Product Description
A scholarly, yet thoroughly entertaining study of Lugosi's entire life, focusing on the period between 1952-56 - his career, his marriages, his politics, and his close friendship with Richard Sheffield. This insightful hardcover edition contains previously unpublished research, interviews and hundreds of rare photos, many unseen until now. Includes details of newly discovered stage, newsreel, radio and TV work, as well as a filmography with new entries. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (7)

I ALSO HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS FANTASTIC BOOK!
First off Bela Lugosi was always one of my favorite actors! I always thought that even when Lugosi was in a low-budget film he brought the movie up to a "higher level" because of his talented acting and his "commanding" presence! "Bela Lugosi - Dreams and Nightmares" is definitely one of the BEST books written about Bela Lugosi! Gary Don Rhodes in my estimation is one of (five) top leading expert-scholars on Bela Lugosi! This incredible book proves it! Rhodes's VAST knowledge on Bela Lugosi is "amazing!" This great book definitely had to take many years of thorough reseach! That beautiful cover only......... showing Bela Lugosi as Dracula draws a reader to the book with that mesmerizing stare! There are so many beautiful rare photos through-out the book showing Bela all through his career! Photos from his home life, photos from his stage and film career. This book is also co-authored by Richard Sheffield. Sheffield as a teenage was a big fan of Lugosi's and he found Lugosi and he became one of the Lugosi's closest friends in the last three years of Lugosi's life! Sheffield was like a son to Bela Lugosi! He would take Bela in his car on shopping trips helping him buy clothes, groceries, shoes etc. Sheffield's wonderful memories of Lugosi are beautifully written in this book! Some of the many photos I enjoyed in the book are the photos showing Sheffield and Bela outside Bela's apartment at 5620 Harold Way. Again like other books that I have reviewed on here, once you pick this book up to read, it is hard to put down! Its all here from Lugosi's days in Budapest to his rise as a major horror film star to his tragic downward spiral! Yes it is all here; Lugosi's battle with drugs and alcohol, his many romances such as his "torrid love affair" with beautiful Hollywood super-star Clara Bow, and his love for acting to his political convictions! The highly intelligent film historian author Gary Don Rhodes had to work hard to get this well-written book out and he deserves MUCH praise for this excellent book! And also MUCH praise should also go to the wonderful co-author Richard Sheffield! Sheffield's wonderful collaboration with Gary Don Rhodes on this book, definitely helped make this book one of the "definitive" books on Bela Lugosi! There is so much rare well-researched information in this book not only about Lugosi's many movies, but about his different television appearances and stage career! This book is one of four of the best books I have read in the last three years. If you are a Bela Lugosi fan like me I HIGHLY RECOMMEND this great book! And like I have stated about other authors on this site in my reviews, I will say for Gary Don Rhodes, he is one of the BEST writers in the literary field! Thank you so much Gary Don Rhodes and Richard Sheffield for giving us, the many Bela Lugosi fans this magnificent book! AGAIN TO ALL BELA LUGOSI FANS BUY THIS BOOK YOU WILL BE GLAD YOU DID!

Bela Lugosi, I never knew
I had no idea that Bela Lugosi was such a complex person.It is obvious to me that very comprehensive research was done on Mr. Lugosi's life to have compiled such a thourough life story. Very entertaining reading!!
Two thumbs up!
Matt

bela world
I very much enjoyed Mr. Rhodes analysis of Lugosi's life, and even added material in addition to his first book.But Rhodes tends to overlooks Lugosi's shortcomings and failures, and doesn't connect his obvious ties to the Communist party with his lackluster Hollywood career.

Nevertheless, there are many interesting tidbits and trivia additions.

A Visual and Verbal Masterpiece!!!
Wow!I've read lousy books with great covers and layout.I've read great books with lousy covers and layout.Here we have a book that is both visually stunning (one of the best book cover designs ever!)(lavishly seasoned with illustrative delight after delight) and a book that is superbly written: entertaining,informative, deeply moving and highly evocative of a time and place in the life of the legendary Lugosi - primarily covering the final decade of his days.I never wanted this book to end!Alas, I have just finished reading it...and was moved to tears at Mr. Rhodes' poignant description of the death and subsequent removal of Bela Lugosi's body from his home.All great things come to an end! Lives - and books! (One morbid and vague part of the book - and a few typos here and there - are the book's only flaws. The morbid and vague part of the text is the description of Richard Sheffield's unearthing of a corpse and the keeping of its skull. We never learn whose grave is desecrated and the reason why!!!Is an avid love of horror films enough of a reason to commit such a Norman Bate-ish act of vandalism? It may be poorly excused as a folly of youth, however as a lover of horror films from pre-school on I had, myself, as a teen, contemplated doing a Dr. Frankenstein on some stray gravesite...but never really could...or would!Apparently, Mr. Sheffield had no qualms about desecrating some poor, unfortunate's grave...and polishing up the gold tooth of the stolen skull.The recounting of this teen "prank" did, I must admit, leave me somewhat angered. The book could well have done without it. Is nothing sacred?)But back to the work at hand:Bela Lugosi must be smiling that wonderful smile of his down upon Gary Rhodes from that Castle Dracula in the sky!

Bela's Twilight......
This is a wonderful book for all of us Lugosi fans.He was an amazing presence on film and this book recounts not only his later years but the years that led up to them, as well.Mr. Rhodes and Mr. Sheffield obviously share a great affection for Bela and so say all of us.Highly recommended. ... Read more

Product Description
Dracula and Frankenstein's Monster are horror cinema icons, and the actors most deeply associated with the two roles also shared a unique friendship. Bela Lugosi and Boris Karloff starred in dozens of black-and-white horror films, and over the years managed to collaborate on and co-star in eight movies. Through dozens of interviews and extensive archival research, this greatly expanded new edition examines the Golden Age of Hollywood, the era in which both stars worked, recreates the shooting of Lugosi and Karloff's mutual films, examines their odd and moving personal relationship and analyzes their ongoing legacies. Features include a fully detailed filmography of the eight Karloff and Lugosi films, full summaries of both men's careers and more than 250 photographs, some in color. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

One of the best books ever on the legends of Horror
Their names are synonymous with classic horror films.Together, Bela Lugosi and Boris Karloff presented an unbeatable tag team of terror.For over 25 years they dueled for horror superiority with films such as Dracula, Frankenstein, The Mummy, White Zombie, The Bride of Frankenstein, Mark of the Vampire, and dozens of others.Film historian Greg Mank, the foremost expert on classic horror of the 1930s and 1940s, takes horror fans on an incredible journey through the lives of these two icons of the silver screen.

In a volume nearly 700 pages long, Mank looks at their films both individually and together, as well as their personal and private lives and relationships.Over the years Mank has conducted interviews with hundreds of personalities related to classic horror including many surviving stars, crewmembers, and the families of the stars.With Mank's work, you're not so much hearing about it as you are experiencing it yourself as if you were right there as the events took place.This is the incredible and exhaustive detail that Mank brings to his work.No detail is too mundane to relate.

Mank goes step-by-step with each actor's pre-horror career including Lugosi's work in his native Hungary and his winning the role of Dracula first in the stage production, and then in the film.Likewise Karloff's career is traced from his years as a character actor, usually as the bad guy, to his discovery by James Whale for the role of Frankenstein's monster.Every knows that Lugosi screen-tested for the role of the monster and over the years its been stated that Lugosi didn't want the role because of the lack of speaking lines but Mank asserts that it was Whale who didn't want Lubosi, and re-affirmed this a few years later when Lugosi tried for the role of Dr. Pretorious in The Bride of Frankenstein that ultimately went to Whale's buddy Ernest Thesiger.

The pair were teamed for the first time in 1934's, The Black Cat, one of the most macabre and perverse films of the 1930s.A censor's nightmare, the film found Karloff's Satanic cult leader and incestuous rapist Hjalmar Poelzig pitted against Lugosi's avenging angel Dr. Vitus Werdegast who ends the film by skinning Poelzig alive!Were the pair friends?Friendly rivals?Or bitter enemies?It depends on who you ask.Mank provides sufficient evidence to support each claim.Certainly Lugosi had reason to be jealous.Mank provides their salaries for the films they did together and Karloff always earned far more than Lugosi.Karloff did not help matters by often referring to Lugosi with the condescending "Poor Bela".On the other hand, as Mank notes, Lugosi's refusal to learn a better grasp of the English language severely limited the roles we would get.

There are some stunning revelations in the book, such as how actress Lucille Lund of The Black Cat, was left hanging in a glass coffin while the entire cast and crew broke for lunch...her punishment for refusing the sexual advances of director Edgar Ulmer.

Mank covers Lugosi's eventually slide into drug addiction and obscurity in painful detail.Injuries from fighting in World War I would lead to Lugosi's dependency on pain medication and other drugs.Yet even in such a declining physical condition, Lugosi was ever a pro, still giving his best in ultra low-budget films like Ed Wood's Bride of the Monster.

To complement the narrative, Mank includes hundreds of rare photos including publicity shots, behind-the-scenes photos, and candid pictures of the stars relaxing at home and just being themselves.These include many shots of the homes they once lived in and very funny pictures such as both me taking their turns dressed as Santa Claus.

This is an incredible book.I can barely scratch the surface of the information and secrets that Mank has uncovered.Suffice to say that this book is the one book you must own if you are a fanf of Lugosi and Karloff.

Great Read
For any fans of the Universal Horror pictures, and of Karloff and Lugosi, this book is a great read. A book full of anecdotes and tidbits of information that will delight all readers.

Great insight of both actors, their careers and personal lives. The tragic life of Lugosi was difficult to read. He was as much a victim of his success, as well as his substance abuses that eventually claimed his life. His body of work speaks for itself, yet he has remained just in the shadow of his fellow actor, Karloff.

Good reference for finding titles of their movies. I highly recommend this title.

Movie books don't get much better
Greg Mank's BELA LUGOSI AND BORIS KARLOFF is a sensational book.The original version was great in its own right, but this enormously expanded re-do (I think it's about twice as long as the first edition)is beyond great. The research that went into this book is obvious and mind-boggling.And Mank's eminently readable style carries you through what might seem trivia effortlessly.
Anyone who loves movies should treat himself to this terrific book.Anyone who loves HORROR movies MUST have this book. It is indispensible.

Kudos to Gregory William Mank!
I have read other books by Gregory William Mank.He has never failed to please.I have his book of Karloff and Lugosi: The Story of a Haunting Collaboration which was published in 1990.It was a well written review of the films of Karloff and Lugosi.This recently published Bela Lugosi and Boris Karloff: The EXPANDED Story of a Haunting Collaboration is an excellent upgrade of his first book.

Let us now look at the data on those two books:

Karloff and Lugosi: The Story of a Haunting Collaboration (1990)
9.2 X 6.2 X 1.2 inches
384 pages

Bela Lugosi and Boris Karloff:The Expanded Story of a Haunting Collaboration (2009)
10.3 X 7.2 X 1.7 inches
701 pages

As you can see, this expanded book is precisely what its title says...it is indeed E X P A N D E D.It now provides for much updated information on the films of Karloff and Lugosi with fascinating background information on the two actors.The book has many wonderful photos of their films and behind the scene involvements.It is superbly written.I noticed that Greg Mank's opinion of the work of Bela Lugosi has raised since the publication of his original book in 1990.This parallels Bela's rising star during the past twenty years among fans of those golden age Universal horror films.Today, we can safely say that both Boris Karloff and Bela Lugosi are basically equal insofar as their cinematic importance, ability, and impact goes.

Kudos to Gregory William Mank for producing this excellent and very readable book about Boris Karloff and Bela Lugosi and the eight films they worked together in!

Absolutely Wonderful
I've got most of Mr. Mank's books, and I can tell you that each new one is like Christmas morning to me.I own a first edition of Karloff & Lugosi, and when I learned that an updated version was in the works, I immediately placed an order.I have worked in a library for many years, and most of my reading tends to be non-fiction.Mr. Mank represents the best of non-fic writing.K&L II is not only a great reference...it's also a great read!You'll quickly find out that you're not READING about your favourite films...you're actually THERE...right on the set.

Grab this gen for Halloween while you can, because it will quickly become a cherished collectible.

on a scale of 1 to 5, I give it a 10

Joy ... Read more

Product Description

" 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.

Customer Reviews (11)

Needs to be an "abridged" version
This would have been a great biography except for one fatal flaw. The author insists of spending page after page summarizing most of Bela's movies. That doesn't make for an interesting read, so you start skipping big chunks to get back to the biographical part of the book. After a while, you just end up frustrated. This book should be re-released with the film summaries removed or cut down to a paragraph each. If we want to know everything that happens in the film, we'll watch it!

Great for all Lugosi Fans
This book is well researched and well written. It is very informative and very entertaining.I highly recommend this to any Bela fan or fan of the horror genre.

I Love This Book BUT...
I loved this book.I read the first addition originally published in 1973.This revised edition is even better,with more photos.HOWEVER, I really am sick and tired of all of the Bela Jr. bashing in THIS edition.Mr. Lenning gives a very ONE SIDED account of the court battles that ensued after Lugosi's death between Bela Lugosi Jr.and his fathers widow, Hope.Aside from that, I recommend this book highly to fans of Lugosi's and those new to his work.

This guy needs a new editor
First off, I admit that it pains me to find fault in such an obvious labor of love.Mr. Lennig must certainly be the Greatest Living Bela Lugosi Fan, and it shows.The Immortal Count is painstakingly detailed in its accounts of both the content and construction of Lugosi's films.But for all its technical prowess, Lennig's writing vacilates between professional criticism and amateurish defensivness.

For example: The author laments the he himself was maligned in another book, Universal Horrors.Like a child who's just been called a bad name, Lennig makes reference to "smart-ass critics."Does anyone reading this book CARE what other critics think of the author?It's a moment of self-indulgence that does not belong in what should be--by virute of volume alone--the definitive study of the films of Bela Lugosi.

There is much concensus among film critics that Lugosi himself often bended the truth to his will, especially in interviews conducted during his final years.Reading THE IMMORTAL COUNT, one suspects Arthur Lenning has, himself, succumbed to the same malady.He appears ready to defend his subject's shortcomings at every turn.While such hero worship can be charming, in this context it seems unprofessional.

The other, somewhat lesser, problem I found with the book is that the author often feels it necessary to give virtually shot-by-shot descriptions of the films.Lennig has many "behind-the-scenes" tales to tell, and these should make up the bulk of the material.

If the film descriptions could be trimmed, and the irrelevant asides excised, I believe THE IMMORTAL COUNT would be very close to the defintive Lugosi history we fans have been waiting for.As it stands, it's a lovingly-crafted but highly-flawed work.

Fantastic a must for all Lugosi fans
What can I say, this book is a great followup expansion of Lennig's earlier biography, which has been my favorite books since I purchased it in the early 1970s. Informative and loaded with pictures, you can tell the author idolizes the subject and won't skimp on the details.This book shows why Lugosi should be considered to be more than just a ham actor from the golden age of Hollywood which many reviewers do, but a bonifided talented star. ... Read more

Product Description
He was born Béla Ferenc Dezso Blasko on October 20, 1882, in Hungary. He joined Budapest’s National Theater in 1913 and later appeared in several Hungarian films under the pseudonym Arisztid Olt. After World War I, he helped the Communist regime nationalize Hungary’s film industry, but barely escaped arrest when the government was deposed, fleeing to the United States in 1920. As he became a star in American horror films in the 1930s and 1940s, publicists and fan magazines crafted outlandish stories to create a new history for Lugosi. The cinema’s Dracula was transformed into one of Hollywood’s most mysterious actors. This exhaustive account of Lugosi’s work in film, radio, theater, vaudeville and television provides an extensive biographical look at the actor. The enormous merchandising industry built around him is also examined. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

From Lugos to Los Angeles
The `Preface' says the purpose of this volume is to catalog as much information on Lugosi's career and life as feasible. The chapters are arranged by subject in chronological order (p.xxi). This is more of a reference book than a biography. Part I tells about the life of Béla Blaskó, born in 1882 Lugos. His father was a baker who became a banker. Bela was an unruly boy (p.3). He worked as a laborer but was attracted to the stage. He joined the army in 1914 and was discharged in 1916. In 1918 he helped organize the National Trade Union of Actors, the first film actor's union. The successful counter-revolution put his name (and others p.7) on the death list. They fled the country, and Lugosi worked on a cargo ship to come to America. During this decade he divorced and remarried three times. His appearance in the stage play `Dracula' made his success (p.13) in the movies.

The British ban on horror films meant Hollywood stopped making them (p.21). Lugosi was jobless until a re-release in 1938 made him famous doing live performances (p.22). Was he typecast? Not in `Ninotchka' (p.24). Horror films were popular during WW II (p.30). Afterwards Bela had financial difficulties (p.33). He became an alcoholic and drug dependent (p.35), but was cured. Bela died in August 1956. He was buried wearing the cape from `Dracula' at Holy Cross Cemetery in Culver City California. There are chapters on Personal Data, Court cases (Lugosi's name was in the public domain p.56), and Politics (an "extremely liberal democrat", p.57). Chapter 4 asks if Bela was blacklisted in his last years (p.64). "Abbott & Costello Meet Frankenstein" in 1948 was his last hit film.

Part II catalogs the feature-length films, serials, stage appearances, radio and television, and other filmed appearances in 160 pages. Chapter 13 lists Bela's cancelled roles and projects. Bela was in 15 American and 21 European films before `Dracula'. The author lists all 95 films with cast, credits, plot summary, and production notes. [New Hope PA had a "Street Fair" (pp.193, 195).] Part III contains "Works By or About Lugosi": Reviews, Articles, and Pamphlets; Books; Quotations from Lugosi, about Lugosi, and about Lugosi and Karloff. Chapter 15 lists five biographies and 35 books that refer to Lugosi (pp.278-284). Chapter 19 has "Sources and References". Most people saw Lugosi films on television (p.336) when many old films were sold to fill time on TV.

Part IV lists critiques and appreciations. Chapter 20 considers why professional actor Lugosi became typecast as Dracula. The character of Dracula was Lugosi's own (p.345). His accent limited his career. Chapter 21 has the opinions of experts (p.356). After death Lugosi's image was ruled to be in the public domain (p.368). Fan clubs existed after his death (p.369). The book ends with questions about Lugosi's past (Chapter 24). Earlier horror movies used a disfigured person as the villain, Lugosi made the villain look like a wealthy aristocrat.

Excellent !
Excellent book. Bela Lugosi is one of my favourite horror artists. He has made many films and thanks to this biography we can understand Mr. Lugosi as well as an artist and human being.The pictures are so good.
Can we imagine Bela Lugosi asJesuschrist and Dracula at the same time ???

NOT WHAT YOU ARE EXPECTING...EVEN BETTER!
"Lugosi: His Life in Films, on Stage, and in the Hearts of Horror Lovers" isn't a biography of the late horror icon.Great biographies on Lugosi have already been done, most notably by Arthur Lennig in "The Immortal Count".Rather, author Gary Don Rhodes takes a different tack.While the book does contain a biography of Lugosi, it only comprises less than forty of the book's 400 plus pages.Rather, Rhodes has tried, and very successfully I might add, to provide lists of everything relating to Lugosi's life and career.

After the bio-section, we get a list of every known Lugosi residence in the United States, complete with address, telephone number, and the years...or often times months...that the actor resided at each spot.One could make quite a trip out of visiting all of Lugosi's former homes in California.We also get a list of all of Lugosi's court appearances for divorces, lawsuits, and bankruptcy petitions.Each goes into incredible detail and allows the reader a rare glimpse into a celebrity's personal life.There is a very detailed account of the lawsuit that Lugosi's son, Bela Jr., brought against Universal Studios when he discovered his fathers likeness being used to sell products such as the old Aurora model kits.

Rhodes next provides a list of every Lugosi film, not only his movies in the U.S., but also those he made in Germany, and his native Hungary before coming to America.Each film includes a list of cast, credits, plot, synopsis, and production notes.While there is obviously a lot more detail included on the films made here, I was quite surprised at the amount of information that Rhodes was able to uncover on Lugosi's foreign credits.It's hard enough sometimes to find out details about silent films made in this country, let alone those made in Germany and Hungary.

Next up we have Lugosi's stage, live, vaudeville, radio, and TV appearances, again with a staggering amount of detail.A selected list of over 500 articles from magazines over the years follows and provides even more details about his career.These articles are culled from magazines like Variety, Famous Monsters of Filmland, FilmFax, and Midnight Marquee.

Still hungry for more?How about a list of Lugosi's most famous quotes, books on the star, articles on merchandising and collecting Lugosi memorabilia, and Lugosi mysteries.Perhaps the most famous mystery surrounding Lugosi is the test film shot for his audition to play the monster in "Frankenstein".Rumors persisted for years that the film existed and it was even advertised for sale but was never produced.Truly one of the Holy Grails in horror history!

"Lugosi: His Life in Films, on Stage, and in the Hearts of Horror Lovers" is a fabulous book because it ISN'T what you thought it would be, i.e. just another biography.Rhodes did a lot of legwork to come up with a treasure chest full of information about a true Hollywoodlegend.


Reviewed by Tim Janson

King of Horror Masterpiece
In August, 1956, faded horror film star Bela Lugosi died forgotten and penniless in Los Angeles. Five marriages, two bankruptcies, and a slow descent into chemical abuse and career collapse had taken their toll. Considered the ultimate "Dracula" star and actor today, Lugosi had watched his film success peak in the early 1930's. Boris Karloff quickly passed him by as the new King of Hollywood Horror. And poor Bela never recovered from the loss of prestige. Settling for a paltry $3500. to star in "Dracula" for Universal in 1931, Lugosi fumbled through a long line of poor business managers and faulty screen appearances right up until his untimely death. Just one year after his demise, Universal Studios re-packaged their old classic 1930's horror flicks for TV as "Shock Theater". Instantly, teens around the world reveled in the calculated mannerisms of the Hungarian Count. A big new star was born...just after his final curtain. "Lugosi: His Life in Films" reveals every detail. Published in 1996, you won't find this excellent compendium in any store. But you can order it through Amazon. Lovingly written by cinephile Gary Don Rhodes, the book lists every film, event, and appearance of the cinema icon. Bela Lugosi was scheduled to play Dracula in 1944's "House of Frankenstein". He never did. A marvelous photo of him as Jesus Christ(one of many great pics) reveals his true versatility. These rare pictures and historical investigations are all here for the true Lugosi fan. It's astounding that such a comprehensive work is available. Should we be surprised? Maybe not. After all..."There are many things under the sun..."

A "Silents Majority" review of "Lugosi"

Reference books generally have a reputation of being full of facts, yet dry in prose. While a bio-bibliography may not be traditionally called "entertainment," this ambitious effort successfully breaches the limitations of such reference books. It is a thought-provoking history of the great Béla Lugosi (1882 - 1956). His career was as varied and tragic, both publicly and privately, as John Barrymore's. His legend remains secure, thanks to "Dracula" (Universal, 1931). The life surrounding the legend has been colorfully illuminated thanks to Gary Don Rhodes. His phenomenal research charts Lugosi's long voyage of fame and infamy, revealing details never before printed. His documentation is truly an achievement and a labor of blood, sweat and love.

Lugosi was a lover of style, sports, good living and women. Rhodes provides exhaustive examples of his exploits, both publicized and private. The wealth of photos alone display Lugosi out of his cape as a sociable creature, playful, enthusiastic, an avid reader and a cigar aficionado. A ladies' man, he was married five times. All five marriages are covered in detail - after all, there is curiosity about the love life of a vampire! There is documentation of his stage, screen and even court appearances; critical analysis of his career; and quotes and articles about or by Lugosi. The light side and the dark side are equally exposed. He was a man of strengths and weaknesses - perhaps the most notable and depressing of the latter was his long-term drug addiction. All of these elements are integrated to present a fascinating portrait of a complex artist. Those who are obsessed by the great Hungarian actor will find a sumptuous feast to satisfy their hunger. Even the mildly intrigued will be drawn into this unique individual's world. Lugosi never lost his dignity nor his offbeat sense of humor. His proud Magyar heart kept his spirit intact despite efforts to break it. Rhodes' book unflinchingly sees all and tells all - with intelligence, compassion and devotion.
- Copyright, 1997, Diane MacIntyre, "The Silents Majority" (http://www.mdle.com/ClassicFilms/) ... Read more

Product Description
The first entry in the Midnight Marquee Actors Series offers in-depthanalyses of 32 of the films that helped create Lugosi's cinematicpersona as the first true horror film legend.This book coversLugosi's films from the pre-Dracula early sound ear, details hisUniversal and 1930s' classics, investigates his stint on poverty rowat Monogram and PRC in the 1940s, and explores the downward spiral andhis much discussed film work for Edward D. Wood, Jr. in the 1950s.

Some of today's foremost horror film writers contributed tothis exploration of Bela Lugosi's work. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Poor Lugosi, done in once more!
While later books in the MM Actors series, such as the recent one on Peter Lorre, do not have such a problem,the earlier books on Karloff and Lugosi suffer from "chapters" that are too often illiterate orsemi-literate plot summaries rather than knowledgable review and commentaryon the film to which the chapter is supposedly devoted.I'd say thebatting average here is about 50%, making the book worth buying, with a bitof reservation.

Beware the hand of the Svehlas
Despite the presence and Gary and Susan Svehla, some good material makes its way onto the page. As the "editors", though, the couple might have made another pass at Susan's shabby as hell "Son ofFrankenstein" section.As it stands now, it's as self-satisfied anddisorganized as their conventions . . .

The finest retrospective on Lugosi's film and career ever
As a co-author of the book, I can only reiterate what my colleagues write regarding themodern fascination with Lugosi and his films.With his dark good looks, his piercing blue eyes, his commanding presence and his deliberate manner of speaking, audiences are still mesmerized by the man's presence.This book is an overview of his long career, analyzing the good and the bad movies (and there were plenty of both) he starred in.It is written with warmth and humor, and is a must for any film fan. ... Read more

Product Description
Since Bela Lugosi was the very first book published by Midnight Marquee Press, Inc. in 1995, and had been sold out for several years, we felt it was time to revise our best-selling title.We decided to inaugurate the Midnight Marquee Actors Series with horror film icon Bela Lugosi.The first reason was the fact that Lugosi is one of our favorite legends of the Golden Age of Horror Films.And the second reason is that the 1990s appeared to be the decade of his rebirth and rediscovery.With the release of pristine copies of Universal horror classics in attractively packaged, low-priced DVDs, the continued interest in cult writer/director Edward D. Wood, Jr. and the artistic triumph of Tim Burton s Ed Wood, which features Bela Lugosi (distorted history noted), a new generation of film fan was being introduced to the legendary bogeyman.As our writers attest, Lugosi was a very gifted actor, who appeared in only a handful of well-produced, quality vehicles, but whose reputation has mushroomed far beyond the movies in which he sometimes had to appear.But even the worst Lugosi film is better than most of the dreck passing for horror films today.What better star with which to start our Midnight Marquee Actors Series? And what better star to deserve a new revised and updated edition? ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Adjunct book about Bela Lugosi
Lugosi: The Man Behind the Cape was authorized by his son Bela Jr.One might expect more under those circumstances. Unfortunately, there isn't an awful lot of personal information or new insight.Most of Lugosi's effects were with his last wife, Hope.We do get more access to previous wife Lillian and her perspective, since she was Bela Jr's mother.The best part of the book is the opening chapter about Lugosi's admission to the hospital for drug rehab. The rest of the book never quite lives up to this beginning, however. If you want a definitive, well researched book on the subject, obtain Arthur Lennig's book: The Immortal Count.Howard Roller ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Informative and Personal biography of one of Hollywood's Greatest Horror personalities.
Arthur Lennig's biography on the greatest of Hollywood's bloodsuckers is one of the most moving and personal biographies about an actor ever written.
My review refers to the original 1972 edition, but if your interested in the actor and this book than it should be known there is a current updated edition available.

Lennig covers the troublesome Lugosi's life from his birth in Lugos, Hungary through his early days on the stage and into World War One. There's of course quite a look into Lugosi's "Golden age" of the thirties and all of his great roles are covered well.

I did not agree with all of Lennig's perspectives, particularly his simplification of the quite brilliant The Black Cat(1934) and his obvious bias toward the great actor, Boris Karloff, which unfortunately many Lugosi fans choose to place the blame towards when Lugosi's fortunes dwindled.

Lennig however has alot of enthusiasm for the project and the final chapter is quite touching and represents what I believe to be the best writing in the book. Lennig had met Lugosi as a child, even having the actor over to his house for a visit! The candid shots of Lugosi at home are truly worth the price of the book alone.

While far from perfect, this love letter to one of Hollywood's biggest Cult actors is an essential for devotees of the actor, Horror cinema or anyone interested in a biography of a most remarkable man.

Double this with Cynthia Lyndsey's "Dear Boris", the biography of Boris Karloff, and you can learn about how interesting and complex cinema's two greatest boogeymen really were.

Never received this book and got no answer from the seller
I am not sure what happened here - this book was ordered and never showed up - I tried to email the seller but it bounced back several times.Very unsatisfied that this seller did not contact me to make sure I had received it - ever - and it has been months and months!

Excellent
This fascinating biography chronicles the life and work of Hollywood legend Bela Lugosi.Richly detailed, the book takes the reader through the highs and lows of Lugosi's life, from his early success as a stage actor,to his last tragic years working for the notorious producer Ed Wood.Professor Lennig is uniquely qualified to write this story, as he is a filmscholar and was a personal friend of Lugosi.Thus, he has given us a workwhich is both meticulously researched and lovingly crafted.Thank you,Professor Lennig - beautifully done!

A must read for Bela Lugosi fans.
If you are a Bela Lugosi fan, you must read this book! It is very factual, and has many pictures. As far as I know, there are no mistakes. The author got a visit from Bela in 1947, so he knows quite a bit about him! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Interesting info--but was this a first draft?
This book is a good overview of Lugosi's career, but I have some doubts as to its accuracy because it was so poorly edited.It almost reads like a first draft.
I mean, this thing, has extra commas, just dropped in, like pepper!
Oftentimes names are spelled one way at the opening of a paragraph, and another way at the end.Sentences are repeated from page to page as though the author pasted but forgot to cut.

At one point a paragraph even begins by announcing a "Film review of Spooks Gone Wild:"
This is then followed by four paragraphs about another film entirely, "Black Dragons."

Did anybody read this thing a second time before going to press? So incredibly sloppy!

How can I even believe the basic facts the author presents if he and his editor can't even get sixth grade composition down?

Bela,a review
A good book but I noticed some obvious mistakes from the "get-go" like in the opening statements when it was said that Lugos was formerly Romania but now Hungary but it is actually the opposite- formerly Hungary but now Romania!Also, there was much repetition in the quotes in the book. Other than that it was actually one of the better books on Bela that I have read.I am Canadian but speak Hungarian and love Bela so I am always looking for a good biography of his!

TRULY FANTASTIC
This book made an instant fan of Bela Lugosi,from it i learned that he did more films than just 'Dracula'but he did lots of other things too.the book made hunt out more of Bela's iilms and i'm sure i drove my wife mad getngthem,but i enjoyed every singe one of them,all thanks to this book.myfavouites are "Scared To Death' and"Invisible Ghost".i wouldtell all new ela fans to hunt out this book as so much i crammed to it onjust a small page count.Larry Edwards did a great job for the master ofterror.i love this book.

Even a rating of one star is TOO high for this book.
Only Lugosi completests should purchase this book. It is filled with numerous factual errors and offers absolutely nothing new that has not already been covered by other books. Lugosi fans would be better served tobuy Gary Don Rhode's or Greg Mank's books or any of a number of otherLugosi related works. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Good book for Lugosi fans.
As the title implies, this book focuses on the films of Bela Lugosi. It has a 30 page biography which gives a good overall idea of Lugosi's carreer without going into much detail. The rest of the book is a list of all of Lugosi's movies, with cast and crew details, contemporary reviews and the author's comments about each of his American sound movies, and also a list with brief descriptions of all of his European films and American silent films. The book also contains literally hundreds of pictures.

This is not a book that you would read cover to cover but rather a book for the Lugosi fan to come back to whenever you want to read about a specific Lugosi movie. So if you are just looking for a Lugosi biography, you may want to borrow this book in a library and read the biography section and also look for other books or articles, but if you're a Lugosi fan, this is a nice book to own. ... Read more

Product Description
A pack consisting of a video-cassette of the film, "Plan 9 From Outer Space", and a book which tells the story of its creator, Edward D. Wood Jr, dubbed "the worst director of all time" for his low-budget cult films. The tale is told by his colleagues - a motley crew of deadbeats and losers. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Ecstasy of Jibberish
"Nightmare of Ecstasy" is the only existing chronicle of
Ed Wood, Jr.'s body of cinematic and written work.The problem with it is that the interviews used to tell the story make George W. Bush's oratory skills sound like Shakespeare.In other words, the comments are not very well articulated and thought-out.At times, "Nightmare of Ecstasy" reads like a comic book: full of sentence fragments and incomplete thoughts.

The book's saving grace is that as a whole it paints a complete picture of Mr. Wood's career and personal life.The writer/director's career is extremely complex and has lots of sidebars, but everything seems to be covered.I just wish someone bothered to write a book about Ed Wood, and not assemble a bunch of jibberish. ... Read more

Product Description
The duo of Bela Lugosi's Count Dracula and Boris Karloff's Frankenstein's monster made some of Hollywood's most eccentric product. Equally striking was their odd, moving, ultimately tragic personal relationship. This book examines their work and personal lives and that relationship. Supporting the biographical narrative are complete production histories of their eight collaborative films, interviews with over a dozen of their coworkers and friends, archival studio material, and fully detailed filmographies. There are many unusual, never-before-published portraits, stills, and poster reproductions. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Wait
This is a truly excellent box covering the lives of two horror superstars.But wait before you pay the crooks on the Marketplace $50 or more dollars for a beat up copy.This book is getting a revision and will be back in print next year.Pick it up then, it is well worth the price.The author though a little Karloff biased, does some phenomenal research on both men and the movies they made.I couldn't stop reading this one.

A worthwhile resource and read
Fans of the era of Universal Studios classic horror films should not hesitate to purchase this book. Few icons of cinema surpass Bela Lugosi or Boris Karloff in the minds of horror gourmets. Mank provides in this weighty volume a detailed background to the few films these two stars shared billing. Mank includes firsthand accoutns, gossip, production history, and some authorial analysis (that more often compliments the details than intrudes). This is a resource that demands repeated readings, especially after watching a Lugosi/Karloff film.

Kings of horror given royal treatment
This book is well written and painstakingly researched. Mank has personally interviewed as many of the players in the Bela Lugosi and Boris Karloff story as was possible, and to his credit he includes plenty of conflicting stories. He has poured through studio records and includes information on star billing, salaries and even production updates. Mank even goes to the trouble of giving exact addresses of the stars homes! The end of the book features complete career information about each star (including theatre, film and television) and a detailed filmography of the films they made together.

The book takes a linear route, and Mank treats it like a slowly unraveling story beginning with Karloff's arrival on the Universal lot to play Frankenstein's monster and ending with his death. In between those events he devotes entire chapters to the eight films Lugosi and Karloff made together: The Black Cat (1934), Gift of Gab (1934), The Raven (1935), The Invisible Ray (1936), Son of Frankenstein (1939), Black Friday (1940), You'll Find Out (1940) and The Body Snatcher (1945). In addition a few chapters are provided in between to fill out the story between movies (including a chapter devoted to Bride of Frankenstein) and separate chapters at the end devoted to the end of each star's life. The chapter on the Black Cat is particularly detailed and informative and makes the book worth the price and the time in and of itself.

The 372 pages are packed with information. There are quotes from the stars themselves, their wives, friends, fellow actors and directors. As I said before many of these stories disagree especially when it comes to Lugosi. There are many mini-biographies of such luminaries as James Whale, Dwight Frye, Edgar Ulmer, David Manners, Colin Clive, Peter Lorre, Val Lewton, and just about every other major figure to come in contact with the two actors. There are many great full-page pictures (many that I haven't seen anywhere else).

Mank proceeds from the premise of contrasting "Dear Boris" as a gentle beloved distinguished and successful actor and "Poor Bela" as a doomed tragic figure who was misunderstood and a victim of circumstance and his own mismanaged affairs. This is a great hook to give the book some spice, but ultimately it is the weakness of the book. Mank is up front about the fact that he is biased towards Karloff, and I feel he misses the point at times about Lugosi's talent and his ultimate fate. For instance he praises Karloff for knowing when he was in a dog and phoning in his performance and condemns Lugosi for always playing his heart out no matter how bad the film. I disagree with this approach completely. However, despite the sometime distracting Karloff bias, this book is still the best and most informative book I have ever read on the subject. To his credit, Mank tries hard to be fair (who after all is truly unbiased and at least Mank recognizes his) to the point of printing opinions that don't agree with his.

I highly recommend this to any fan of Boris Karloff, Bela Lugosi, classic horror movies, old Hollywood and film in general. It is both fascinating and easy to read. ... Read more

Product Description

"Good evening.
I am...Dracula."

From the night-cloaked mountains of Transylvania he comes, a sinister figure whose very name is synonymous with the Living Dead. But in the gleaming urban landscapes of the twenty-first century, who truly believes in the bloodthirsty superstitions of the past? Surely there are no such things as vampires, not in this day and age.

Or are there?

As a mysterious stranger moves among us, pursuing his own unfathomable agenda while feasting upon the throbbing veins of the captivated women who fall irresistibly under his spell, ancient legends prove all too accurate -- and the most celebrated vampire of them all haunts the night once more!

Featuring an original introduction by Bela Lugosi Jr., son of the silver screen's greatest Dracula! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (8)

I bought it because Bela Jr. said his Dad would like it
After reading it I'm not so sure.The scientific explanation of Dracula was a bold move, but the author kind of painted himself in a corner and admitted in the book that even he couldn't explain the supernatural powers Dracula has in the story.It is a pretty good story with some original concepts, but there are some confusing things that distract from the enjoyment of it.Bela Lugosi is referred to in the story, but no one questions why there is a Van Helsing, Renfield, and others present.

VERY ORIGINAL, VERY INTERESTING
Although I was slightly disappointed that the real vampire Count Dracula was not in this, I was quickly surprised at this rather genious reworking of the legend. This book depicts "real" vampirism, without the supernatural aspect, displaying it as more of a disease than a hellish curse. The plot is like a modern telling of the original Lugosi film, with some original additions and twists created by the author. The characters' names are the same, and at some points in the story it feels like we are not in modern day Georgia, but London in the 1800's. In any case, this was a very enjoyable book, and is by no means cliche or predictable. The ending, in particular was a very creative twist. What I loved most was how different this book would be than what I originally expected. If you love the classic monsters, or are a Dracula fan, read this book. It'll be a fun experience!

The best contemporary Dracula
Great!One needs to say no more.If you like contemporary Dracula stories this is the one for you.At last a believable version of the age old classic.The book contains a twist like none other at the end.A must read for any fan of Lugosi.

Fantastic book!!
Christopher Schildt manages to capture in this unassuming mass-market paperback the essence and gothic elegance of Bram Stoker's original "Dracula."Schildt delivers this captivating and fast-paced story with a literary flair that will leave the reader hanging on every word.Fans of the horror genre and of the original Dracula story will love this book.Other readers will quickly find that "Night of Dracula" is as much of a love story and mystery as it is a "horror" book, and will thoroughly enjoy it as well.

I can't wait to read Schildt's next book!

Highly recommended
I just finished reading this book and, while I have never written a review before, I feel that some of the comments made by another reviewer need clarifying, as this is far from an awful book.Christopher Schildt has done the unimaginable and written a contemporary Dracula book that is not cliche or boring.Bram Stoker's original characters are joined by Schildt's own, and all are exciting.The dynamism of these characters accurately portrays the conflict of the human condition, and the difficult choice between reason and emotion that we all face.

Understand: this book is not simply a rehashing of Stoker's story, but rather an original story.And any educated reader will find that the mention of such topics as AIDS is by no means an added distraction or meaningless drivel, but an intelligent, albeit subtle, commentary on such a grave problem.Schildt's social conscience must be admired.

Bottom-line: "Night of Dracula" is a well-written, enjoyable story, and well worth buying. ... Read more

Product Description
Abbott and Costello meet Frankenstein is in production and there s strange doings afoot at Universal Studios: a phantom arsonist, kidnapping ambulance attendants, and an escaped Nazi scientist are on the loose and ready to kill to keep their secrets. Titans of terror and erstwhile amateur sleuths Boris Karloff and Basil Rathbone are keeping a secret from their former ally, Bela Lugosi, and the screen Dracula doesn t like it one bit! Lugosi is confident that he is the better detective and enlists the aid of Lou Costello as his Watson. Together they face danger at every turn! They soon cross paths with wolf man Lon Chaney, Jr., monster man Glenn Strange, and mysterious beauty Lenore Aubert, who is taking her femme fatale role a little too seriously for comfort. It isn t long before Lugosi and Costello uncover the shocking secret behind...the House of Doom. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

More Lugosi Fun!!!
Dwight Kemper has written another imaginative Hollywood romp with three of my favorite screen actors--Bela Lugosi, Boris Karloff and Basil Rathbone.Kemper obviously does a great deal of research in writing his stories (be sure to read his first in this series, Who Framed Boris Karloff).This is a terrific story, and told in during the filming of one of my favorite films, Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein.You will NOT BE DISAPPOINTED with this mystery!!! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

FOR ONE THING, IT'S "BELA"
Detailed overview of this gifted/troubled actor's collection of films. As with all performers, there are classics and clinkers and all are covered. Death hasn't dimmed his star-power in the least, as his films are still shown and appreciated. Throughout television, film festivals, video and DVD releases, Bela Lugosi remians one of the most recognized icons in film history. This volume serves him well. ... Read more

Product Description
High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! BélaLugosi (20 October 1882 - 16 August 1956) was aHungarianactor of stageand screen, well knownfor playing Count Dracula in the Broadway play andsubsequent film version. In the last years of hiscareer he featured in several of Ed Wood's lowbudget films. ... Read more

Product Description
1949 Bela Lugosi as Dracula autograph. Bold green ink autograph reads, "Bela Lugosi / as / Dracula!" Signed during Lugosi's 1949 summer stock performance of Dracula in Hartford, Connecticut. Sheet measures 7.25" x 3.5". Some creasing to page, else excellent condition. Would frame beautifully with a photograph of the actor as the famed vampire. ... Read more