D-d-d-racula

Yes, more Lugosi. It just seems right this time of year. A number of actors have played and will play Dracula, but Lugosi will always BE Dracula.

Above, this picture should be next to the word malevolence in the dictionary. Below, it's nice to see that SOMEthing makes him happy.

Above and below, Helen Chandler's date is turning out so well.

Magical Mystery Tour

Magicians were huge in the 1930s and 40s, with cult followings (usually other magicians), and are regarded even now as legendary showmen, having cultivated an aura of ancient dark wisdom.

As we are reminded in the last post's comments by Britt Reid (I was getting to it, Britt ; ) ) , Dr. Neff was a real-life magician with a real-life magical mystery tour. Bill Neff (1905-1967) was famous for his Madhouse of Mystery show—a 2 ton stage extravaganza, requiring 13 assistants!

Besides his comic book adventures (in his own title and also featured in the 1940s Red Dragon series) there is an interesting book about him, as Mr. Reid points out, called Pleasant Nightmares—Dr. Neff and His Madhouse of Mystery by William Rauscher.

You can see that Dr. Neff had legendary help in his stage shows.

Bela Lugosi with Bill Neff, 1947

Interested in pop culture? While you're online, check out some of Mr. Reid's blogs here, here and here.

Dr. Neff — Ghost Breaker

Before there were Ghost Busters, there were the 1948 Ghost Breakers, featuring Dr. Neff. This is a sliced off cover that's been rattling around in my morgue, and every time I see it, I think of the actor John Noble, who portrays our beloved Walter on Fringe.

Bob Powell — Ghost Breakers #1 — 1948

Personally I think the resemblance is spooky. What's even spookier: John Noble was BORN in 1948! Coincidence? You decide . . .

John Noble

1935ish

Joan Crawford is not a favorite actress of mine, but this is my favorite photo of Joan Crawford, 1935ish.

Bogart

Anyone who loves Bogart has to love this beautiful illustration by Sanjulian. 

This is as good a place as any to remind everyone that material posted on this 'blog is copyrighted by creators and publishers and it is a major violation to utilize these works in a commercial manner, without proper authorization. I post this material in the non-profit interest of public information. 

Some of these creations would make dandy posters and such, but don't try to make money at it.

This piece is copyrighted by Sanjulian.

Ain't it a beauty though?

My Favorite Kate

There are a lot of Kates in showbiz, but Katherine Hepburn is/was my favorite (though don't get me wrong, the others are pretty nifty too). This Kate has been portrayed a lot over the years, all displaying her great character.

My Favorite Kate

Richard Amsel was a terrific portrait illustrator and I certainly like his take on Kate:

Not sure who this artist is, but it's a nice charcoal:

Wally Wood's take on Kate and Bogie is nice. This is from Panic, so it doesn't have the wit of Harvey Kurtzman, but Woody's art is funny and wonderful:

My Favorite Kate

My Favorite Non-Living Actor

The Man in the White Suit and The Bridge on the River Kwai were among many other movies made excellent by Alec Guinness' excellence. 

As can be said for the original Star Wars film. He was not particularly proud of his association with Star Wars, even though it rewarded him handsomely, and this image is one of the icons of our times.

The man had been married for 62 years when he died, 9 years ago.