You really need to see BRIDES OF DRACULA, MB.  The histrionic dowager factor is high with Martita Hunt (the greatest Miss Havisham of them all, in David Lean's 1940s film of GREAT EXPECTATIONS) and Freda Jackson duelling for the role of scenery shredding doyenne.  I think it's a tie though Freda just may have the edge for this extraordinary scene where she performs wake-up call duties for a new Bride.

It's also probably the most Freudian vampire movie ever made, with some great setpieces...
G.

That's awesome, MB.  Thanks for mentioning this!

Hey, wait, does this appearance involving Thayer demonstrating a certain trick device to the good Lieutenant?  I just may have seen it...

My brain... once, I had one... lol.

Best, G.

It's pretty much off topic, but the complete COLUMBO box set is today's deal (11/5/2013).  It's around 60 bucks and the usual retail price is around 160.

I think at least a couple of DS stars appeared in guest roles on Columbo.  I remember a rumor that Grayson did one but it would appear that that was not true.  I think Columbo was one of the few 1970s series Thayer DIDN'T appear on...

G.

In DRACULA'S DAUGHTER, Countess Zaleska seeks "treatment" for her "condition" believing that modern psychotherapy might help.  In HOUSE OF DRACULA (which may have been where Malcolm Marmorstein, or whoever originated the idea of Dr. Julius Hoffman, got the idea), the Count's blood is analysed and the results are very similar to Julia's 1967 diagnosis ("the destructive nature of your blood cells... introduce a new plasma into your arterial system"). 

In the 1958 HORROR OF DRACULA, van Helsing alternatively speaks of vampirism as a cult or a disease.  In BRIDES OF DRACULA (1960) it's implied that vampirism is a form of spiritual perversion and one could pick it up simply by going to the wrong parties.  In KISS OF THE VAMPIRE, the idea of the vampires practicing an inverted form of Christianity reaches a mature expression, one which continues through the remainder of the Hammer Dracula film series.

DS stole from a number of classic horror and fantasy films. It's always fun when you're watching a film and suddenly realize that something is there that most likely inspired a favorite episode or plot point on DS.

G.

I just commented to a friend that "Alexander Grayson" seems more like an updated or expanded version of Barnabas Collins than any other recent vampire I've seen.  Of course I haven't been watching True Blood or the Vampire Diaries or any of the others...

"Grayson" has the Barnabas thing going on (particularly reminiscent of the 1897 Barnabas, and the date of the Dracula series is supposed to be 1897, even though an automobile that appeared in the new installment dates I think to around 1904) of having big plans but also issues of impulse, moodiness, and difficulties with rage management... and on top of it all... bloodlust.

I loved how the new show was filmed, particularly the scene where Dracula was seducing/luring Sinead.

G.

The promo for tonight's episode has Dracula speaking of wanting to "be free to walk in the sunlight" and to be a mortal again... sound familiar?

As far as I'm concerned, the show earns its keep everytime one of those haughty minxes flounces her heavy crinoline through one of those sets... or, on the other hand, the camera lingers lovingly on JRM's nude body (only the upper portion of course, since it is NBC, but we'll take what we can get).

G.

The time period is 1810.

Pennock or whoever it was may have just been wearing his own wedding ring.  When did the custom of rings become widespread for married folk?

G.