Dracula Prefers Blondes: Vampires and Their Fair-Haired Victims Throughout the History of Cinema
Everyone knows, or at least the popular saying goes, that gentlemen prefer blondes. I think we can all agree that even many not-so-gentlemanly types also have a passion for golden-haired girls. But what about your friendly (or even not-so-friendly) neighborhood vampire? Specifically, what about the coolest of all vampires, Count Dracula? Is he just a bloodsucker for a pretty face, or does batty ol' Drac have a thing for blondes?
Maybe it's the flavor of a virgin's lifeblood that turns the old guy on, but if we hot-blooded, non-vampiric males find the fairest-haired of the fairer sex completely irresistible, why would a feisty fangface feel differently? Throughout the years, Dracula has appeared in many films and seduced and/or drained hundreds of women. Many of those women have been lovely brunettes and probably even an occasional redhead, but the most beautiful of all have been the many blondes.
Let's take a look at some of the blond beauties who have found themselves embraced in Dracula's cinematic spell over the years and see if maybe we see some sort of pattern...
From Helen Chandler's portrayal of Mina opposite Bela Lugosi's Dracula in the 1931 film Dracula to Sophia Myles' performance as Lucy in Masterpiece Theatre's 2006 rendition of Dracula, there has never been a shortage of deliciously delectable blondes in Dracula films. There is just something freakishly erotic about blond hair falling gently across a pulsing jugular that Dracula seems unable to turn away from. Okay, okay... maybe it is just the pulsing jugular he cannot resist, but still, blondes are just naturally hot and therefore, it follows, naturally hot-blooded. And surely that is what your average all-American blood fiend hungers for.
The list of blondes who have found themselves necking with ol' Drac includes Veronica Carlson who portrayed Maria, the niece of Monsignor Ernst Muller who accidentally aids in Dracula's return from an icy death in the 1968 film Dracula Has Risen from the Grave. Also in 1968, the United Kingdom production of Dracula saw Susan George starring as Lucy, a character very familiar to those who are fans of the world's most popular vampire.
Jenny Hanley plays Sarah in 1970's Scars Of Dracula, escaping the Count's icy clutches thanks to an assist from Mother Nature.
In 1974, Blood For Dracula was released in Italy. The film was produced by Andy Warhol among others and was re-titled Andy Warhol's Dracula when released in the United States the following year. Silvia Dionisio plays a 14-year-old (though she was actually 23) who is one of four potential victims of Dracula. Fortunately, the estate handyman saves her from the fiend, though his method of doing so would likely send him to prison in this day and age.
As this collection of blondes clearly shows, whether Dracula has a penchant for the fairer-haired or simply enjoys a tasty treat regardless of the packaging, he has nevertheless placed many a lovely blonde under his seductive spell. Time and time again, a flaxen-haired damsel has found herself in distress at the hands, or perhaps more specifically the fangs, of the dastardly Dracula.
With vampires more popular than ever, it is a safe bet that the Count who started it all will return again and again to the big screen. Without a doubt, he will certainly bring with him another batch of beautiful blondes to feed his (and our) ravenous hunger.