There has always been something that bothers me whenever I watch this movie. Dracula's daughter has this loyal and very creepy assistance with a bizarre makeup job that makes him look exactly like Paul Muni, the amazing actor from Scarface (the original, good, version) and I Am a Fugitive from a Chain Gang. Always wondered if this resemblance was done on purpose by somebody (the director) who may have had a beef with Muni.
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LOL. I thought exactly the same when I first saw him. Hadn't been released three years later, I'd say that the director strongly inspired in the looks of Muni to "Juarez" (1939).
Animal crackers in my soup
Monkeys and rabbits loop the loop
Interesting, as I always noticed the resemblance, but doubtful.
A couple of things....Muni was a huge star over at Warners, and his 'type' was 'he didn't have a type'. Muni was their prestige "I can play anything" actor, complete with heavy make-up. Early in his career, if there was a model for Paul Muni, the closest one would be Chaney Sr, without the emphasis on horror. Quite frankly, Chaney was considered a brilliant character actor as well, although his legacy emphasizes his horror roles.
Anyways, I doubt they were asking for Muni or a "Muni Type" for "Dracula's Daughter". I doubt it was ever mentioned or considered.
BTW, Irving Pichel is little known today, but he was in fact, very busy in the early days of film. He usually played 'ethnic heavies', even co starred with Tallulah Bankhead in one film. He was apparently quite an artistic talent: went to Harvard, was good friends with George s Kaufman, and spent the bulk of his post acting career directing, with a fair level of success.
Long story short? Pichel wasn't considered 'second tier' in his day, and they knew what they were getting with him.
It's amazing some folks carved out solid careers, but never had the big hit putting them in the permanent fame category.
Pichel is certainly one of them.
He reminds me of Cesare from The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari. In fact, after I watched the film I checked to see if the same actor played them both but he didn't.
shareAt first, I thought he was the actor who played the Head Winkie (the guards who patrol the Wicked Witch's castle) in "The Wizard of Oz".
Annoying the world since 1960!