Mark of the Vampire (1935)

Director:

Tod Browning

Writers:

Guy Endore (screenplay) and
Bernard Schubert (screenplay)

Release Date:

26 April 1935 (USA)

Genre:

Horror | Mystery

Plot:

When a nobleman is murdered, a professor of the occult blames vampires; but not all is what it seems.

Plot Keywords:

Gypsy | Beetle | Graveyard | Cellar | Rat

Cast

Lionel Barrymore	...	Professor Zelen
Elizabeth Allan	...	Irena Borotyn
Bela Lugosi	...	Count Mora
Lionel Atwill	...	Inspector Neumann
Jean Hersholt	...	Baron Otto Von Zinden
Henry Wadsworth	...	Count Fedor Vencenti
Donald Meek	...	Dr. Doskil
Jessie Ralph	...	Midwife (scenes deleted)
Ivan F. Simpson	...	Jan (as Ivan Simpson)
Franklyn Ardell	...	Chauffeur
Leila Bennett	...	Maria
June Gittelson	...	Annie
Carroll Borland	...	Luna Mora (as Carol Borland)
Holmes Herbert	...	Sir Karell Borotyn
Michael Visaroff	...	Innkeeper

Also Known As:

Vampires of Prague

Runtime:

60 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Colour:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Sound System)

Certification:

Canada:F (Ontario) | USA:Approved (PCA #725)

Company:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

Trivia:

An alternate ending with a second twist, in which Lionel Barrymore's character receives a telegram from the vaudeville actors apologizing for not being able to make their train for the castle assignment, was proposed, but Browning rejected it.

Quotes:

Irena Borotyn: I felt her deadly cold breath on my throat. I must have fainted. I knew no more.

Movie Connections:

Featured in Vampire déchu, Le (2007) (TV)

Tod Browning's third horror milestone in a row!

Tod Browning easily is one of the most important directors who ever lived. Sure, he might not enjoy the same post-mortem status as a Stanley Kubrick or a Alfred Hitchcock but he single-handedly was responsible for some of the most important and genre-forming horror films. In a period of barely 5 years he brought us: Dracula (the mother of all vampire-movies and THE film that made Bela Lugosi immortal), Freaks (still amazingly scary after more than 70 years), this Mark of the Vampire and Devil Doll in 1936.

This film more or less is the first accomplishment that `plays' with the rules of the genre and creatively adds some very ingenious twists. A prominent citizen of a small community is killed and the superstitious population are convinced that the bizarre, vicious Count Mora is responsible for this act of terror. Count Mora and his freaky daughter Luna are believed to be vampires and the village's curse. Since the victim's beautiful daughter obviously is the next target, professor Zelin sets a trap the bloodthirsty killer red-handed. Mark of the Vampire is an eccentric horror effort and definitely ahead of its time! The opening sequences are atmospherically frightening and the nightly noises still have the ability to scare you. The illogical – but extremely dared – twists near the end easily guarantee this film an honored spot in the horror annals. Please see it for yourself and you'll agree that this film is tough to review! Personally, I thought Lionel Barrymore overacts terribly….then again, the development of the film provides him with an excuse for this! I am certain about one thing, though! Bela Lugosi gives away an outstanding performance. Naturally, his role here is overshadowed by his starring in Dracula but I dare to say he's equally chilling here. Lugosi almost has no lines to say, but his grimaces speak for themselves. Check it out!!