Cryptology # 7 Febr-scary 2026 (magazine review)
Considering the clocks are moving forward this coming weekend, it seemed prudent to get a move on with this vampire special of ‘Cryptology’.
Where better to start is with Bella Lugosi (1882-1956), the first Dracula on screen. Writer Mark Voger goes over his history and how he first learnt English for his films in the USA phonetically as he learnt the language. Back in the day, actors were easily stereotyped and there were a small number at the top in horror films. In many respects, Lugosi did that with the Count or else why was he effectively named in two film titles.
Writer Roberto Barreiro looks at the 1936 film ‘Dracula’ Daughter’ which, oddly, didn’t have Lugosi although he was in the original line-up. Although not as successful, I think it was a reminder that there were other vampires out there.
Of course, the next star mostly associated with Dracula is Christopher Lee, writer Barry Forshaw looks over Hammer’s early vampire output. He doesn’t spot the coincidence that the second film, ‘Brides Of Dracula’ (1960), doesn’t have Lee in it.
There’s also an interview by Lynn Parks with Kate Beckinsale about her ‘Underworld’ films. As the fourth film was out in 2016, you have to consider this an old interview but at least it gets some coverage here.
Writer Michael Bonesteel has a look at the pulps and the comicbook vampires. There is an interesting observation that Dracula’s early appearance was based on Byron Shelley’s look. I might contest that because those kinds of clothes were pretty prevalent at the time in the London night life. I suspect any vampire would be out of place if it wore a morning suit or a summer dress. Once a look is established, it tends to pass from generation to generation as a standardised dress.
Writer Steve Kronenberg looks at a selection of vampire ‘B’-movies and how variations across the theme developed. Logistically, the main reason they found a home there is because, as monsters, vampires can be quickly made. A pair of fangs and slicked back hair and you have one. Even transformations could be done with a rubber bat.
Editor/writer Peter Normanton looks at the 1980s vampire films and there’s quite a lot of them wanting a bite.
Writer Will Murray has a look at Aurora’s monster model kits with box covers and actually made kits. Like a lot of people, I thought the covers better the kits. Distribution was scant in the UK but I did build the luminous headed Dracula, which oddly isn’t mentioned, and ‘The Forgotten Prisoner Of Castle-Mare’.
Writer Daniel Dickholtz looks at Marvel’s ‘Tomb Of Dracula’ with points raised by Marv Wolfman who never saw any of the films and just relied on Stoker’s novel for anything needed.
If there is an absence here, it’s the lack of TV vampires but I have a feeling that’ll be covered in ‘Retro-Fan’.
GF Willmetts
March 2026
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