Dracula/War of the Worlds CD - The Orson Welles Collection

[Harvey Chartrand]

Check out the Hi-Tek Hi-Fi column in June-July 2002 Filmfax for a good review of the new CD The Orson Welles Collection — Dracula/War of the Worlds, Complete Broadcasts, on the Nostalgia Arts label.
The reviewer says it's too bad Welles never directed a horror film, though his Macbeth is clearly influenced by James Whale's Frankenstein. The reviewer also notes that in the 1950s, Welles contemplated filming Dracula and Carmilla (eventually produced as The Vampire Lovers by Hammer in 1970). Welles' radio Dracula is highly regarded, despite the necessary compression of the storyline and elimination of the Renfield character (immortalized by Dwight Frye in Tod Browning's Dracula). The reviewer notes Welles' peculiar accent as the Count. Sad to think that Welles' plans were forever stillborn but his 'disciple' Jess Franco was able to direct his own version of 'Count Dracula' in 1970, with Christopher Lee and Herbert Lom. Imagine what Welles could have done with that kind of talent, even on a low budget.

[mteal]

Dracula and War of the Worlds are also part of a 6-CD set called The Best of Old-Time Radio, put out by Radio Spirits. Very good sound on all programs, which makes a big difference when it comes to old-time radio. The two-CD set that Harvey mentioned above has some nice packaging, though, and for only $10 might make a good gift. On Dracula, Welles' "peculiar accent" as the Count is one in a long list of eastern European accents that Welles loved using on radio, culminating in his role as Gregory Arkadin (a possible connection between Arkadin and Dracula?).

Welles' film of Macbeth seems definitely inspired by the classic horror films, like Frankenstein and King Kong. Othello, in it's original, non-restored form seems at times like a horror film too. Jonathon Rosenbaum compared it to Murnau's Nosfaratu.