Countess Dracula – review

Author: Carroll Borland

First Published: 1994

Contains spoilers

The Blurb: Carroll Borland is the legendary star of early cinema, who's portrayal of "Luna" opposite Bela Lugosi in the 1935 motion picture horror classic, "Mark of the Vampire," indelibly etched in the minds of moviegoers the "look, the style and the sexuality of female vampires for generations to come." How did Bela Lugosi inspire the writing of the legendary sequel to Bram Stoker's Dracula? What was the true story behind the infamous "incest scene" rumored to have been cut from "Mark of the Vampire", starring Carroll and Bela? Was Carroll Borland visited by the ghost of Bela Lugosi? What was the secret of their relationship? Learn the answers in Gregory Mank's compelling account of Carroll's life and film career.

The review: Though some may buy this coffee table sized volume for Carroll Borland’s biography, I was more interested in her short novel (actually a novella), a sequel to Stoker’s Dracula. Written when she was fifteen, having seen Lugosi in the stage production of Dracula, it would prove to be her introduction to the actor years before they played opposite each other in Mark of the Vampire.

To some degree it is fanfiction, but it is well written, if a tad sparse, and follows the Stoker story some 50-years on. In doing so it introduces a unique piece of lore that suggests a setback (perhaps the attack by Harker, as the Count turns to dust, or the interruption of an attack and the saving of the victim) can cause the vampire to have to sleep for 50 years (hence the jump forward in time). This also happens to the vampire’s maker – so if the bride must enter the 50-year hiatus, so must the Count. It also suggests Mina did not turn as she died whilst the Count was so indisposed and during the day (prior to the book’s opening, though Jonathan Harker and their son Quincey do make an appearance). The story hints at, though does not explicitly state, a reincarnated love (though this could be a retrospective interpretation).

As for the more biographical side Borland makes a categorical statement that the allegedly lost (to the cutting room floor) incest scenes between Mora and Luna (the vampires), from Mark of the Vampire, were never shot. This is likely the case but whether background story narrated by, say, Professor Zelin (Lionel Barrymore) included it and was cut might not be far-fetched.

For fans of the film, for fans of Borland herself and for those just interested in the rather fun musings of a fifteen-years old Lugosi fan and what it developed into, this is a wonderous curio. Thanks to Sarah, who got me this as a birthday present. 6 out of 10.

In Paperback @ Amazon US

In Paperback @ Amazon UK