Bela Lugosi Movies

This section of the webpage is mainly for people who wish to watch/buy a Bela film and may want to know which one to see first and which one to see last.  Obviously, I want to see them all, but I want to see the ones that interest me the most first.  I will not mention the actual storyline since that is easy to obtain.  I will simply give my own opinion about each Bela film that I have seen.  If you have already seen some of these, you may or may not agree with my opinion.  Hopefully, this will at least help people who have never seen these films to get an idea of what to expect.  I mainly talk about whether the film is worth seeing because of the Bela content, not just the content of the film itself.  Read a few and see for yourself. 

Click on each picture to enlarge.
 

The Deerslayer(1920) Bela is quite convincing as Chingachgook.  This silent film is a good film to see Bela play a different kind of role.

The Silent Command(1923) He has a lot of action scenes in this movie, but he isn't in this movie a lot.  This silent film is still a treat.

The Midnight Girl(1925) Great storyline.  You get a lot of Bela in this silent film. You get to see Bela act in a greedy, lustful way.

The Thirteenth Chair(1929) Bela plays a no-nonsense inspector.  He is very intense in his search for the killer.  You can easily see why Tod Browning was interested in Lugosi for the Dracula role.

Such Men are Dangerous(1930) Interesting story with Bela playing a small, straight role.

Renegades(1930) If you are anxious to see Bela, you will need to be patient.  It takes a while before you finally get to see him.  Plus, he is in full disguise.  However, the few lines he has in this film are memorable. 

Oh, for a Man!(1930) Bela has another small, straight part in an interesting film. 

Dracula(1931) Most may consider this film to be Bela's most famous.  He is not in this film as much as some of the other actors, but he has the juiciest part, of course.

Fifty Million Frenchman(1931) Bela's part only lasts a few seconds in this film.  If you want to see an irate, barely recognizable, pajama-clad Bela, in a confusing movie, buy this movie.

Women of All Nations(1931) You will have to sit through a lot of the film before you get to see Bela.  Be patient.  It is worth the wait to hear Bela meow like a cat.

The Black Camel(1931) Bela does a good job looking like a suspect like in many of his other films.  I found this film to be slow-moving.  I felt impatient watching this.

Broadminded(1931) It is nice to see Bela in a comedy.  In a comedy, it is typical for Bela to have his plans foiled by the actual comedian of the film.  If you can handle sitting through some of Joe E. Brown's antics, you will see Bela in top form.

Murders in the Rue Morgue(1932) Ah, Bela's first American mad scientist role.  Bela is terrific, but I cannot say that for many of the other actors. 

White Zombie(1932) Here is another one of Bela's best roles.  The scenery is very nice too.  If you are a Bela fan, you must buy this film.

Chandu the Magician(1932) Bela wants to conquer the world while keeping Chandu off of his back.  Great film. 

Island of Lost Souls(1933) Look carefully!  Do you see him?  He has a small role, but he has lines that will send shivers down your spine.

The Death Kiss(1933)  Don't be fooled by the publicity still.  Bela does not have a romantic part in this film.  The Dracula cast is reunited and Bela has his talents wasted.  The story is intriguing though.

The Whispering Shadow(1933) For a serial, Bela isn't given much to do, but he is a good guy.  Or is he?

International House(1933) Bela has a similar role in Broadminded as the comic foil.  This time he is surrounded by W.C. Fields and friends.

Night of Terror(1933) Don't be fooled by the title.  This film is not scary and not terrorizing.  Again, Bela's talents are wasted.

The Black Cat(1934) This is my favorite Bela film.  Bela expresses almost every emotion imaginable effectively.  It takes an excellent actor like Bela to accomplish this convincingly.  This movie was scary during its time.

Gift of Gab(1934) Bela has one line in the whole film.  "What time is it?" <sigh>

The Return of Chandu(1934) This is my favorite serial.  Bela has a lot of action scenes.  His talents are not wasted in this serial.  He even puts the Dracula whammy on someone.  And, he plays the hero, Chandu.  How refreshing!

The Best Man Wins(1935) This story is great with talented acting.  Bela has a small role, but he likes fish.

Mysterious Mr. Wong(1935) Maybe this is a good film, maybe.  Bela does a great job, but it is weird hearing someone with a Hungarian accent trying to sound Asian. 

Mark of the Vampire(1935) This fake horror film turns into an investigation.  Bela does not speak until the end, but he is an effective vampire.  The scenery looks eerie too.

The Raven(1935) This is my second favorite Bela film.  No one can play an insane maniac as well as Bela can.  His laugh is priceless.  What a delicious film!

Murder by Television(1935) Two Belas is better than one.

Mystery of the Mary Celeste or The Phantom Ship(1935) A scruffy looking Bela does some emotional acting in this film.  He likes black cats in this movie.  Worth seeing!

The Invisible Ray(1936) Bela play his straight part very well.  He looks distinguished in his goatee.

Postal Inspector(1936) You may want to buy this film just to complete your Bela collection.  Bela isn't given much of an opportunity in this movie.

Shadow of Chinatown(1936) Our favorite European can even look like an Asian when he needs to.  Bela has a lot to do in this serial and he likes fish again.

SOS Coastguard(1937) This is my least favorite Bela serial.  He plays your typical boogieman.  Of course, he does the best he can with the role that is given to him.

Son of Frankenstein(1939) Another of Bela's most famous roles.  You will not recognize him, but you will recognize the great acting ability.

The Gorilla(1939) This movie is funny in parts even though you get Bela in another butler role.  It's a fun film.  Did Bela or the stuntman flip someone onto his back?  Take a look.

The Phantom Creeps(1939) Bela is in this serial a lot.  If you like silly looking robots and cool gadgets,  you'll enjoy this serial. 

Ninotchka(1939) Bela plays a straight part that lasts around five minutes near the end of the film.  Great movie!  Not enough Bela.

Dark Eyes of London or The Human Monster(1939) Bela's character is bad to the bone in this movie.  This is probably his most evil role while not being a monster or mad scientist.  The story will keep you on the edge of your seat.  This movie was easily an adult movie during its time.

Saint's Double Trouble(1940) Bela is not given much to do.  He likes harmonica music though. 

Black Friday(1940) Bela isn't given much to do, but he has a convincing death scene.  How would you like to be locked in a closet?

You'll Find Out(1940) The story is corny in places, but it is pleasant to see three horror stars in one film together.  I am afraid Bela got the shortest end of the stick.

The Devil Bat(1941) A fake looking bat, but a real looking Bela!  You will see him at his sinister best.  Don't say goodbye to this film.

The Black Cat(1941)  If you enjoy seeing Bela lurk in the shadows and nothing else, this is the film for you.

The Invisible Ghost(1941) Great psychological story.  You will feel sorry for Bela's character in this movie. 

Spooks Run Wild(1941) If you were hoping this movie was scary, you will see "silly" instead.  The kids can be funny at times.  Bela does the best he can while being surrounded by silliness.  "Scum!"

The Wolf Man(1941) Bela plays a character named Bela.  He isn't given a lot to do, but he has a memorable and important part.

Ghost of Frankenstein(1942) Ygor.  Does this answer your question? It is so good to see him back.  Great movie!  Chaney does a great job playing the monster. 

Black Dragons(1942) It's not Bela's fault that he was given an uninteresting character.  However, he has a woman flirt with him in this.

The Corpse Vanishes(1942)  He is not a vampire, but he sleeps in a coffin.

Bowery at Midnight(1942) This is a great film.  Bela can show his good side and his bad side.  Lots of excitement!

Night Monster(1942) Another butler role.  Need I say more? 

Frankenstein Meets the Wolf Man(1943) Bela wasn't given much to do as the monster.  He doesn't talk either.  Perhaps his age and health partially kept him from having more to do. 

The Ape Man(1943) Bad set, bad story, bad acting.  I would not blame Bela.  He has make-up similar to Island of Lost Souls.

Ghosts on the Loose(1943) Worse than Spooks Run Wild.  Bela is given a small role.  Hearing Bela sneeze was the best part of the movie. 

Return of the Vampire(1944) A combination of the war, a vampire, and a wolf.  This is worth seeing Bela play the vampire part.  He is not Count Dracula in this movie.

Voodoo Man(1944) Bela plays this role with a lot of passion.  This movie has some sad parts.  You want to cry when you watch it, but you know deep down that he must be stopped.

Return of the Ape Man(1944)  This movie should be called The Cave Man.  Bela has a lot of energy and has a lot to do as the mad scientist.  John Carradine does a fine job acting with Bela.

One Body Too Many(1944) Coffee is the running gag.  Bela is the butler, but has some funny lines.  Worth watching once.

The Body Snatcher(1945)  This movie has its scary moments.  Unfortunately for Bela fans,  Boris Karloff has the more interesting role. 

Zombies on Broadway(1945) Bela has a lot to do in this movie.  He has a funny scene with a monkey.

Genius at Work(1946) It is rare to hear Bela say, "yes sir," to someone else. 

Scared to Death(1947)  You should be scared to death to watch this film.  But, Bela is in color.  That is a nice treat!

Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein(1948) This is a wonderful film that combines horror with comedy.  Great all-star cast!  See this movie a lot!  Bela as Dracula again!

Old Mother Riley Meets the Vampire or My Son the Vampire(1952)  If you understand the British humor at the time, you may enjoy this.  It is funny to see Bela flirt with Mother Riley so he can make her ripe for the kill.

Bela Lugosi Meets a Brooklyn Gorilla(1952) This movie is more silly than funny.  However, it can be funny at times to see the comedians act with Bela.

Glen or Glenda(1953) Buy this to only see Bela.  That is, if you only want to see him sitting down and saying lines that don't make sense. 

Bride of the Monster(1955) Not bad for an Ed Wood film.  You can tell Bela's health is declining, but you have to look carefully, because he always acted his finest.

Plan 9 From Outer Space(1956)  Released in 1959.  Bad movie.  You can see Bela in is Dracula cape for the last time in a movie.