Son of Dracula (1943)

The American horror film, Son of Dracula (1943), was directed by Robert Siodmak and written by his brother Curt Siodmak. Katherine Caldwell invites Count Alucard to come to the United States. She is one of Colonel Caldwell’s daughters, who owns a plantation in New Orleans. Shortly after arriving, the Colonel dies of a supposed heart attack and leaves his fortune to his two daughters. Claire inherits all his money while Katherine receives his estate, known as ‘Dark Oaks’. Unbeknownst to anyone else, Katherine has been secretly dating Alucard and the two quickly marry. During their marriage, her former long-term boyfriend Frank Stanley confronts them and attempts to shoot Alucard. Surprisingly, the bullets pass through the Count’s body and hit Katherine instead. Believing she is dead, a distressed Frank runs for help from Dr. Brewster.

Upon the doctor’s arrival, Alucard and a living Katherine greet him. They inform him that they will be focusing on scientific research during the day and only allowing visitors at night. Frank goes to the police station where he confesses to Katherine’s murder. Despite Brewster’s attempt to convince him otherwise, the Sheriff insists on searching Dark Oaks. Ultimately, he discovers Katherine’s lifeless body and has it transferred to the morgue. As Dr. Brewster reads Dracula, Hungarian Professor Lazlo arrives at his house. Lazlo reveals that Alucard is simply Dracula spelled backwards and suspects vampirism in their midst. This suspicion is confirmed by a local boy brought to Brewster’s home with bite marks on his neck. Later on, the Count makes an appearance but is quickly repelled by a cross in Lazlo and Brewster’s presence.