Edward Van Sloan was born on 1 November 1882. That was in Minnesota. I mention it only because I tend to think of him as British. But that’s because of the kind of roles he played.

But I know! Most people don’t know his name. But he had notable parts in Dracula, The Mummy, and Frankenstein.

This in itself is remarkable. He had major parts in the 3 most important horror films of the 1930s. He also reprised his role of Professor Von Helsing in Dracula’s Daughter.

And sure. You could write this off to him being just a Universal player. But the truth is, he was just right for these films. He pretty much defines the “learned professor” archetype in horror films.

Apparently, the producers of Frankenstein were afraid that the usual religious conservatives would protest the film. So they had Van Sloan come out on stage as himself and give the following introduction, which I don’t think would impress the censors at all! If you ask me, it adds to the thrills of the film:

How do you do? Mr Carl Laemmle feels it would be a little unkind to present this picture without just a word of friendly warning. We’re about to unfold the story of Frankenstein, a man of science who sought to create a man after his own image without reckoning upon God. It is one of the strangest tales ever told. It deals with the two great mysteries of creation: life and death. I think it will thrill you. It may shock you. It might even horrify you. So if any of you feel that you do not care to subject your nerves to such a strain, now is your chance to, uh… well, we’ve warned you!

Of the four important films Edward Van Sloan appeared in, my favorite is The Mummy. But he doesn’t have a big part in it. (We’ll have to watch for later this month when I do Boris Karloff’s birthday!) So let’s watch him in Dracula!

Other 1 November Psychotronic Birthdays & Releases

Filmmakers

• Betsy Palmer (1926-2015): Actor known for Friday the 13th and Bell Witch: The Movie.
• Toni Collette (1972-): Actor known for The Sixth Sense, Little Miss Sunshine, and more.
• Lucky McKee (1975-): Writer-director of May, The Woman, and more.

Films

• Phantom (1931): People in a mansion are stalked by a murderer.
• Prehistoric Women (1950): A group of women hate men.
• The Mask (1961): An Aztec mask takes people into a nightmare world.
• I, Monster (1971): Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde with different names.
• Superbeast (1972): A man comes upon a mad scientist and his lab in the middle of the jungle.
• Phantom of the Paradise (1974): A composer is betrayed by a record producer, and now he’s coming for revenge.
• Buffalo Rider (1976): A man in the Old West tames and rides a buffalo.
• A Nightmare on Elm Street Part 2: Freddy’s Revenge (1985): Freddy tries to possess a high schooler.
• Black Roses (1988): Demons disguise themselves as a rock band.
• Beverly Hills Vamp (1989): Three young filmmakers hire prostitutes who are also vampires.
• Highlander 2: The Quickening (1991): MacLeod must save the Earth.
• People Under the Stairs (1991): A kid breaks into the landlord’s house only learn that that they are kidnapping and killing boys.
• Bad Moon (1996): A gets bitten by a werewolf and then goes to live near his sister when her son.
• 28 Days Later (2002): Mostly a British Day of the Dead.
• Dracula (2009): Dracula comes to Hollywood for revenge — and blood.
• The Lighthouse (2019): Two lighthouse keepers hate each other.
• Terminator: Dark Fate (2019): Sarah Connor is back and teams up with the original Terminator.

Edward Van Sloan as himself from the start of Frankenstein under Fair Use.