The Curse of Dracula is a 1958 British horror film directed by Terence Fisher and produced by the famous Hammer Film Productions. It is also known as Horror of Dracula in some regions. The film serves as a reboot of the classic Dracula story, giving it a modern twist while retaining the essence of the original tale. The Curse of Dracula stars Christopher Lee in the iconic role of Count Dracula and Peter Cushing as Professor Abraham Van Helsing. Lee's portrayal of Dracula became one of the most defining and memorable interpretations of the character, setting the standard for future vampire films. The film follows the story of Jonathan Harker, a young solicitor who travels to Castle Dracula to assist the Count with his legal affairs.
Hi everyone! What better way to kick off my first blog post than with a party dress?! The combination of having a small child and a worldwide pandemic has meant parties haven’t really been a thing for a while but now the invites have begun to flood in! Not one, but TWO, party invites. This calls for a new dress! I’ve chosen to make The Capulet Dress by Stitch Witch Patterns which is a dress I’ve made previously as part of the pattern testing team. I absolutely love this pattern as it has two sleeve options with all the drama! If you love a big sleeve, then this dress will not disappoint. There are options for a short puff sleeve and a long Juliet sleeve, that gives a nod towards Shakespeare’s heroine Juliet Capulet. It is a beautiful, wearable, modern take on the square necklines and puffed sleeved fashions from long ago that have resurfaced more recently.
I spotted this beautiful rose gold and black viscose jacquard in Jenny s shop and thought it would be perfect for creating a more structured version of the dress with some added sparkle. It is a softer jacquard without any of that crunchy feel you can often get with these materials, and I also found it frayed less than similar fabrics I ve worked with.
The film follows the story of Jonathan Harker, a young solicitor who travels to Castle Dracula to assist the Count with his legal affairs. However, Harker soon discovers that Dracula is a powerful vampire, and his life is in grave danger. Van Helsing, a renowned vampire hunter, becomes involved in the situation and vows to stop Dracula's reign of terror.
Pattern Test – StitchWitch Patterns, The Basque Dress
I’m in love. I knew when I saw Madeline’s sneak peeks on Instagram that I was going to love the Basque dress (which is also a top pattern) and I was delighted when I was offered a spot on the tester team as I wouldn’t have to wait until it was released to give it a go.
It really is a beauty and it is composed of several variations – there is a blouse version, two skirt options (an A-line and a gathered skirt) and two sleeve options as well as instructions for making the garment sleeveless. There are so many cute combinations you could make with this pattern. The pattern gets its name from the beautiful basque waistline. It gives the dress a historical feel to it, which really appeals to me.
The Size Range for this pattern has been extended, too, which will be welcome news for many. The size chart now goes up to a size 34 (B:58″ W:51″ H:60″). The other patterns are all being updated to this range, too.
ORIGINS
Obviously, as the name suggests, the Basque waistline originated in France; they’re basically a type of bodice that either extends below the waistline or over the skirt. They have a V-shape and are contoured to fit closely to the body, in the style of a corset. Adopted from the traditional Basque country dress, these waistlines were popularised in the Victorian era. Even Queen Victoria’s wedding dress was influenced by the Basque.
The structured, eight-piece bodice features a pointed waistline with a deep v-shape, which is automatically the image I recall when I think of the basque. This and sculpted lingerie pieces which has taken the name today.
THE PATTERN
From the variations on offer, I opted for the gathered skirt and puff sleeve options.
The instructions are so clear and the illustrations are good, too – this was a Saturday afternoon project, it comes together so easily and at no point in the construction do you have to second guess yourself.
The bodice itself is shaped by waist and bust darts; the neckline has a corresponding facing which can be interfaced (or not), depending on your preference. I interfaced mine but I only had medium weight interfacing handy and I would recommend using a lightweight interfacing, for sure, as the neckline really doesn’t need much support and the heavier weight has made my facing frustratingly rigid. You can see the facing trying to escape in the corner in the photo below even though it has been clipped and understitched:
I opted to make my dress tight fitting (as it traditionally the style of a basque) so I probably didn’t need the waist ties but I think they make the dress pretty cute at the back so I added them for the extra detailing.
The V in the bodice was also much more easy to achieve than I had imagined; shortening the stitches and reinforcing them by backstitching a few stitches also helps. It’s not too easy to see in this print but that’s where I think colour blocking would elevate this dress to another level (and I do have plans for that).
It’s such a dreamy pattern, made all the more so by my fabric choice for my test run. I pulled out this pastel lilac floral cotton thinking I had 3m and therefore plenty to sew with (I always buy fabric in 3m increments if I don’t know what I plan to make with it as I’m assured being able to make a dress with this quantity) but I discovered I must only have bought 2m as it came up as 1.75m as it had been pre-washed. I supposeI bought it back last year when I just began sewing so wasn’t really sure how much I needed. I bought it from Til The Sun Goes Down which is one of my favourite places to shop vintage / vintage inspired fabrics. I think it was made for this pattern.
Will you be making the new Stitch Witch Patterns Basque Top and Dress?
From the variations on offer, I opted for the gathered skirt and puff sleeve options.
The Curse of Dracula is known for its atmospheric settings and gothic aesthetics. The film showcases the iconic Hammer Horror style, characterized by lavish production design, vibrant colors, and captivating cinematography. It also features intense and gory scenes, making it a standout in the vampire genre. The Curse of Dracula became a commercial success and established Hammer Films as a leading horror production company. It was praised for its strong performances, particularly Christopher Lee's portrayal of Dracula. Lee brought a sinister and hypnotic presence to the character, fearlessly embracing the dark and seductive nature of the vampire. Despite being released over six decades ago, The Curse of Dracula remains a beloved classic among horror enthusiasts. Its influence can be seen in subsequent Dracula adaptations and vampire films, setting the groundwork for future interpretations of the iconic vampire. The film's legacy continues to captivate audiences and solidify its place in horror cinema history. In conclusion, The Curse of Dracula (1958) is a timeless classic that reinvents the Dracula story for a new generation. Its enduring popularity and influence on the vampire genre speak to its status as a must-watch for any horror fan. This film's rich atmosphere, captivating performances, and lasting impact make it a memorable addition to the Dracula mythos..
Reviews for "Unmasking the Terror: The Curse of Draculs 1958 and the Evolution of Vampires in Film"
- John Smith - 1 star
"The Curse of Draculs 1958" was an absolute disaster. The acting was terrible, with wooden performances and over-exaggerated accents. The plot was predictable and had no real depth or intrigue. The special effects were laughable, especially the vampire transformation scenes which looked more like a child's Halloween costume. Overall, this movie was a waste of time and I would not recommend it to anyone.
- Jane Doe - 2 stars
I was highly disappointed with "The Curse of Draculs 1958". The storyline had potential, but it was poorly executed. The pacing was slow, and the characters lacked depth, making it difficult to care about their fates. The dialogue was cheesy and cliché, and the attempts at humor fell flat. The production value was low, with noticeable technical flaws and cheap-looking sets. While this movie may appeal to fans of cheesy B-movies, it did not live up to my expectations.
- Michael Johnson - 1 star
"The Curse of Draculs 1958" was one of the worst movies I've ever seen. The acting was abysmal, with actors delivering their lines with no emotion or conviction. The storyline was convoluted and confusing, leaving me more frustrated than entertained. The special effects were of poor quality and looked like they were done on a shoestring budget. Overall, this movie was a painful experience and I regret sitting through it. Avoid it at all costs.