The music - House of Dracula (1945) Discussion

[–] The_Dying_Flutchman 18 years ago

"The Titular Hare" by Arnie Sucksdorf. Used many times in Universal horror pix.

Nothing exists more beautifully than nothing.

reply

[–] jblamont 18 years ago

Is that musical piece available anywhere other than in the movie?

reply

[–] wwkentucky 18 years ago

If you're talking about the piece that Martha O'Driscoll is playing on the piano, it's Beethoven's "Moonlight Sonata," more properly titled (are you ready?):

"Adagio Sostenuto" from Sonata No. 14 in C-sharp Minor, Op. 27

I've always liked how the music grows darker & ghostlier as she begins to fall under Count Dracula's spell.

reply

[–] delowens 18 years ago

<<If you're talking about the piece that Martha O'Driscoll is playing on the piano, it's Beethoven's "Moonlight Sonata," more properly titled... "Adagio Sostenuto" from Sonata No. 14 in C-sharp Minor, Op. 27.>>

Right... referred to by Victor Borge, while playing it, as "Molto tedioso."

The sonata then, of course, subtly merges into more sinister music which is, I believe, what the inquirer was referring to.

reply

[–] Harold_Robbins 17 years ago

I think "Moonlight Sonata" was also used that year in THE PICTURE OF DORIAN GRAY.

"I don't use a pen: I write with a goose quill dipped in venom!"---W. Lydecker

reply

[–] The_Dying_Flutchman 16 years ago

Massimo Girotti got splinters in his arse listening to it ad infinitum.

Nothing is more beautiful than nothing.

reply

[–] browncis 15 years ago

The piece in question is indeed Ludwig van Beethoven's "Moonlight Sonata", listed on a CD that I have as:

Adagio sostenuto from Piano Sonata No. 14 in C Sharp Minor,
Op. 27 No. 2 "Moonlight"

I listened to the music where Count Dracula (John Carradine) enters the castle dressed in full regalia (cape, top hat, et al), then compared it to the version I have on CD, and they are the same piece of music.

Because of the shadows, the silence of Dracula, the way he glances about the room, and his wearing of a full set of Dracula regalia, I count this entrance among my top movie entrances. Don't have a ranking for it, but it is among my favorites, along with:

#1) The Invisible Man: The Invisible Man's (Claude Rains) entry into the pub. He pauses at the doorway, the wind hits a high pitched howl, and the patrons gape in awe and horror at him.

#2) Dr. No: James Bond (Sean Connery) entering his apartment and framed by Sylvia Trench's legs as she misses her golf putt.

BTW, in the recent movie Knowing, Nicholas Cage's character listens to Beethoven's Allegretto from Symphony No. 7 in A, Op. 92

reply

[–] 15 years ago

[deleted]