IMDb RATING
6.2/10
2.8K
YOUR RATING
When an errant bomb unearths the coffin of a vampire during the London Blitz, a gravedigger unknowingly reanimates the monster by removing the stake from his heartWhen an errant bomb unearths the coffin of a vampire during the London Blitz, a gravedigger unknowingly reanimates the monster by removing the stake from his heartWhen an errant bomb unearths the coffin of a vampire during the London Blitz, a gravedigger unknowingly reanimates the monster by removing the stake from his heart
Jeanne Bates
- Miss Norcutt
- (uncredited)
Billy Bevan
- Horace - Civil Defense Worker
- (uncredited)
Sydney Chatton
- Peters - Desk Clerk
- (uncredited)
Sherlee Collier
- Nicki as a child
- (uncredited)
Frank Dawson
- Old Man
- (uncredited)
Harold De Becker
- Civil Defense Worker #2
- (uncredited)
Donald Dewar
- John as a Child
- (uncredited)
Jean Fenwick
- Girl on Street
- (uncredited)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaColumbia Pictures originally intended this film as a direct sequel to Dracula (1931), also starring Bela Lugosi, but when Universal threatened a plagiarism suit, Columbia went ahead and made the film anyway but changed the names of the characters to avoid any connection with "Dracula". It also held back its release for two months so as not to compete with Lon Chaney Jr.'s Son of Dracula (1943).
- GoofsThe story is inconsistent as to whether Nicki Saunders is Dr. Saunders' granddaughter or daughter.
- Quotes
Narrator: [Opening lines before main title] The imagination at times sees the fantastic and the grotesque. that the imagination of man can soar into the stratosphere of fantasy is attested by the...
[main title]
Narrator: The Return of the Vampire.
- Alternate versionsThere is an Italian edition of this film on DVD, distributed by DNA Srl: "I VAMPIRI DI PRAGA" (1935) (Mark of the Vampire (1935)) + "IL RITORNO DEL VAMPIRO" (1943) - (2 Films on a single DVD). Languages: English Subtitles: Italian (Forced) Aspect ratio: 1.33:1 (Adapted to 16/9 Pillarbox format) Extras: DNA Trailers The film has been re-edited with the contribution of film historian Riccardo Cusin. This version is also available for streaming on some platforms.
- ConnectionsFeatured in Hollywood and the Stars: Monsters We've Known and Loved (1964)
Featured review
Lew Landers directed a lot of crap during his long, prolific career, but when he was on his game, as in The Raven (1934), and this film, he could produce a horror movie as good as any. The Return of the Vampire may be nothing more than a little Columbia B picture, but it exhibits more craft, care, and professionalism than 90 percent of what comes out of Hollywood today. The foggy, expressionistic photography and sets are fantastic, with excellent use of shadow and camera movement, and the early scenes of Lugosi prowling through mist and darkness, shot mostly from behind, or in silhouette, are striking in their spectral intensity. Lugosi once again shows why he ranks among the immortals; he is more commanding and magnetic walking from point A to point B in his top hat and tails than most actors are emoting through pages of dialog. Screenwriter Griffin Jay and director Landers go out of their way to showcase Lugosi's unique talents; he is given a great part with many substantial scenes to play, and Landers shoots him to his fullest advantage. Frieda Inescort, as Lugosi's nemesis, is sublimely up to the challenge, and their scenes together, especially their climactic confrontation at the pipe organ, are the best in the film. Sure, Return of the Vampire has its weak elements, such as Matt Willis's unfortunate talking werewolf, but let them pass. There are few moments in cinema as inspiring as watching Lugosi at full throttle, and Return of the Vampire has that in spades.
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Language
- Also known as
- Vampires of London
- Filming locations
- Production company
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Gross US & Canada
- $1,090,000
- Runtime1 hour 9 minutes
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 1.37 : 1
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By what name was The Return of the Vampire (1943) officially released in India in English?
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