Dracula: The Series (1991-1992)

[wdm0744]

Anybody but me remember this short-lived show from their childhood, about two kids and their uncle battling a modern day (and blond) Dracula?

Seems like it used to come on Fox at 8pm on Fridays, at least in my local venue. It only lasted for 21 episodes. I can just barely remember it, but I remember being crazy about it.

Anyway, Netflix is delivering the first disc to my home as we speak. I am excited and scared at the same time. I have that familiar fear that something beloved from my early years is going to suck beyond belief upon adult viewing.

Anybody else familiar with this series?

[wdm0744]

Ah, I feel that familiar sting of a childhood memory burning like a grotesque vampire in the sunlight of adult viewing.

As I feared, and appropriately enough for a show called "Dracula", this tv show is 30 different kinds of suck. I honestly have no idea how they actually got actors, writers, and directors to work on this show, let alone convince studios and tv stations to air it.

But, there is a silver lining. My wife and I popped the dvd in last night and laughed uncontrollably for hours. That is this shows saving grace - it truly is so bad that, in a way, it is a beautiful thing. As the saying goes, it's so bad, it's good.

If you love MST3K, I HIGHLY recommend it for viewing with a group of friends for a night of hilarious fun. Beer may help. It truly is the most ridiculous excuse for a television production I have ever witnessed.

The opening theme music will tip you off immediately to what's coming. On the backdrop of an imposing castle, the words "Dracula: The Series" fly onto the screen. The "D" and the "A" grow fangs and then a voice choir chants, "Drac, Drac, Drac, Drac.... DRAC - ULA!" Then you are bombarded by a nightmare assault of early '90s rap/jazz played on a garage-quality synthesizer.

It doesn't stop there. The dialogue is atrocious (and delivered worse), the video quality is substandard, the set design is sparse and completely unimaginative, the plot is a dedicated kind of stupid, and the list goes on and on.

The kid actors are the worst offenders, but Dracula himself is pretty bad too. Everybody present overacts like hamsters on crack. Judging by their exaggerated physical mannerisms, I'd say they all started with community theater. Just wait for the moment in the first episode when Drac, Drac, Drac, Drac, DRAC-ULA raises his arms and hisses at the children like some nightmare lab rat. I must have rewatched that part a dozen times.

Then there's the plot. I asked you, how much of a promising vampire hunter can the kids' uncle, Gustav Van Helsing, be if it took him years to deduce that the local billionaire, Alexander Lucard (A. Lucard) was actually Dracula?

They live in the same town (which, incidentally seems to be somewhere in Switzerland, Germany, Austria, or Belgium, I guess, but no one speaks anything other than perfect English), but once they have discovered his true identity, our heroes don't make any great effort to kill Dracula. No, there content to just make a hobby out of half-heartedly attacking the Prince of Darkness' castle on the weekends while he daily (he can walk about during the day, but doesn't have any power) uses his company to gain world domination, and nightly picks off innocent female police officers.

Ah, yes, this truly is an epic struggle.

Like I said, this is an excellent choice for a MST3K party. It's a two disc set with 21 half-hour episodes. You can buy it for $10, but I can't kind conscience or sound mind recommend a purchase.

In closing, let me just say; Drac, Drac, Drac, Drac DRAC-ULA!

[wdm0744]

I meant to say "in good conscience or sound mind"

[Al]

I have never heard of this...

...and yet find myself strangely attracted to it.

[orangejesus]

I haven't laughed so hard in a long time as I did when I read that hamsters on crack line. I don't know what it meant. I don't know why it was written. But damned if it isn't funny.

Kudos.

[wdm0744]

Hey, thanks, OJ.

Actually, after watching the first disc, I have to say that this show has somehow wormed its way into my heart. I actually miss it.

It's sick, I know. But it is so bad, it's kind of endearing. Maybe it's like I've got Stockholm syndrome...

After some begging, I finally convinced my wife to put the second disc back on the Netflix que. Just can't wait for more Drac, Drac, Drac, Dracula.

Oh, Al --

Totally check this show out. You know you want to. It is freaking hiralous. Keep a look out for Dracula's frequent pirouettes. Not very "Prince of Darkness" is it?

[wdm0744]

Apologies for dredging up an ancient thread, but - Al, I'm curious - did you ever check this show out?

Please tell me you did.

I've been wanting to rent it again lately.