How about a cartoon?
From my early, early childhood.
Watching the full episodes on youtube, I have questions:
1. My understanding of werewolves is they were/are a Europe-wide cultural phenomenon. Why does he have to be of Romanian ancestry? Is our stereotype of Romanians such that they can only be characters in horror movies? A super organized and humorless German would like to know…
2. What kind of Romanian last name is Howard? Seriously.
BTW, the cartoon looks nothing like Michael J. Fox in the movie on which this is based.
I can answer that in 2 words : Bela Lugosi. He was THE vampire. The grand-daddy of them all.
Wikipedia him, it’s a good read. But, although it mentions his trade-union work, it doesn’t mention the biggy – he is rumored to have started, and been one of the 3 heads of SAG (Screen Actor’s Guild = the actor’s union) – which was later run by the Ronald Reagan (former US President).
Ballsy really because taking on the film studios when you make a good living as an actor is a long hard fight, and not going to get tickle your boss’s fancy. It might have been the factor in Lugosi not getting any more film work until Ed Wood dug him back up.
Perhaps my memory is imperct on this – could it have been some earliest actor’s union? Not sure. But, whichever, when actors get paid money instead of peanuts, they have Bela Lugosi to thank – he gave up his carreer to fight for them.
My favorite of his was his vampire comedy “Abbott and Costello meet Frankenstein” – they also meet Dracula, a mad scientist, the werewolf, and at the end, briefly, the invisable man. There is also a halloween party, a big castle and 2 pretty women – and of course, Abbott and Costello.What more could you want? It’s in black & white. That does make the shadows intense, and give it an after dark feel.
Bela Lugosi was a great actor – but it is a bit arty (theatrical, naturally) for today. His era was just after films had sound – so the acting style had more obvious physical communication. His intonation of “I want to drink your blood” is famous and perfect, if you can’t say it like Lugosi, you aren’t a vampire.
Would make a GREAT ring tone!!!!! “I want to drink your blood” would be words you would use for _____? Expect looks form people near by. I think the line is from one of his earlier vampire movies, maybe the first one?