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3 Facts You Didn’t Know About Bela Lugosi

By October 10, 2016November 7th, 2016Nostalgia

bela

We all know him as the universal Dracula, but Bela Lugosi wasn’t just a star in film. Here are a few facts that you probably didn’t know about our most beloved Count!

FACT #1

Bela Lugosi performed the role of Count Dracula on radio.

 

In the spring of 1928, Bela Lugosi appeared on NBC radio to act out the role of Dracula, the title character of a stage play adapted from the Bram Stoker novel of the same name.  No recording is known to exist.  BUT, you can hear Bela Lugosi starring in “The Doctor Prescribed Death”, a 30-minute episode of the classic radio series “Suspense” on a 6-hour, 12-episode collection of “Suspense vol. 1” available to digitally download the month of October for $9.99 which is 50% off the regular $19.99 price.

FACT #2

Even though he did a number of radio programs, he never had his own regular radio show.

ape-man

However, there was a radio series in the works called “Mystery House” which planned to feature Lugosi in the leading role of various ‘Grand Guignol’ tales.  In 1944, a pilot episode was recorded called “The Thirsty Death” co-starring John Carradine.  The two actors would star in the 1944 low budget horror film “Return of the Ape Man”.

FACT #3

Bela Lugosi was a frequent guest star in radio.

bela-reading

Lugosi guest starred on “The Fred Allen Show” 4/25/43, on “The Rudy Vallee Show” 10/22/46 and on “The Abbott & Costello Show” 5/8/48.

Make sure you hear Bela Lugosi in “The Doctor Prescribed Death”, a 30-minute episode of the classic radio series “Suspense” on a 6-hour, 12-episode collection of “Suspense vol. 1” available to digitally download the month of October for $9.99 which is 50% off the regular $19.99 price.