Bela Lugosi won immediate fame for his portrayal of the immortal count in the 1931 film Dracula. After a decade of trying vainly to broaden his range and secure parts to challenge his acting abilities, Lugosi resigned himself to a career as the world’s most recognizable vampire. His last years were spent as a forgotten and rather tragic figure. When he died in 1956, Lugosi could not have known that vindication of his talent would come—his face would adorn theaters, his image would appear on greeting cards and postage stamps, his film memorabilia would sell for more than he earned in his entire career, and his Hungarian accent would be instantly recognized by millions of people. Martin Landau’s Oscar-winning role as Lugosi in the 1994 film Ed Wood added an ironic twist to a career that had ended in oblivion.

In 1974, devoted Lugosi fan Arthur Lennig published a highly regarded biography of the unsung actor. More than twice the length of the original and completely rewritten, The Immortal Count provides deeper insights into Lugosi’s films and personality. Drawing upon personal interviews, studio memos, shooting scripts, research in Romania and Hungary, and his own recollections, Lennig has written the definitive account of Lugosi’s tragic life.

Arthur Lennig, emeritus professor of cinema at the University of Albany, is the author of Stroheim. He lives in Loudonville, New York.

Reviews:

"One comes away from Lennig's book with a deep respect for both Lugosi and the author himself."--Scary Monsters Magazine

"This book is long overdue and is highly recommended as biography, film history and pop culture. It is the last word on Lugosi."--National Board of Review

“One of the best screen biographies I’ve ever read. . . . It’s an exhaustively researched tragedy that, although compassionately written, doesn’t sink into hyperbole.”-- reallyscarry.com

“Lennig’s affectionate but critical study is impressively documented with financial records, trade periodical citations, an extensive filmography, and interviews, and it is lavishly illustrated with original photographs.”-- Choice

“Pays great respect to the movie legend and preserves the man’s career and tragic life for future generations.”-- allmovie.com

“Well worth buying and reading for anyone interested in Lugosi. It’s sections on Lugosi’s pre-film life are engrossing; its expanded section on Dracula—film and play—is thorough and thought-provoking.”-- Video Watchdog

“The definitive account of Lugosi’s tragic life and times.”— Turner Classic Movies

“No one else will ever equal his knowledge of Lugosi.”-- Toronto Globe and Mail

“Once you get a look at the rise and fall of Bela, you’ll never see him in the same way again. . . . The only can’t-put-down biography I’ve read in over a year.”-- Big Reel

"Lennig's lifelong worship of his subject adds an intensely personal flavor to this biography of the complex horror king, which shines in its ability to respect Lugosi's talent, regardless of personality flaws."--Publisher's Weekly

"A moving, lively, witty, sad book that revives once more the long dead Count Dracula."--Kirkus

"In this intelligent biography, Lennig details the talented Hungarian-born actor's five marriages, drug addictions, feuds with Boris Karloff, and appearances in Ed Wood's humiliating movies, drawing on firsthand information, archives, interviews, and years of research."--Library Journal

"Remains passionately personal in its outlook, but thanks to new research and greater availability of films it also offers a more comprehensive and richly detailed study of Bela Lugosi's complex personality."--Paul M. Jensen

“Will stand for a long time as the definitive book about the man who incarnated Dracula, to the great detriment of his career."--Lexington Herald-Leader

“Will stand for a long time as the definitive book about the man who incarnated Dracula, to the great detriment of his career.”--Palm Beach Post