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