Mark of the Vampire

Before the film's infamous twist ending, this strangely disappointing derivative "Dracula"/vampire movie had already settled into being quite the well polished bore. Although I had become desperate for some kind of escalation or twist, the reveal brought with it only minor relief to the story's blandness. While there are some charming spookies and some decent atmosphere scattered about, the movie never really becomes more than just mildly watchable with its bungled plot.

Well, that didn't make a lotta sense at all. Typical cluelessness whenever MGM tries to do horror. Cool sets though and very nice on the eye (thanks to Mr Howe). The scenes with Luna stalking through the graveyard more than a little reminiscent of Plan Nine (coincidence?--I think not). One great moment: Luna flying into the scene on wings.

It's pretty boring, and the end was pretty retarded, but I'm cutting it some slack because of it's standing in the timeline of vampire movies. I also give it a plus for Lugosi and Barrymore.

Browning does a nice atmospheric job with this _London After Midnight_ remake that further benefits from fine perfs delivered by Bela and a couple of Lionels. Unfortunately, it's all an elaborate hoax, as the movie contorts itself to the point of breaking to avoid being an actual horror film. Red-herring Bela's few lines at film's end are eerily prophetic.

The specter of James Whale forced Browning to step his game up with this one. It's pretty eerie at times - Bela in the hallway, Luna turning into a bat are both well done, and the whole creepy crawly castle bit is a lot of fun. The twist is a torpedo to the story's broadside, but it's a fun ride getting there.