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About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (March 31, 1977)
Dracula scrapbook furthers cult without elucidating A Night In Transylvania; The Dracula Scrapbook Kurt Brokaw Gorsset & Dunlap, 1976, $5.95 In 1972, Raymond McNally and Radu Florescu published “In Search of Dracula,” an authorita tive book tracing their research into the real Dracula (immor talized, in more ways than one, by Bram Stoker in his 1897 novel). The book was an instant best sel ler, and was followed in 1973 by “Dracula: A Biography of Vlad the Impaler” (this time reversing the authors’ names; it is listed as by Radu Florescu and Raymond McNally). These two books had a far-ranging effect. The so-called “Dracula Craze" has already begun in the United States, but Florescu and McNally make it an international affair, complete with organized tours to remote Romania to view the acutal sites of Vlad Dracul’s life and death. Since that time, there have been a good many books dealing with Dracula, both fact and fiction. Most of them are pulp fiction or cheap re-hashes of material al ready covered by the two experts. “A Night In Transylvania” boasts an introduction by the two Roma nian scholars (Florescu is, as a matter of fact, an indirect descen der^ of the original Dracula), but beyond that it offers nothing new in the field, though it is one of the more attractively packaged vol umes available on the subject...on the popular level. Both of McNally's and Florescu’s earlier books were semi-scholarly in tone. Brokaw's book is definitely for the popular market. It is a large paperback (known as a “trade book”) with simple text, profusely illustrated and well presented. Among the il lustrations are several new photographs of the Dracula sites, showing the restoration which was sparked by the Dracula re naissance, and a number of film stills which have not had wide cir culation. Also included are vast numbers of illustrations from the pulp press and comic books, and a few original drawings which show little skill or talent. Both text and graphics carry on the popular idea that no one cap tured Dracula on film better than Bela Lugosi. This is a debatable point, and the book does give cre dit to Christopher Lee, who made Auditions held for VLT Actors are needed for the clos ing show of the season at the Very Little Theatre, “Arsenic and Old Lace.” Fourteen people are sought, ranging in age from 20 up to 60 or 70; mostly males are desired but women may be substituted. Auditions are scheduled for Sunday at 2 p.m., Monday and Tuesday at 8 p.m. at the VLT, 2350 Hilyard St. Just show up whether in terested in acting or in production as no prior experience is neces sary and all try-outs are open to the public. “Arsenic and Old Lace” was written by Joseph Kesselring and is to be directed by the talented and versitile, Bill Burger. It’s about two well meaning elderly sisters who have hit upon the charity of bringing peace and tranquility to elderly and familyless old men by the sipping of arsenic-laced, home-made elderberry wine. The play opens with another customer awaiting burial in the window-seat-box and one of the sisters’ chatting to the vicar. Be fore long we have the sisters' well-meaning intentions disco vered by their nephew, the drama critic. Things get very muddled when the intrusion of Jonathan, another nephew who is a criminal and looked like Boris Karloff, really sets things rolling. A third nephew thinks himself Teddy Roosevelt and aids the ladies in removing the yellow fever victims to the Panama Canal which he digs at intervals in the cellar. The setting is 1941 and the en tire action takes place in the living room of the Brewster home in Brooklyn. The play opens May 19, 20, 21 and continues May 25,26, 27, 28 In Dancewear & Theatrical Supplies at Backstage ★ Capezio ★Jazz Wear ★ Danskin ^ ★Gymnastics ★ Tights ★Warmups ★ Leotards ★ Theatrical ★ Ballet Shoes Make-up ★ Tap Shoes ★Records ★ Books BACKSTAGE Dancewear & Theatrical Supplies 878 Pearl Street 686-2671 the most successful Dracula films in history. The text is a bit too elementary to add anything new to the field. In one sense, this is a "coffee table” volume for a select audience, and is designed for younger readers. It is not, however, for children. The vocabulary and style, while elementary, are sophisticated enough to appeal to adult readers, albeit primarily those who see Dracula as a cult figure. Central European scholars might find some of the folklore and illustra tions interesting, though hardly elucidating. The book includes incomplete book and film lists which, while in cluding some lesser-known works which do not generally appear on such lists, somehow manage to leave out some of the better known efforts which are generally considered standard fare. Just how this happened is not clear. Photo courtesy of Little Flags Theatre “Tania”, a political play about Che Guevara will be staged at 7:30 Friday night at Lincoln Community School for $3. It is produced by Little Flags Theatre, who is also sponsoring "Fanshen"in the EMU Ballroom at the same time and cost. SPRING 4-Oth & Donald Eugene, Oregon 345-8289 Any new guitar we have in stock 3317/3% OFF list price (when purchased with a case at regular price). Offer good thru April 15th, 1977 ... no trades or payments on this super-offer. We’re open evenings until 9 for you. SPECIALS T3E0RGE BENSON EMU Cultural Forum presents George Benson April 1st 8:30 PM Mac Arthur Court Tickets: $5.00 U of O Students $6.00 General Public $6.00 Reserved $6.50 Day of Show (all sales) Tickets available at the EMU Main Desk and Everybody’s Records
