Mel Brooks is at it again, this time spoofing Bram Stoker’s Dracula (1992). Leslie Niesen portrays the blood thirsty Dracula: a clear parody of Bela Lagosi’s portrayal (1931) of the count. By his side, Peter MacNicol does a great parody of Dwight Frye‘s Renfield (1931).
Filled with the typical Brooks humor and comedic tropes, there’s very little to not like about the film, as a whole. I would say that it’s a great time for 10+, as there is no swearing, nudity or sex.
A great deal of the supporting cast are familiar faces from other Mel Brooks comedies
- Amy Yasbeck is Mina, who played Maid Marian in Robin Hood: Men in Tights
- Harvey Corman is Dr Seward, who was Hedley Lamarr in Blazing Saddles
- Mark Blankfield is the olderly, Martain, who was Blinkin in Robin Hood: Men in Tights
- Megan Cavanagh is the servant Essie, who was Broomhilde in Robin Hood: Men in Tights (basically the same role)
And for a dose of trivia, Clive Revill plays “Sikes”, and was also the original portrayal of The Emperor in The Empire Strikes Back (before Lucas changed him out to fit the prequels)
Here’s a fun fact. Mel Brooks did not tell Steven Webber (Harker) that he was about to be covered in 20 gallons of fake blood.
