Classical Movie Vampire: Difference between revisions

{{trope}}

 

The stock portrayal of vampires for years, [[Newer Than They Think|but no older than movies]], made famous by [[Bela Lugosi]]'s portrayal of [[Dracula]] with [[Universal Horror|Universal Pictures]].

As a result, many aspects of his role have become iconic, to the point that almost every vampire for decades was like this. His slicked hairstyle (along with a [[Villainous Widow's Peak|widow's peak]]), his [[Wicked Cultured|sinister yet gentlemanly demeanor]], his outdated yet suave clothes consisting of an [[Ominous Opera Cape]] with a [[High Collar of Doom]], his occasional [[Large Ham|dramatic flourish]] contrasting with a demeanor that is calm but menacing, and his Eastern European accent.

 

 

Usually this is more a stock reference than an actual portrayal of vampires. If you have a [[Monster Mash]], then [[Dracula]] will be like this.

 

Compare [[Looks Like Orlok]].

{{examples}}

== Advertising ==

* [[General Mills|Count Chocula]]

 

* Dracula himself in ''[[The Tomb of Dracula]]''.

 

== Film ==

* Lothos from [[The Movie]] of ''[[Buffy the Vampire Slayer]]'' is this trope through and through. He's so "classical," in fact, that he [[Wicked Cultured|plays the violin]]! (All of his minions, however, have a much more "contemporary" look reminiscent of ''[[The Lost Boys]]''.)

* Dracula from ''[[Dracula: Dead and Loving It]]'' is a parody of this.

 

== Literature ==

** It's implied to be the result of their compulsive personalities and the [[Theory of Narrative Causality]] ganging up on them, which it takes an extreme effort of will to resist.

** Count von Magpyr, however, being [[Dangerously Genre Savvy]], still drinks blood and is specifically described as ''not'' looking like this:

Vimes stared at the man. But yes ... Little fussy Otto, in his red-lined black cloak with pockets for all his gear, his shiny black shoes, his carefully-cut [[Villainous Widow's Peak|widow's peak]], and, not least, his ridiculous accent that grew thicker or thinner depending on who he was talking to, did not look like a threat. He looked funny, a joke, a music-hall vampire. It had never previously occurred to Vimes that, just possibly, the joke was on other people. Make them laugh, and they're not afraid. }}

** Also from the Dresden Files, Black Court Vampires kind of count, given that they are literally vampires straight out of Dracula.

* [[Stephen King]] is notable for sometimes using this type of vampire in his stories and playing them perfectly straight (as in, that they are actually intended to be scary, and not humorous at all). The best example is in a short story where a man kidnaps a young child, and the child turns out to be a vampire. The child's grandfather shows up in the last few pages of the story and is specifically described as having a slicked hairstyle, pale skin, and wearing a large black cape.

* Arnold Dotson in [[The Tumbleweed Dossier]] is a classical movie vampire, although he is not evil.

 

* The Count in ''[[Sesame Street]]''.

* Russell Eddington, Vampire King of Missippi, from ''[[True Blood]]'', to a tee. He is, however, perhaps the only classical vampire in the series.

 

== Newspaper Comics ==

* A ''[[Spider-Man (comic strip)|Spider-Man]]'' arc in the newspaper strips had an heiress fear a vampire was after her, and he was like this. {{spoiler|It was a washed up actor trying to stage a stunt to revive his career.}}

 

== Tabletop Games ==

** On a less serious note, ''[[Vampire: The Masquerade]]'' had the "Stereotype" flaw. In short, any character with this flaw, upon realizing that they were a vampire, immediately decided that they needed to dress the part, usually involving a long black cape and going "[[Vampire Vords|Blah! I vant to sahk yoor blahd!]]" a whole lot.

** On a more serious note, Clan Tzimisce (generally believed to be Dracula's clan) is generally the more sophisticated variant of this. They live in old castles in the stormy mountains of Eastern Europe, show exceptional hospitality to travelers looking to stay the night, and generally call themselves Viscount or Baron or ''Voivode'' or what have you. They just also happen to be masters of [[Body Horror]], and may or may not turn you into a hideously deformed freak or a living piece of furniture if you offend their delicate, old-fashioned sensibilities.

 

== Video Games ==

* Valvatorez of ''[[Disgaea 4: A Promise Unforgotten]]'' had the classic vampire look during his days as Tyrant. He still maintains most of it, but with some more modern touches (the cravat was replaced by a [[Cleavage Window]], for example).

 

* ''[[The Adventures of Dr. McNinja]]'' plays with this. Dracula's appearance is pure Lugosi, but he lives in a fortress on the moon, staffed with Dracula-bots and various presumed-dead celebrities.

** And Hitler.

* ''[[Nosfera]]'s'' Bram is this; the title character, slightly less so, but still has some aspects of it.

 

== [[Web Original]] ==

 

{{reflist}}

[[Category:Vampire Tropes]]