ON THE SET OF SON OF DRACULA

Horror films were on a tight budget in the 1940s, but not so tight to have the leading actor pitch in as an assistant set decorator as this photograph suggests! Actually, Lon Chaney as Count Alucard is having fun playing with a prop web spinner. Jack is in the background touching up Louise Albritton in between shots. The other woman in the picture is unidentified.

Son of Dracula was released in 1944. It was directed by Robert Siodmak, who went on to helm several stylish film noir thrillers such as Criss Cross. Robert's brother, Curt (noted for writing the screenplay for The Wolf Man), authored the story on which the film was based. Universal's #1 Scream Queen Evelyn Ankers also co-starred.

PIERCE'S "MAD" MAKEUP

An ancient Mayan "nerve gas" is used on a modern subject as an experiment for George Zucco's Dr. Alfred Morris in Universal's THE MAD GHOUL (Working title: THE MYSTERY OF THE MAD GHOUL). Released on November 12, 1943, it is one of the "forgotten" film of the 40s, and despite a few atmospheric scenes, not one of Universal's best.

The B-star cast of Zucco, Turhan Bey, Evelyn Ankers, David Bruce, Robert Armstrong and Milburn Stone, and a recycled if not rousing music score by Hans J. Salter does little to raise the fare to tepid. David Bruce plays Ted Allison and is the subject of Dr. Morris' mad plan.

Jack Pierce was on hand for the makeup chores, but this is one of the numerous films that he goes uncredited. Pierce did a little recycling himself, as he reworked his ancient, wrinkled skin technique used over a dozen years previous in THE MUMMY for Bruce's "ghoul" makeup. The combination of cotton, collodion and (probably) green greasepaint was effective enough to make the character creepy enough to scare wartime theater-goers.