Immortal Count: The Life and Films of Bela Lugosi - Hardcover

Lennig, Arthur

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 081312302X ISBN 13: 9780813123028

Publisher: Univ Pr of Kentucky, 2003

Synopsis

" A special leatherbound, signed and numbered edition! Bela Lugosi won immediate fame for his portrayal of the immortal count in the 1931 film Dracula. After a decade of trying vainly to broaden his range and secure parts to challenge his acting abilities, Lugosi resigned himself to a career as the world's most recognizable vampire. His last years were spent as a forgotten and rather tragic figure. When he died in 1956, Lugosi could not have known that vindication of his talent would come -- his face would adorn theaters, his image would appear on greeting cards and postage stamps, his film memorabilia would sell for more than he earned in his entire career, and his Hungarian accent would be instantly recognized by millions of people. Martin Landau's Oscar-winning role as Lugosi in the 1994 film Ed Wood added an ironic twist to a career that had ended in oblivion. In 1974, devoted Lugosi fan Arthur Lennig published a highly regarded biography of the unsung actor. More than twice the length of the original and completely rewritten, The Immortal Count provides deeper insights into Lugosi's films and personality. Drawing upon personal interviews, studio memos, shooting scripts, research in Romania and Hungary, and his own recollections, Lennig has written the definitive account of Lugosi's tragic life.

About this title

About the Author:

Arthur Lennig, emeritus professor of cinema at the University of Albany, is the author of Stroheim and several other books on silent film.

Review:

""The definitive account of Lugosi's tragic life and times."--Turner Classic Movies" --

""A moving, lively, witty, sad book that revives once more the long dead Count Dracula."--Kirkus Reviews" --

""Will stand for a long time as the definitive book about the man who incarnated Dracula, to the great detriment of his career."--Lexington Herald-Leader" --

""In this intelligent biography, Lennig details the talented Hungarian-born actor's five marriages, drug addictions, feuds with Boris Karloff, and appearances in Ed Wood's humiliating movies, drawing on firsthand information, archives, interviews, and years of research."--Library Journal" --

""This book is long overdue and is highly recommended as biography, film history and pop culture. It is the last word on Lugosi."--National Board of Review" --

""Lennig's lifelong worship of his subject adds an intensely personal flavor to this biography of the complex horror king, which shines in its ability to respect Lugosi's talent, regardless of personality flaws."--Publisher's Weekly" --

""Remains passionately personal in its outlook, but thanks to new research and greater availability of films it also offers a more comprehensive and richly detailed study of Bela Lugosi's complex personality."--Paul M. Jensen" --

""One comes away from Lennig's book with a deep respect for both Lugosi and the author himself."--Scary Monsters Magazine" --

""A moving, lively, witty, sad book that revives once more the long dead Count Dracula."--Kirkus" -- Kirkus

""Will stand for a long time as the definitive book about the man who incarnated Dracula, to the great detriment of his career."--Lexington Herald-Leader" -- Lexington Herald-Leader

About this edition

• Publisher: Univ Pr of Kentucky
• Publication date: 2003
• ISBN 10: 081312302X
• ISBN 13: 9780813123028
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 576