Rating: - Lennie Meets the Count
When young Creighton Chaney was signed by Universal, he was expected to inherit his father's mantle as the all-purpose "Man of a Thousand Faces." However, Chaney Jr. consistently failed to live up to expectations, demonstrating that, unlike his legendary father, he suffered from a severely limited range, as well as a deficiency of talent. This becomes painfully evident in this sequel to the landmark 1931 film which starred Bela Lugosi. The idea of a sequel made sense, considering the success enjoyed by the original, although why Universal waited 12 years is a mystery. The casting of Chaney in the role of Dracula is an even greater mystery. Much of the success of the original can be attributed to Lugosi's skillful portrayal of the Count, as well as his appearance; he simply looked the part. Chaney, on the other hand, resembles a beer-bloated wrestler who has somehow managed to stumble onto the wrong movie set. Unfortunately, his acting is as bovine as his appearance. He plods his way through the film, delivering his lines in his characteristic near-monotone, sorely testing the endurance of the viewer. A good premise and a promising script are utterly wasted on the dull, unconvincing Chaney, whose portrayal of the childlike Lennie in "Of Mice and Men" apparently marked the end of his development as an actor. In essence, Chaney's Dracula is Lennie with a new suit, a mustache, and little else. This "Dracula" should have been put back in his box, and dumped into the swamp from whence he came. Good concept, bad execution - not recommended.

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Rating: - Lon CHaney was terrific!
I just bought this film yesterday, and I loved it. Many think Lon Chaney, Jr. was not very good at Dracula. He is no Bela Lugosi, but excellent. Anyway, I guess the "Dracula" in this film can be called the Son of Dracula, since he is not the original Count Dracula. Disquised as Count Alucard, Dracula's son (Lon Chaney, Jr.) goes to Louisiana. Katherine Caldwell (Louise Allbritton) a woman obsessed with immortality, is engaged to Frank Stanely (Robert Paige). She instead marries Alucard. Frank tries to stop Dracula, but accidently kills Kay. A doctor and a professor are eager to stop Alucard. The resto f the film I leave you to learn. Alucard. That was clever, spelling Dracula backwards.
Alucard
Dracula

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Rating: - Son of Dracula one of Chaney's best
Most people think that Lon Chaney, Jr's presese hurt this film and "The Ghost of Frankenstein" and that he should've just been Larry Talbot. Personaly, the only Dracula better than Chaney was Bela Lugosi in my opinion. Dracula (calling himself Alucard)goes to America. I have seen the ending, and it was OK. The film's problem is that the title does not describe the film. (spoiler)

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Rating: - Count Alucard, I presume?
This second string Universal horror flick is better than one might expect. The director mines the budget dollar for all it's worth and strikes, if not gold, at least silver. Posing as Count Alucard, a descendant of the original Dracula travels to America. Europe isn't satisfying his thirst, and he seeks victims among a younger, more vital race. His American slave is Kay Caldwell (Louise Albritton), a strange young woman obsessed with the occult and eternal existence. Dracula (Lon Chaney, Jr.) rises in an eerie mist from his coffin hidden beneath the water of the swampy slough, takes human form, and glides toward a transfixed Kay. This scene has a dreamlike quality that adds to its effectiveness. One wonders about the blood tests when Kay and Dracula ask the justice of the peace to marry them. Kay's jilted human suitor, Frank, encounters Dracula in the graveyard. The full moon shines from behind a passing cloud and illumines a cross-shaped headstone, temporarily casting Dracula into outer darkness. Keep your classic horror flicks straight. This time the full moon doesn't provoke the typical wolfish reaction in Lon. Chaney is too beefy to be convincing as a vampire, but he gives it his best shot. Lon played the other classic Universal monsters and the studio wasn't about to omit Dracula. The gloom of the crumbling plantation, the trees hung with Spanish moss, and the misty night adds to the atmosphere of the film. Dracula appears from a supernatural mist that transports him through walls and doors. This is a new twist to an old tale. Classic horror fans will enjoy this addition to their collection. The blood is the life! ;-)

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Rating: - Deep South setting very spooky
Son of Dracula is a very spooky movie with its setting in the Deep South amidst the swamps, cypress trees and moss.

The lighting was well done to give the movie that eerie feeling all the way through. It was truly breath taking to see the coffin rise from the swamp as the mist comes from it and transforms into Count Alucard as he stands atop it while it goes toward the bank.

Lon Chaney Jr. did a good job portraying the Count. People who say he didn't make a good Dracula should realize that he didn't get enough meaty lines in the story. He doesn't make an appearance until well into the movie, and it is even longer before he gets any substantial dialogue. Therefore, blame the script writers for not giving him enough good material to establish himself solidly at the start of the movie.

The only other complaint I have is the "Son" in the title. No reference is made to this, so it is misleading. The closest they come to this is saying that he is a descendant of the Dracula bloodline.

Overall, a well done movie with suspense, good supporting actors and a great ending when we see Alucard's coffin burning and the sun rising.