Bela Lugosi


Lugosi poses for a photo shoot

Born in Lugos, Hungary, in 1882, it is not hard to figure out where Bela took his on stage last name from.  A lieutenant in World War One, Lugosi strarted his career in England on stage, and then made his way over to America during the late 1920's.  When Lon Chaney passed away in 1930, Tod Browning, director of Dracula, turned to Lugosi, who had playing the role of Count Dracula on stage.  Lugosi never got passed this role, and became quite full of himself.  When he was offered the role of The Monster in Frankenstein, he declined since the make-up would make him unnoticable and he would have no lines.  Ending his career with a long string of B-movies, one feat that Lugosi did accomplish was to help organize the Screen Actors Guild in the 1930's.

L.C. Subject Headings

The following Library of Congress Subject Headings are for use in searching the on-line catalog for materials pertaining to Bela Lugosi.

Biographies

Cremer, Robert.  Lugosi: The Man Behind the Cape.  Chicago: Henry Regnery Co., 1976.
[Davis, 7th floor stacks: PN2859.H86 L833]

By far the best biography of Lugosi, this work leaves no stone unturned in describing the actor’s life.  As with all the biographies, in the back there is a complete filmography that lists the director, cast and studio.  There is also a stageography, which lists the roles he played, the author and the premiere date. There is a very large index, and what makes this book really interesting is the introduction by Bela Lugosi, Jr.
Lenning, Arthur.  The Count: The Life and Films of Bela "Dracula" Lugosi.  New York:  G.P. Putnam’s Sons, 1974.
[Davis, 7th floor stacks: PN2859.H86 L835]
Lenning’s book is not of the same caliber as The Man Behind the Cape, as the writing seems a bit dumbed down.  What makes this book nice is the overwhelming amount of pictures it contains, many of which are publicity shots and signed photos.  If it is a well written book you are looking for Cremer’s book would be a better bet, but for a simpler book with good pictures try The Count.
Rhodes, Gary Don.  Lugosi: His Life in Films, on Stage, and in the Hearts of Horror Lovers.  Jefferson, N.C.: McFarland & Co., 1997.
[Davis, 7th floor stacks: PN2859.H86 L836 1997]
This book is designed much differently than the other two, and this sets it apart from the rest.  The actual biographical account of Lugosi’s life only takes up the first 65 pages of the book, but it is the rest of the information that is so distinctive.  Broken into four parts, the first, as stated, is the biography.  Next is a list of his performances, made up of films, stage appearances, vaudeville, radio, television spots and many other categories.  The third section has reviews and articles about the actor, as well as famous Lugosi quotations.  Lastly is a smaller section comprised of critique and appreciation, which also has a chapter devoted to Lugosi merchandise.

Filmographies

Bojarski, Richard.  The Films of Bela Lugosi.  Secaucus, N.J.: Citadel Press, 1980.
[Davis, 7th floor stacks: PN2859.H86 L832]

This book begins with a very brief biography which is then followed by the filmography.  First are lists of the early films Lugosi made in Hungary and Germany, then a small section on his early American films.  Most of the movies that follow are given a full two pages, consisting of a plot summary, credits, reviews and notes, although some of larger and more successful movies are given many more pages (Dracula, The Black Cat).  The pictures in this book are phenomenal, and this is the book to consult if you want relevant, however not incredible information, but great images.

Essays and Criticism

Svelha, Gary J. & Susan.  Bela Lugosi.  Baltimore, M.D.: Midnight Marquee Press, 1995.
[Davis, 7th floor stacks: PN2859.H86 L8318 1995]

Bela Lugosi is the first book in the Midnight Marquee Actors Series, and this work by the Svelhas has detailed entries about many of Lugosi’s films between 1928 and 1956.  With essays written by many great horror writers and critics, this book is very authoritative.  Although much of this book is devoted to many of the poorer movies Lugosi starred in, Bela Lugosi still contains enough information on his earlier films to warrant the use of those interested in his career with Universal.  The second book in this series, Boris Karloff, is just as rich in information, however it is unavailable in the local libraries.

World Wide Web Resources

The Chamber of Dr. Werdegast

This unofficial site called The Chamber of Dr. Werdegast is the most comprehensive of all the Lugosi related sites out there.  Just like all of the other sites this one also has a filmography and a brief but decent biography.  What separates this one from the pack, however, are the other sections it contains.  For example, there is a list of reviews for all of his movies which come from five different movie guides.  So for any given film, if one of these books has a review, it is there.  Also at this website is a list of books published about Bela Lugosi and full text scripts for two of his later movies, Glen or Glenda? and Plan 9 from Outer Space.
 

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