World Dracula Day


 

One of the most famous books in English literature was released on this day in 1897.

While it has inspired numerous movies and vampire lore in general, it wasn't the first.

Carmilla came out in 1872, and heavily influenced later Gothic vampire fiction.  It may be that a female antagonist was less appealing to early film adaptations, but it's also noted that Stoker's "monster-hunting plot" was better for the stage and screen. 

There's also some history that predates all of this, that of Vlad the Impaler.

Vlad II joined the Order of the Dragon in 1431 and took the name Dracul.  His son, Vlad III, would then take the name Dracula, or son of the dragon.

Bran Castle has become the tourist destination for the look that inspired Stoker, but his real home was Poenari Castle.


Despite the fact that Stoker did not invent the name Dracula, his wife pursued copyright protections against the studio making Nosferatu.  They changed the vampire's name to Count Orlock, but Stoker argued that it was still an adaptation.  Ultimately, the film prints were ordered to be destroyed.

Some copies had already been sent out though, and the fact that it exists today is thanks to piecemeal restorations over the years.

In 1931, the Stoker estate agreed to let Universal make a Dracula movie, with Bela Lugosi setting the image for generations.



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