and always will be the King of Vampires.
It wasn't sneaky. Films are shot out of sequence so to have to rebuild the sets after they have been finished in one language would have been costly. Using the same filming schedule as the American version made it easier for the Mexican crew to film their version. It must have been tiring though being on the opposite shift as everyone...
Es una vergüenza como trataron los yankees, en aquella época, a españoles y mexicanos, hoy actores en el olvido que merecieron un mejor status, tratados con desprecio sin integrarlos en el film "oficial" y haciendo uno aparte para el público hispano con obligados diálogos y muecas artificiales, penoso. Mis mas sinceros respetos para el recuerdo del español Carlos Villarías
3:28
¡Se parece a Ernesto Zedillo!
It's fascinating to watch, but I wouldn't call this padded, overlong version superior. I'll take the more streamlined version with the better cast.
How I wish that Bela and the english cast worked on that one instead. Sure, it's better on a technical level, but the I would pick the Universal version any day.
This one feels more modern, more alive, more real than the Lugosi. Even through I actually like the Lugosi.
somebody please upload the Spanish version!
The English version I prefer
brides of dracula 1960 best of all
I think that the Spanish would have been the better version except for the all-important matter of the two lead actors.
Anyone interested in the serious discussion of genre films, please contact me.
mm..bela lugosi was in my oppinion much more luring, sensuel, charming and "evil" than the spanish.. maybe the spanish version was sexier and more daring, but to me Lugosi didn't needed that to express the sensuality of the character etc.
Two comments here
1) the Spanish version, I believe, is far superior than the Lugosi one. Don't get me wrong I love the English version but after seeing the Spanish version I noticed the little details.
2) why bother keeping that other guys comment up? he's clearly disturbed and seems full of hate. Not judging just asking.
Thanks for posting this video
There is no connection between the actors, only each one doing their own thing. Renfield is totally over the top. Eva's costumes are more provocative, which is actually nonsensical. The whole idea is to have Dracula penetrate the uptight Victorian culture, represented by Helen Chandler's buttoned up blouses. Yes, the cinematography is nice and the camera movements interesting, but it isn't as memorable as Lugosi's- just look at Villaria's reaction to Renfield's crucifix at the beginning. :(
@mariogomezg so your saying the acting is bad?then why is everyone saying its so great or are ppl just being liberal because its spanish and not english
The host is wbz's Barry Nolan (embarassing at the intro) who is Tim Estiloz?
Hi There - Tim Estiloz - Me - is the voice over reporter on this story - and Emmy winning entertainment reporter. Humbly meant and grateful, but you asked. Barry Nolan was dressed that way as part of an overall, lighthearted Halloween themed show. Barry was "trying" to be masquerading as a rapper. The show was called Backstage - a live one hour entertainment show that aired daily on the now defunct CN8 Comcast Network. Thank you for watching.
Hi Tim, I came across this Spanish version of Dracula because of Charlie Chan. In 1931 the movie Charlie Chan Carries On came out and had a spanish version called Eran Trece. Manuel Arbo played Charlie Chan and while looking up his history I discovered his role in Dracula. Eran Trece is the only survivor since the english Charlie Chan Carries On has been lost.
The players in Eran Trece have very interesting histories but some are incomplete. I was especially interested in Blanca de Castejon and Ana Maria Custodio and Raul Roulien. You don't happen to have any information on these three movie stars do you?
The cinematography in the Spanish version was better, and special effects were put to better use, but the character of Dracula is the key of course, and Lugosi was a far superior actor, especially in this, his signature role. I know Lugosi finally screened the Spanish version sometime in the late 1930s, and BELIEVE me, if he had felt the tiniest bit threatened, he would've bought all the copies and burned them LOL. I believe he remarked that the Spanish version was "adequate".
Spanish Dracula-Stupendous.
Dedicated Actors Worked Wearily Dusk to Dawn.
Lupita Tovar.
Eva-Embracing Eyes.
Dracula Spainsh-Sexier & Daring,Delightful!
Artistic-Action. Opticals & Visuals.
If only the director of the Spanish version had directed Lugosi and company instead of Tod Browning! Or even James Whale!! There's a scene at the opera where Lugosi is standing on a lower step than the people he's addressing--it makes Dracula look small when Lugosi was 6'1"! Just plain SLOPPY! And that's just one problem with the film. I actually prefer Lugosi in RETURN OF THE VAMPIRE! ruclips.net/video/SKRPxULJ2BQ/видео.html
@donovan1971 if only Lugosi starred in the spanish version
@SuperWillHatch Agreed.
No puedo encontrar esta versión q me an dicho es mucho mejor q la d USA y todavía en mi idioma mejor. Pero espero q algún día pueda comprarla!!
LOL XD It amazes me too....
I didn't believe when a friend say that some americans thinks that all the world speaks english. Thank god there are people with some IQ =)
Greetings from Mexico
Carlos Villarias was a better actor than Lugosi, but Villarias was campy at times and had zero sex appeal. He was also less creepy than Lugosi. Instead, Villarias made Dracula more lonely and and relatable. I feel that made Villarias the better Dracula.
@ShredMaster79 hahahahahaaa, but if Browning's film, it is no secret, far from being the masterpiece that some say is, Browning's Dracula, in this way, it's a stale character, rather than stiff fascinating or repulsive , whose interaction with a world that is not yours, "the Britain of the first half of the twentieth century is a little forced and lacking in naturalness.
The Spanish version is NOT better than the Lugosi version. It is long, over acted and though it has some interesting effects, it is just overdone. Why would there be mist coming out of the coffin? In Lugosi's version, the camera moves away from the Count emerging from his lair, and the clunk from the lid closing is just creepy. The scene in which Van Sloan and Lugosi confront each other is much sharper than the Spanish version, which cuts back and forth to Mina and Harker, lessening the tension
This guy's American accent irritates me. Not that I have anything against American accents in general, mind, but it's the way he butchers dear Béla's name that peeves me. :\
Sorry, I feel the Spanish Dracula is a bore- it's a half hour longer, &some of the effects, like the smoke out of the coffin just call attention to themselves. The film is grossly overracted and some of the cutting is just plain awful. For instance, in the film's second half, Dracula has a confrontation with Van Helsing in the living room of Seward. In the Lugosi version, Edward Van Sloan and Lugosi have a great standoff with Lugosi- the Spanish version intercuts with footage of Eva and Juan.
NEWS FLASH: all directors are campy weirdos. the acting sucked in the spanish version, but the aesthetics, mise en scene, effects, and sound surpass Lugosi.
ahuauhauha better than lugosi...ahahuauhauhauhauhauhauhuhauhauahaauhauauhauhauhuhauhauhauhauhauhauha Better will be when People remember Dracula far from Lugosi's character....unfortunately no one does since 1931
It looks like the spanish version was made better...BUT!Lugosi was much much superior as the Prince of Darkness!
jaajajajaj cierto! se parece a ZEDILLO! jaajajja
Of course not, its called american english. It's almost identical to England's english except for the accent.
Max Shreck beats them both.
@RedvolverStudios well they are all white lol. many of them are from spain another is Argentinean and then mexico.i dont understand when he says "different face" its the sme "face" unless he meant style.
Soccer is a better game broadcast in spanish..
spanish dracula is a better movie but it doesnt have the better dracula. its kind of like how the dark knight is better than batman returns but doesnt have the best batman.
oh thank god, that would've been awful if he was like that all the time, never the less great story and I take back the lame old man statement.
Stop it. Bela's film is infinitely better.
All directors are campy weirdos??..
What a bizarre and dumb statement!.