Drácula (1931) | Spanish-Language Cinema

In Spanish with English subtitles.The Spanish-language version of the Bram Stoker novel, filmed simultaneously with the Bela Lugosi classic.Horror aficionados have long sung the praises of Universal's 1931 Spanish-language version of DRACULA, shot simultaneously and on the same sets as Tod Browning's celebrated English-language classic starring Bela Lugosi. Directed by George Melford and starring Carlos Villarías as the vampire "Conde Drácula," this version boasts a more well-rounded plot (perhaps due to it running a half hour longer than Browning's). Evincing a more "pre-Code" sensuality (with daringly dishabille costuming) than its better-known twin, the Spanish-language DRACULA makes for fascinating viewing.Soon after beginning work for Conde Dracula (Carlos Villarias), the clerk Renfield (Pablo Alvarez Rubio) learns that his employer is, in fact, a vampire who lives on human blood. Now under Dracula’s spell, Renfield helps his master travel to London, where the vampire takes another victim (Carmen Guerrero). Dracula also has eyes on the lovely Eva (Lupita Tovar), but her fiancé, Juan Harker (Barry Norton), and a wise professor named Van Helsing (Eduardo Arozamena) seek to stop him.