Original Studio Copy Script of Dracula for Tod Browning (Universal, 1931). ...

Description

Original Studio Copy Script of Dracula for Tod Browning (Universal, 1931). Vintage original approx. 171-unnumbered loose page Studio Shooting Script for the Tod Browning-directed, Karl Freund photographed Vampire classic. The oversized 13.5" x 9" script lacks a title page but remains filled with the collaborative result of Bram Stoker (novelist), Hamilton Deane and John L. Balderston (adapters of the play), Garrett Fort (Playwright) and contributing writers Louis Bromfield, Tod Browning, Dudley Murphy, Frederick Stephani, Louis Stevens, Max Cohen (uncredited) and others. From the sumptuous opening,

"Sequence A":
FADE IN TO:
EXT. Long Shot Mountain Pass
Late Afternoon
Process shot of narrow mountain pass in the wilds of the Carpathians - sheer fliffs (sic) rise to jagged summits above the barely passable roads. The character of the surrounding scenery is fantastic, eerie. In b.g., the sun is just setting. Through pass and approaching camera dashes a stage-coach of fifty-years ago, ram-shackle weather-beaten affair that looks as if it would hardly hold together - four horses draw it at top speed as the driver leans forward, gripping the reigns and urging them to greater speed.

To the last words in the epilogue spoken by "Van Helsing" (Edward Van Sloan):

"VAN HELSING
Please! One Moment!
(looks out into audience and says with a smile)
Just a word before you go. We hope the memories of Dracula won't give you bad dreams - so just a word of reassurance! When you get home tonight and lights have been turned out and you're afraid to look behind the curtains - and you dread to see a face appear at the window - why, just pull yourselves together and remember -
(Pause)
-that, after all, there are such things!
QUICK FADE
THE END"

Retains the vintage original brown paper envelope handwritten in ink "Mr. Tod Browning 31 Malibu Beach." Envelope is tattered but intact and handwriting is unaffected. Pages exhibit age, light toning, minor tears and corner bends. In vintage Very Good condition. Comes with a COA from Heritage Auctions.

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