Dracula’s Daughter (1936) Movie Review

Gloria Holden is poised, assured, and fabulous in the title role. She never overacts and challenges her co-stars to rise to the level she has set. The story too, is compelling, and unique for a 1930s horror film; it presents much more as a psychological drama than an out-and-out vampire flick. This both works in its favor and detriment. Camp Kaiju discusses this classic Universal monster movie with The Eldritch Review podcast. This episode was originally released in October, 2021.

Dracula's Daughter (1936) feat. The Eldritch Review – Camp Kaiju: Monster Movie Podcast

Parker from The Eldritch Review horror podcast joins to discuss this underrated classic! Seriously, why aren't people talking more about this movie?? Be sure to follow The Eldritch Review wherever you podcast for more classic monster movies. And thank you all for listening. If you'd like to support the show further, visit ⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/campkaiju⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠campkaijumoviereviews.com⁠⁠⁠, and Instagram (@camp_kaiju) for more monster movie content – and email us at campkaiju@gmail.com with your own monster movie thoughts and questions!  Camp Kaiju: Monster Movie Reviews. Dracula's Daughter (1936, directed by Lambert Hillyer) Movie Review. Hosted by Vincent S. Hannam — Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/camp-kaiju/support

Director: Lambert Hillyer
Screenplay: John L. Balderston, Garrett Fort. Inspired by the story, “Dracula’s Guest” by Bram Stoker
Producers: E.M. Asher
Cinematography: George Robinson
Editing: Milton Carruth
Music: Heinz Roemheld
Select Cast: Gloria Holden, Otto Krueger, Edward Van Sloan, Marguerite Churchill, Irving Pichel, Gilbert Emery
Runtime: 71 minutes
Country of Origin: USA
US Release: May 11, 1936; Universal Pictures

While Holden anchors the film with her performance, the overall bland directorial vision of the picture leaves you wanting more. You are left with a great sense of potential, if only a creative powerhouse had been behind the camera to take advantage of the psychological and horror elements. James Whale? Alfred Hitchcock? Even the original Dracula (1931) duo of Browning and Freund would have excelled in truly exploring the true torment of Holden’s Countess.

Nevertheless, Dracula’s Daughter stands the test of time for being the last of its kind. As fate would have it, the film would be the last produced by Universal maverick Carl Laemmle Jr., the horror aficionado responsible for kick starting the horror fad of the 1930s; pre-code cornerstones like Karloff’s Frankenstein, Lugosi’s Dracula, and many others. And despite being released in a decidedly post-Code landscape, Dracula’s Daughter still manages an air of salaciousness in the tradition of pre-Code Hollywood. This allows the film to overcome its otherwise “safe” presentation. Unfortunately, for Universal and cinema-goers, playing it safe would become the dominant aesthetic in the ensuing years. In 1936, Laemmle and his father, Carl senior, hit financial troubles and lost control of Universal to creditors.

by Vincent S. Hannam

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