Description
Book SynopsisThis book is the first study of the vampires in silent cinema, presenting a detailed academic yet accessible discussion of the films themselves and their sources. For the very first time, The Fire Elemental from the Wharton brothers’
The Mysteries of Myra (1916) is identified as cinema’s original vampire, his appearance initiating a rich and variegated period of film production that is currently missing from studies of horror cinema. Exciting and ground-breaking,
Vampires on the Silent Screen also discusses
Drakula Halála / Dracula’s death (1920), the first ever filmic female vampire in Erich Kober’s
Lilith and Ly (1919), and the Dracula lookalike, Count Merlin in Alexander Korda’s
Magic (1917) as well as many other productions. A socio-cultural framework with critical highlighting of eco-horror theory is used throughout to draw these unique discoveries together. This project is a must read for any horror enthusiasts out there.
Table of Contents1 From Time’s Beginnings.2 The Cinematic Vampire 1896–1922: Vampire Bats and Vamps and Thieves.3 The Vampire as Spirit of Fire: Leopold and Theodore Wharton’s
The Mysteries of Myra (1916).4 Count Merlin and the Alchemy of Blood Lust: Alexander Korda’s
Mágia/
Magic (1917).5 The Blood-Demon and the Scientist: Erich Kober’s
Lilith und Ly /
Lilith and Ly (1919).6 Dreaming in the Madhouse Károly Lajthay’s
Drakula halála /
Dracula’s Death (1921).7 Counterfeits and
Genuine.8 F. W. Murnau’s
Nosferatu.
