Mark of the Vampire (1935)

77% of critics liked it
(13 reviews)
37% want to see it
(1,491 ratings)

Mark of the Vampire is Tod Browning's remake of his own 1927 thriller London After Midnight, which unfortunately no longer exists. The sudden appearance of ghostly vampires in a remote mittel-European community is seemingly tied in with an old, unsolved murder case. Police inspector Neumann (Lionel… More Mark of the Vampire is Tod Browning's remake of his own 1927 thriller London After Midnight, which unfortunately no longer exists. The sudden appearance of ghostly vampires in a remote mittel-European community is seemingly tied in with an old, unsolved murder case. Police inspector Neumann (Lionel Atwill) and occult expert Prof. Zelen (Lionel Barrymore) investigate, with the full cooperation of leading citizen Baron Otto (Jean Hersholt). For awhile, it looks as though the vampires -- Count Mora (Bela Lugosi) and his chalky-faced daughter Luna (Carroll Borland) -- will continue to hold the community in thrall, but the truth behind their mysterious activities is revealed midway through the film, whereupon the story concentrates on identifying the well-concealed murderer. In the original London After Midnight, Lon Chaney played both Count Mora and Prof. Zelen, which should provide a clue as to the film's incredible outcome. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: G, 1 hr. 1 min.
Directed By: Tod Browning
Written By: Guy Endore, Bernard Schubert
Genres: Mystery & Suspense, Horror

Studio: MGM Home Entertainment

Critic Reviews

Frank S. Nugent, New York Times
Like most good ghost stories, it's a lot of fun, even though you don't believe a word of it.
Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader
One of the classics of the horror genre.
John J. Puccio, Movie Metropolis
...high on atmospherics, with bats, beetles, rats, spiders, castles, manor houses, graveyards, and peasant dancers in costume lending it a quaint and eerie charm.
John J. Puccio, Movie Metropolis
There isn't much in the story that one hasn't seen before, until the very end when Browning and the script turn everything on its ear.
Geoff Andrew, Time Out
A real touch of class is present in James Wong Howe's magnificent photography, not to mention Carol Borland's stunning apparition as a vampire.
Gerald Peary, Boston Phoenix
The film gets tiresome and talky, even at its 61-minute length.
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
Scores high marks for creating a sense of otherworldly dread that depends very little on whether or not what we see makes any sense.
, Film4
Suffering from a flagging pace and patchy script, the film has its plus points nevertheless -- notably a good use of visuals.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
This amusing B&W film, with photography by James Wong Howe, captures the eerie atmosphere befitting a horror film.

Read all 9 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Cindy I

Ultimately disappointing vampire story, whose only saving grace is Carol Borland, who really spooked me in her role as the female vampire.
Antony S

One gets the distinct feel that Mark of the Vampire could and should have been really something, but sadly Browning's film fell prey to the fall-out of his own trend-setting. Mark was initially supposed to depict an incestuous relationship between the father and daughter vampires… More
One gets the distinct feel that Mark of the Vampire could and should have been really something, but sadly Browning's film fell prey to the fall-out of his own trend-setting. Mark was initially supposed to depict an incestuous relationship between the father and daughter vampires terrorising the town. But MGM were all over Browning after the controversy caused by his masterwork Freaks, that they immediately cut that out without any consideration for how it would affect the plot. As a result, Lugosi sports a bullet-wound throughout the film for seeingly no reason. Besides this, we endure some leaden acting and frightful staginess, irregardless of Browning's honest attempts at atmospherics. Exposition is also a problem, the events unfolding as if read from an instruction maual. Redeemingly, the picture does sport a delightfully unusual ending and features more comedy than you'd expect, making it at the very least entertaining.
Eduardo C

Godawful script (due, at least in part, to the numerous scenes that were never shot and a number of others which did not make the final cut) is somewhat redeemed by some decent atmosphere, a spectacular sequence (with some very impressive special effects) and a very creepy performance… More
Godawful script (due, at least in part, to the numerous scenes that were never shot and a number of others which did not make the final cut) is somewhat redeemed by some decent atmosphere, a spectacular sequence (with some very impressive special effects) and a very creepy performance by Mr. Lionel Atwill. Is this a remake of "London After Midnight"?
cody f

Barely a step above a Ed Wood film, which is surprising with such a good cast and a great director like Tod Browning. The pace and editing of the film is chaotic and the story is stupid. The only saving grace is the look and it's only 80 minutes. I read this film had 20 plus… More
Barely a step above a Ed Wood film, which is surprising with such a good cast and a great director like Tod Browning. The pace and editing of the film is chaotic and the story is stupid. The only saving grace is the look and it's only 80 minutes. I read this film had 20 plus minutes cut out so that would explain why it was so horrible. It also has a bad twist ending reminiscent of April Fools Day, do not waste your time.
Leo L

A favorite.

Cast

            Lionel Barrymore as Prof. Zelen

            Bela Lugosi as Count Mora

            Elizabeth Allan as Irena Borotyn

            Lionel Atwill as Inspector Neumann

            Carroll Borland as Luna Mora

            Jean Hersholt as Baron Otto von Zinden

            Henry Wadsworth as Count Feodor Vincenty

            Donald Meek as Dr. Doskil

            Jessie Ralph as Midwife

            Ivan Simpson as Jan

            Holmes Herbert as Sir Karell Borotyn

            Franklyn Ardell as Chauffeur

            Egon Brecher as Coroner

            Guy Bellis as English Man

            Leila Bennett as Maria

            James Bradbury Jr
            
            Rosemary Glosz as Innkeeper's Wife

            Robert Greig as Fat Man

            Eily Malyon as Sick Woman

            Torben Meyer as Card Player

            Christian Rub as Deaf Man

            Zeffie Tilbury as Grandmother

            Clare Verdera as English Woman

            Michael Visaroff as Innkeeper

            June Gittelson as Annie

            Baron Hesse as Bus Driver
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