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Dracula and The Raven. I've been on a real Lugosi tear lately. I almost like his pairing with Karloff in the Raven better than in The Black Cat. I love how Karloff seemingly played his roles in the Raven and Son of Frankenstein a little toned down to let Bela take center stage. Or at least that's what I like to think happened. I find it sad that we have no real Iconic actors in this day and age like Rathbone, Price and the aforementioned Lugosi and Karloff. Just pretty young things looking to bulk up their resumes on the way to a romantic comedy.
In any case, I find Browning's Dracula to be an odd film as it is so often silent and so uncomfortably stagy. Bela is pure magnetism and along with Dwight Frye make the movie entertaining and powerful.
The Raven is becoming one of my new favorites from this era. Karloff is so sad and pitiable. It's a great, understated performance. Bela rules as usual in a very menacing role. Death is his Talisman!
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