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Helen Chandler (February 1, 1906 - April 30, 1965) 52 years after her early death at fifty-nine, ardent horror fans remember Helen Chandler as the fragile beauty Mina Howard in the Universal horror film "Dracula" (1931) who is seduced by the famous vampire himself. Although Helen was not impressed by the role she is most famous for, it continues to be a reminder of the talented young woman she was during her short time on this earth. Originally born in Charleston, South Carolina, Helen Chandler rose up to become one of the most popular actresses in the Big Apple, and starred in numerous Broadway productions with big names like John Barrymore and Basil Sydney. Like many actresses during the 1920s, Helen decided to make the transition to the growing art form of film. Her first movie role was in the silent film The Music Master in 1927 and then later the film version of Outward Bound starring Leslie Howard and Douglas Fairbanks Jr. in 1931. That same year in 1931, Helen Chandler starred in the Universal production of "Dracula", the role she detested in favor of Alice in "Alice in Wonderland". The film became one of the most successful motion pictures at that time, however, her performance failed to grab audiences' attention. She continued to act in stage, film, and radio productions but by the late 1930s her alcoholism was rampant and as a result her acting career declined. In 1950, Helen suffered severe injuries in an apartment fire resulting in body disfigurement but miraculously, she survived. Her alcoholism continued after the accident. The stage starlet's life ended sadly on April 30, 1965 after going into cardiac arrest during stomach surgery in Hollywood, California. No one came to claim her remains. Helen Chandler was cremated in accordance with her wishes, and is interred at Chapel of the Pines Crematory in a section not open to vistors. She may be gone, but her haunting performance in Dracula will continue to charm horror movie fans around the world.

A poem I shared in the Universal Horror group on Facebook, thought I'd post it here too. Let me know your favorites among these.... Fans of Universal horror films know an awful lot, And know many things that others just do not. They know that Victor Frankenstein actually went by Henry, And that his monster was played by not one actor, but many. Karloff came first and was thought by many the best, Chaney, Lugosi, and Strange brought to life the rest. But before Frankenstein, Dracula came first, Lugosi played the vampire with the unhealthy thirst. But there were more monsters like the ancient Mummy, With bandages wrapped over his chest and his tummy, Karloff played him first, and Chaney played him too, But Tom Tyler played him in between the other two. And Claude Rains as the Invisible Man caused quite a bother, Several years before he played The Wolf Man's father. Vincent Price was invisible too in a special effects gem, And Jon Hall followed in not one, but two of them. But back to the Frankenstein monster and his clan, Which included a bride, two sons, and a hunchbacked man, The villainous Ygor who survived the noose and a shooting, He looked very evil when giving his flute a tooting. A great role for Lugosi, and next he played the monster, what's more, Although all his dialogue ended up on the cutting room floor. Dracula had a family too, a daughter and son shared his curse, The boy tried to pass himself off as Dracula spelled in reverse. Chaney played him, and all the other monsters at one time, But Larry Talbot was the role that made his fame climb. There were other great actors like John Carradine, Who played Dracula and a high priest and a scientist mean, Who combined an ape with human hormones, so he could say, That he was the one who created Paula Dupree. Don't forget George Zucco, a high priest who warned fools, And also was a professor that turned men into ghouls. There was Rondo Hatton, the villainous Creeper, Who introduced many victims to the Grim Reaper. And there's even more that Universal fans know, But let me just say it gives me a glow, It warms my heart and fills me with glee, To know that I'm part of this wonderful community.

If you haven't gotten a chance, pick up this fascinating read. It dispells a lot of myths and controversies surrounding the film. As many have said before, Gary D. Rhodes takes a scholar's pen to researching and unearthing long forgotten information; shedding new light on Tod Browning and the making of DRACULA. Worth every penny and was released 84 years ago this very weekend. http://www.amazon.com/Tod-Brownings-Dracula-Gary-Rhodes/dp/0956683452/ or http://www.amazon.co.uk/Tod-Brownings-Dracula-Gary-Rhodes/dp/0956683452

Hi Everyone, I haven't posted here in a while but thought you might be interested to know that I have completed a lengthy book about F. W. Murnau's silent masterpiece, NOSFERATU: A SYMPHONY OF HORROR. It is now available through Amazon and other booksellers. NOSFERATU was the second silent film I ever saw as a child (in a 30 minute condensation called THE TERROR OF DRACULA). It was also the first 8mm silent film I ever purchased. I have loved the film literally my entire life, have viewed it countless times, and I finally decided to write a book about it. It is heavily illustrated and a little over 300 pages long. It is a nice large size as well and contains many pieces about several aspects of the film. Sincerely, Roy A. Sites, M.L.A. Here's peek at the cover:

The Attaboy Clarence Podcast is proud to present 'A Universe Of Horrors', the latest special episode; a seven hour documentary detailing the rise of Universal Studios, of the horror genre, the movies, the stars and the personalities behind Hollywood's classic cycle of horror flicks. To get the show, visit the site at attaboyclarence.com or get it from iTunes at https://itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/attaboy-clarence-podcast-classic/id804001187?mt=2