Synopsis:

I've made extensive edits in order to tighten things up & give the film more even tone. I've removed much of the film's schmaltzy soap-opera score. Bits of this score really shine, but much of it is overly romantic or cartoonish & it really kills the mood. I've used ambiance & other music cues to take it's place. I've also employed a collection of new sound effects which bring things to life more than ever before. All of this creates a version of the film that feels very different than the original. New opening text includes a quote from Bram Stoker's novel Dracula & a new title card along with a new version of the Main Theme made for this edit. New end credits acknowledge a few overlooked contributors & a new post-credits shot wraps things up with some suitably spooky atmosphere.

Intentions:

This is part of a project that aims to bring stronger continuity, tighter editing & improved pacing to select titles from Universal's Dracula library.

Change List:

-added a bed of noise from DRACULA to coalesce the varying audio. --cut the DRACULA noise volume by 1/4. PRODUCTION CREDITS- -added the fanedit.org logo. -added my fanedit production logo. -a new edit of the Main Theme begins over the Universal logo. -removed the original opening titles & credits. -added a quote from the novel Dracula by Bram Stoker. -added a "A Lambert Hillyer Film" credit. TITLE CARD- -new title card. INSPECTING THE ABBEY- -removed the music. -new edit of the Main Theme fades-out. -added ambiance. (Catacombs by Sword Coast Soundscapes) -added footstep sounds for the cops coming down the stairs. -cut the Chief's "His neck is broken" & the deputy's goofy "OoOohh..." -added sounds as Van Helsing stands up. -added a sound when Van Helsing drops the wooden stake. -added sounds for the door opening. -added footstep sounds as Van Helsing enters. -cut the deputy not wanting to be left alone with Van Helsing. -added footstep sounds as the sheriff goes to see about the other body. -added rumble as Dracula's corpse is revealed. -extended the shot of Dracula. -shortened a shot of the sheriff inspecting the body. -added footstep sounds as the sheriff goes back to question Van Helsing. -added rumble after Van Helsing says "Yes. I did it." -the sheriff's "Albert" is heard over a shot of Albert, the deputy. -the sheriff's "This is a case for Scotland Yard" begins on a shot of the deputy. -shortened a shot of the sheriff & Van Helsing. -added footstep sounds as the trio leave. -added a cue from Unfinished Symphony as the scene fades into the next. AT THE COMMISSIONER'S- -removed the music. -added office ambiance to the establishing shot of the door. -added fireplace sounds in the commissioner's office. -cue from Unfinished Symphony fades-out as Van Helsing begins speaking. -shorter beat between "It's true." / "It's utterly mad." -the commissioner's "It's utterly mad" begins on a shot of Van Helsing. -shortened the shot of the commissioner before he pounds his fist on his desk. -cut the 1st "those" from the commissioner's "one of those those fabulous creatures." -quicker cadence on the commissioner's "In a horrible manner." -added a cross-fade from the commissioner to the coffins. AT THE POLICE STATION- -removed the music. -added ambiance as the deputy looks at the coffins. (Death House by Sword Coast Soundscapes) -added footstep sounds as the deputy walks across the room. -added sounds for the chair as the sheriff stands up. -added sounds as the sheriff puts his coat on. -cut all the goofy business with the rat. -cut the sheriff saying "I'd better be headed to the station." -added footsteps sounds as the sheriff goes to his desk. -added sounds for the sheriff's desk drawer opening. -added footsteps for the sheriff & deputy as they go to the door. -added sounds for the door opening & closing when the sheriff leaves. -added outside ambience while the door is open. -smoothed an odd edit as the deputy walks across the room. -added footstep sounds as the deputy walks across the room. -added a sound when the deputy sets the gun down on the table. A STRANGER COMES CALLING- -added sounds for the door opening & closing when Zaleska arrives. -added outside ambience while the door is open. -added footstep sounds as the deputy goes to greet Zaleska. -added sounds for the desk & chair as the deputy sits down. -added a sound for the chair when the deputy stands up. -instead of using her ring to hypnotize, Zaleska uses her eyes, like her Dad did. -cut a shot of Zaleska. -cut a shot of Zaleska's ring. -cut a shot of the deputy staring at the ring. -extended a shot of Zaleska's eyes. -cut another shot of the ring. -the score fades-in as Zaleska hypnotizes the deputy. -added a tone as Zaleska hypnotizes the Deputy. -score fades-out during the clock cross-fade. RETURN FROM SCOTLAND YARD- -removed the music. -added sounds for the door closing. -added footstep sounds as the sheriff goes to get the liquor bottle. -added footstep sounds as the sergeant walks past frame. -added sounds as the deputy's body hits the floor. -score resumes as the deputy's body hits the floor. -added footstep sounds as the sheriff checks on the deputy. -added footstep sounds as the sheriff goes to see about the bodies. DRACULA'S FUNERAL- -added outside ambience. -added fire sounds & ambiance. (Xonthal's Tower by Sword Coast Soundscapes) -added flare-up sounds as Zaleska sprinkles salt on the fire. -added rumble as Zaleska picks up the crucifix. -added flare-up & heavier burning sounds as the remaining salt is thrown on the fire. -music fades-out as Zaleska & Sandor speak with each other. -added spooky ambiance as Sandor doubts Zaleska. (Quiet Graveyard by Sword Coast Soundscapes) ZALESKA STEPS OUT- -added outside ambience. -added a tone as Zaleska hypnotizes the man. ZALESKA RETURNS HOME- -added sounds for the coffin opening & closing. AUTOPSY- -removed the music. -added hospital ambiance. CALLING DR. GARTH- -removed the music. -added outside ambiance. (Peaceful Hamlet by Sword Coast Soundscapes) -added footstep sounds for the hunters & dogs. -added dog barking sounds. -added sounds for the secretary's car arriving. -added more dog barking sounds. -added sounds for the car's breaks/suspension as it comes to a stop. -added sounds for the car idling. -added car door sounds. -cut Dr. Garth saying "Well, you're driving. Go ahead." -added sounds for the car driving away. DR. GARTH & PROF. VAN HELSING- -cut the 2nd "I know" from Garth's "I know. I know." -Van Helsing's "Do you as an intelligent scientist" begins over a shot of Garth. -Dr. Garth's "I know" & Van Helsing's "Do you, as an intelligent scientist" overlap. AT THE PARTY- -added fireplace sounds. -added rumble after Dr. Garth explains to Zaleska that therapy can release obsession. TIE TROUBLE- -removed the music. -added sounds for the curtains closing. -added a sound as Janet leans against the door. -added sounds as Dr. Garth messes with his tie. -added footstep sounds as Janet walks into the room. -added sounds as Dr. Garth struggles with his tie. -added sounds as Janet fixes Dr. Garth's tie. -added footstep sounds as Janet leaves. -added music as Janet leaves. -re-timed the music as the scene fades-out so the tune ends much sooner. DR. GARTH AT ZALESKA'S APARTMENT- -added fireplace sounds. -cut Zaleska recounting that Vampires can't be seen in mirrors. -cut Dr. Garth saying "Well, who is it" as he answers the phone. -quicker beat between "An elephant is seeing pink men." / "Alright, Janet." -shortened a shot of Dr. Garth on the phone. -cut Zaleska telling Dr. Garth that someone is calling to her from the grave. -edited Zaleska's comments about her affliction to be much more vague. -extended a shot of Dr. Garth listening. THE MODEL- -added outside ambience. -added the sound of the river. -removed the music once they arrive at Zaleska's apartment. -added fireplace sounds. -added a sound when the girl sits the glass down on the table. -added music as Zaleska suggests the girl stand by the fire & drink her wine. -instead of using her ring to hypnotize, Zaleska uses her eyes, like her Dad did. -added a tone as Zaleska stares into the girls eyes. -added rumble after the girl says she'd like to leave. -added music as Zaleska attacks. -the girl's scream fades into the sound of the arriving sirens. -cross-fade from the screaming girl to the ambulance. IN DR. GARTH'S OFFICE- -removed the music. -added sounds for the door opening. -added sounds as Dr. Garth enters the room. -added sounds as Janet begins to write her note. -added sounds as Dr. Garth walks to the desk. -cut "Prof. Van Helsing" after Dr. Garth's "The one man who may explain them..." -added fade-out to a shot of Garth. -quicker transition into the next scene. MEETING AT THE COMMISSIONER'S OFFICE- -added rumble as the scene fades-out. TIE TROUBLE AGAIN- -removed the music. -added sounds as Janet swings her purse around. -added sounds as Dr. Garth sets his case on the table. -added sounds as Janet's spins her purse. -added footstep sounds as Dr, Garth calls to Mrs. Peabody. -cut a shot of Janet approaching Dr. Garth & Mrs. Peabody. -cut some of the nurse struggling with the tie. -cut the shot of the nurse drying her forehead as Janet ties the tie. -cut the first "Janet" from Dr. Garth's "Janet? Janet??" ZALESKA AT DR. GARTH'S- -cut Janet lying to Zaleska about Dr. Garth's whereabouts. -shortened a shot of Zaleska standing up to speak with Dr. Garth. HYPNOTIZATION- -cut a shot of the girl as Dr. Garth uses the hypno-machine. -shortened shots so the girl falls under hypnotization quicker. -cut the girl mentioning Zaleska's ring, only her eyes. -cut Dr. Garth's "I think I know who's responsible" before he leaves. PHONING THE COMMISSIONER- -cut Dr. Garth dialing the Commissioner. -cut the Commissioner's butler bringing him the phone. -cut the Commissioner being so rude & dismissive. -cut the Commissioner's "Vampires, oh my..." before "Are you drunk?" -cut the Commissioner after "All right." -cut the goofy business with the Commissioner & the butler. -cross-fade from Dr. Garth to the bell ringing at Zaleska's apartment. INVESTIGATING ZALESKA'S APARTMENT- -changed Zaleska's "the curse of the Dracula's" to "the curse of Dracula." -changed Dr. Garth's "Dracula's?" into "Dracula?" -added rumble as Dr. Garth announces that Zaleska is "Dracula's daughter." -cut the Commissioner complaining about being summoned from bed for this. WAITING FOR NEWS- -cut the Commissioner saying he should have left his phone off the hook. TRANSYLVANIA- -cut the people at a wedding party. -cross-fade from the plane to Castle Dracula. -extended the shot of the castle. -remixed the music as we fade from the castle to the catacombs. -added ambiance to the catacombs. (Catacombs by Sword Coast Soundscapes) -added sounds as Zaleska's coffin opens. -added sounds as Zaleska pushes the coffin lid open. -shortened the shot before we pan back to see Zaleska. AT THE VILLAGE- -added additional wind sounds so the wind doesn't begin suddenly. -cut the driver explaining that Dracula takes walks with his daughter at night. CONFRONTING ZALESKA- -added ambiance inside Castle Dracula. (Death House by Sword Coast Soundscapes) -added outside ambience to all outside shots. -added a sound as the arrow hits Zaleska. -added a tone as Zaleska's spell over Janet is broken. END CREDITS- -the new edit of the Main Theme plays over the credits. -added the title card before the credits. -new end credits recognize some overlooked contributors. POST-CREDITS- -added a shot of the lights going out at Castle Dracula. -added the "It's a Universal Picture" logo. -added my production logo.

Additional Notes:

I wanted to give this film a quicker beat & more fitting soundscape. Much of the original score is removed & replaced with new ambience & music cues.

Other Sources:

-Dracula's Daughter (Universal bluray, 2017) Additional- -Dracula (Universal bluray, 2017) -Unfinished Symphony (composed by Franz Schubert) -35mm Course Film Grain (holygrain.com) -Ambient Soundscapes (Sword Coast Soundscapes) -Sound Effects (YouTube.com)

Special Thanks:

The Scribbling Man for preview feedback.