A Vampiric Vixen is Fixin' to Try to Change Her Family Legacy- as "Dracula's Daughter"-Tonight!

Tonight on MeTV- we kick off two weeks’ worth of the exploits of offspring of filmdom’s greatest vampire- beginning with an early Universal horror classic- what is actually considered to be the first sequel to the original Bela Lugosi “Dracula” film. It features the female child of the infamous count, who takes after her father in ways she regrets- yet is unable to leave behind! She must deal with the irresistible thirst she has inherited simply by being- “Dracula’s Daughter”!

After the success of the wildly popular “Dracula”- this film picks up right where the original ended- in the dungeon of Carfax Abbey, with Van Helsing (named VON Helsing in this film) standing over the inert body of Count Dracula – which is sporting a wooden stake through its heart! The police burst in upon him, observe that he has a stake-driving weapon in hand, and take him into custody for murder. Dracula's body is locked up in the local police department-where a mysterious woman drops by, and, using a strange hypnotic power over the lone policeman on duty, makes off with the Count's body. She spirits it away, and then engulfs it in a funeral pyre that she hopes may free her of her family curse (Leaving us viewers to ponder, after this fiery final rest, how the Count managed to return in future films!) The burning question of whether the flames have brought her salvation is soon answered- as her odd "assistant" Sandor underlines that her behavior indicates that she has not lost her desire for human blood!

Meanwhile, the incarcerated Von/ Van Helsing contacts his brilliant, but somewhat skeptical former student, Jeffery Garth, asking him to help prove that he is sane- that his act of “murder” was actually a brave heroic act-and that vampires exist. While trying to decide how he can help, Garth attends a society party, and encounters a stranger who drops by -a visiting artist, Countess Marya Zaleska (in reality, the daughter of the Count that Von Helsing slew!) Jeffrey converses with other guests about his work in curing his patients' cravings, which the Countess overhears- and, thinking he might help her to defeat an unnamed craving, asks for his assistance. He agrees to help her, although he has no clue as to what her affliction might be!

Soon, however, a rash of attacks, with victims drained of blood, brings about suspicions. Jeffrey’s secretary (who hopes to be promoted to the title of his girlfriend as well) takes an instant dislike to the Countess- for good reason- as the story continues, striving to confirm suspicions that a vampire does exist-and that said menace will do anything to remove any threats to its existence- eventually taking us back to the Transylvania castle where the original vampire story began - and where lives may end!

This 1936 film was made 5 years after the original “Dracula”- and boasts an eerie atmosphere, in no small part due to Gloria Holden’s portrayal of the Countess. Edward Van Sloan makes his second appearance as Dracula’s nemesis, Von Helsing, and Otto Krueger is the psychologist hero Jeffrey. We’ll talk about the cast, and provide Sven shtick- including an often-requested interview with another Dracula “relative”- plus segments featuring vintage convention visits with the stars of the original “Candyman” film- the lovely Virginia Madsen and Tony Todd-plus another fun talk with one of our old friends- Tom Atkins of ‘Halloween 3”-not to mention our song about the movie!

Meet “Dracula’s Daughter” tonight on MeTV at 8 pm eastern/pacific, 7 central, or check your local listings (or www.metv.com) for time and channel where you can watch in your area. Feel free to join in on the live-Tweeting during the show tonight on Twitter- and be sure to use the hashtag #svengoolie ! In the Chicago area this morning, our viewers get an encore of “Devil Doll” at 11 am on CW26 !

Make sure you check out the special “Kiss Me I’m Goolish” wear in our store! It’s perfect for the scarin’ o’ the green! (Yeah, that’s stretching the attempted St. Paddy’s Day jokes…) Thanks again for the great response to this year’s #LoveSven promotion- just wait until to see what else is coming up this year!

Please join us tonight for daddy’s little ghoul- who insists she wants to change her ways…and yet…