Bela Lugosi (1882–1956), best known for the original screen portrayal of Bram Stoker's Dracula in 1931, performed in many films during the course of his 39-year film career. He appeared in films made in his native Hungary, Germany and New York before re-locating to Hollywood in 1928. Films are listed in order of release. (see Bela Lugosi for his biography.)
1910s This is a list of confirmed film roles Lugosi has performed in. Some films from other filmography sources have not been included here such as Star Film's Casanova (1918), Lulu (1918) and Lili (1917), all of which had announced that Lugosi would appear in them, but Lugosi was apparently dropped from the cast before production began.
Year Title Role Director(s) Notes 1917Leoni LeoLeoni Leo Billed as Arisztid Olt. Previewed in August 1917.Álarcosbál ()René Billed as Arisztid Olt. Previewed in late October 1917, released on March 11, 1918.Radmirov Katalin ()Undetermined Previewed in late October 1917. It is uncertain if Lugosi ever appeared in this film.1918Az élet királya ()Lord Harry Wotton Billed as Arisztid Olt. Previewed on October 23, 1917. Released in January 21, 1918. A Nászdal ()Paul Bertram billed as Arisztid OltA Régiséggyüjtö ()UnknownBilled as Arisztid Olt; comedy short. Previewed on February 28, 1918. Released on March 6, 1918.Tavaszi vihar ()RennerBilled as Arisztid Olt. Previewed on February 28, 1918, released on April 22, 1918.Küzdelem a létért ()Pal OrlayBilled as Arisztid Olt. Previewed on July 16, 1918, released on September 22, 1918.99-es számú bérkocsiDetective Ward Previewed on September 12, 1918, released on November 8, 1918.Az ezredes ()The Colonelpreviewed on December 30, 1918
1920s Year Title Role Director(s) Notes 1920 Hypnose: Sklaven fremden Willens ()Professor Mors.Later released as Sklaven fremden Willens. Premiered January 1920Daughter of the NightAndre FleurotReleased in Germany (as Der Tanz auf dem Vulkan) in two parts: Sybil Joung and Der Tod Des Grobfirsten. First part premiered in February 1920.Der JanuskopfButlerOriginally screened as Schrecken. Previewed in April 1920. Premiered on August 26, 1920.Der Fluch der Menschheit (The Curse of Man)MalzerReleased in two Parts: Die Tochter der Arbeit and Im Rausche der Milliarden. Premiered in September 1920.Das ganze Sein ist flammend Leid (transl. All Existence is a Flaming Sorrow)Unknown rolePremiered in September 1920.Auf den Trümmern des Paradieses (On the Brink of Paradise)Unknown rolePremiered in October 1920. Received general release in November 1920.Lederstrumpf (Leatherstocking)ChingachgookShown in two parts: as The Deerslayer and Chingachgook and The Last of the Mohicans (1920 German film). Previewed in October, had general release in November 1920. Later released in a condensed version in the U.S. as The Deerslayer.Die Frau im Delphin (The Woman in the Dolphin)Tom BillFirst screened in November 1920.Die Todeskarawane (Caravan of Death)SheikPremiered in November 1920.Nat Pinkerton im Kampf (Nat Pinkerton in the Fight)Gang LeaderReleased in two parts, Das Ende des Artisten Bartolini and Diebesfallen. Lugosi only appears in the first part.Die Teufelsanbeter (The Devil Worshippers) Unknown role,Muhsin Ertuğrul John Hopkins the Third CowboyGerman: Die verschwundene Million 1921Der Sklavenhalter von Kansas-City ()George CorvinPremiered in 1920, earliest known public screenings in February 1921. 1922Asszonyszivek kalandora () Title characterA two-act short feature film, possibly edited down from an earlier film.1923Ihre Hoheit die Tänzerin ()Unknown role and Fritz Bernhardttitle changed in 1923 to Der Leidensweg der Eva Grunwald (transl. The Ordeal of Eva Grunwald) by the censors, but was unable to be releasedBenedict Hisston Filmed in New York; Lugosi's 1st American film Lennig, Arthur (2003). The Immortal Count: The Life and Films of Bela Lugosi. The University Press of Kentucky. pg. 42-43. 1924Jean Gagnon1925Nicholas HarmonDaughters Who PaySerge Romonsky 1926PunchinelloPierrot, a harlequinLater rereleased in Color as The Mask 1928How to Handle WomenBodyguard 1929The Veiled WomanNanon's SuitorPrisonersBrottos Inspector DelzanteErik the GreatLugosi dubbed Conrad Veidt's English-speaking character into Hungarian in the Hungarian version only. Released in Hungary approximately around February 1930.
1930s Year Title Role Director(s) Notes 1930Such Men Are DangerousDr. GoodmanWild CompanyFelix BrownKing of JazzHimselfLugosi appears as the Hungarian-language host in the Hungarian version only. Released in Hungary on September 6, 1930. Filmed in Technicolor.RenegadesSheik Muhammad Halid, the MaraboutViennese NightsCount von Ratz, an ambassadorAlan CroslandFilmed in Technicolor.Oh, For a Man!Frescatti, a singing teacherHarold McFadden1931 DraculaCount Dracula50 Million Frenchmen Orizon, the magicianFilmed in Technicolor (only black and white prints survive). Women of All NationsPrince Hassan Tarneverro, a fortune tellerBroadmindedPancho Arango1932 Murders in the Rue MorgueDr. MirakleWhite Zombie"Murder" LegendreChandu the MagicianRoxor, William Cameron MenziesIsland of Lost SoulsSayer of the LawJoseph Steiner 1933The Whispering ShadowProfessor Adam StrangColbert ClarkAlbert Herman 12-chapter serialNight of TerrorDegar, a Hindu servantInternational HouseGeneral Nicholas Branovsky PetronovichThe Devil's in LoveMilitary ProsecutorUncredited1934The Black CatDr. Vitus WerdegastGift of Gab ApacheThe Return of Chandu ChanduFilm serial later edited into two features: Return of Chandu (1934) and Chandu on the Magic Island (1935).The Mysterious Mr. Wong Mr. Wong1935 The Best Man Wins Dr. BoehmMark of the Vampire Count MoraThe Raven Dr. Richard VollinMurder by Television Arthur Perry/Professor Houghland's Assistant The Mystery of the Mary Celeste Anton LorenzenReleased in the U.S. in a shorter form as Phantom Ship1936The Invisible RayDr. Felix BenetPostal InspectorGregory BenezShadow of ChinatownVictor Poten15-chapter serial, also released as a feature film1937S.O.S. Coast GuardForeign agent BoroffAlan JamesWilliam Witney 12-chapter Film serial also released in 1942 as a 69-minute feature version1939Son of FrankensteinYgorThe GorillaPeters, the butlerThe Phantom CreepsDr. Alex ZorkaFord BeebeSaul A. Goodkind 12-chapter Film serial also released as a feature filmThe Dark Eyes of London Dr. Orloff, Dr. DearbornReleased in U.S. as The Human MonsterNinotchka Commissar Razinin
1940s Year Title Role Director(s) Notes 1940The Saint's Double TroubleThe PartnerBlack FridayEric MarnayArthur LubinYou'll Find OutPrince Saliano, a fortune tellerDavid ButlerDr. Paul CarruthersFantasiaN/AVariousLugosi was hired as a model for the demon in this animated film, but his footage was ultimately not usedRhodes, Gary (1997). Lugosi: His Life in Films, on Stage, and in the Hearts of Horror Lovers. pg. 213, 1941Invisible GhostDr. Charles KesslerJoseph H. LewisThe Black CatEduardo VitosAlbert S. RogellSpooks Run WildNardoThe Wolf ManBelaGeorge Waggner1942Black DragonsDr. Melcher/Monsieur ColombThe Ghost of FrankensteinYgorErle C. KentonS.O.S. Coast GuardBoroff Feature version of the 1937 serialThe Corpse VanishesDr. LorenzNight MonsterRolfBowery at MidnightProfessor Brenner and Karl Wagner1943Frankenstein Meets the Wolf ManFrankenstein MonsterRoy William NeillDr. James BrewsterGhosts on the LooseEmilThe Return of the VampireCount Armand Tesla/Dr. Hugo BrucknerLew Landers1944Voodoo ManDr. Richard MarloweReturn of the Ape ManProf. DexterOne Body Too ManyMerkil, the butlerFrank Mcdonald1945Zombies on BroadwayDr. Paul RenaultGordon DouglasThe Body SnatcherJosephRobert Wise1946Genius at WorkStoneLeslie Goodwins1947Scared to DeathProfessor LeonideChristy CabanneFilmed in Cinecolor.1948Abbott and Costello Meet FrankensteinCount DraculaCharles Barton.
1950s Year Title Role Director(s) Notes 1952 Mother Riley Meets the VampireVon HoussenReleased as both Vampire Over London and My Son, the Vampire in the United StatesBela Lugosi Meets a Brooklyn GorillaDr. ZaborWilliam Beaudineaka The Boys From Brooklyn1953Glen or GlendaSpirit/NarratorEd Wood1955Bride of the MonsterDr. Eric VornoffEd Wood1956The Black SleepCasimir, the butlerReginald Le BorgRe-released in 1963 as Dr. Cadman's Secret1957Plan 9 from Outer SpaceThe Ghoul ManEd Wood(archival footage) released posthumously1959Lock Up Your DaughtersHimselfPhil Rosen(stock footage) released posthumously in UK onlyGary Don Rhodes (1997). "6. Lock Up Your Daughters, 1959 (pp. 381-3)". Lugosi. His Life in Films, on Stage, and in the Hearts of Horror Lovers. Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland.
Television/Radio
Intimate Interviews (1932) interviewed on radio by Dorothy West Hollywood on Parade No. A-8 (1933) a 10-minute comedy skit/ short subject with Bonnie Poe as Betty Boop Universal's Black Cat Contest (March 1934) this newsreel showed Karloff and Lugosi trying to pick the winner of Universal's "Black Cat Contest" Screen Snapshots Episode 34 (1934) this newsreel shows Lugosi playing chess with Boris Karloff Hollywood Movie Parade (1934) a short featurette co-starring Jackie Cooper Baker's Broadcast (1937) Lugosi and Karloff sang "We're Horrible, Horrible Men" on this radio show with Ozzie and Harriet Texaco Star Theater (Nov. 15, 1939) Lugosi appeared with Burgess Meredith on this "Dracula on Sunnybrook Farm" radio episode Black Friday Newsreel (Jan. 18, 1940) - Lugosi shown being hypnotized by his friend Manly Hall for his death scene in Black Friday (1940); film is lost Kay Kayser Radio Show (Sept. 25, 1940) with Karloff and Peter Lorre The Milton Berle Show TV show (mid-1940s) Texaco Star Theatre Play Broadcast Quiz Program (May 2, 1941) Chicago radio show Screen Snapshots (1943) Lugosi is shown in this newsreel donating blood during World War II Suspense Radio Show (Feb. 2, 1943) episode called "The Doctor Prescribed Death" Texaco Star Theater: The Fred Allen Show (Apr. 25, 1943) Lugosi did a radio comedy sketch with Fred Allen Mail Call (March 11, 1944) Lugosi appeared with Orson Welles and Edward Everett Horton on this radio show Mystery House Radio (1944) Lugosi was to host a syndicated radio series; a pilot was apparently made with Lugosi and John Carradine called "The Thirsty Death", but it is unknown if it ever aired; the program is considered lost. Which Is Which? Radio Show (Feb. 14, 1945) with host Ken Murray Country Fair Radio Show (July 31, 1945) with host Jack Bailey Command Performance produced by the Armed Forces Radio Service (July 16, 1946) Lugosi did a "Superman" skit with Bob Hope, Paulette Goddard and Sterling Holloway (Lugosi played the villain named Dr. Bekini) The Rudy Vallee Show Radio Show (Oct. 22, 1946) Lugosi did a short comedy skit in which he played a vampire called "The Bat" Exploring the Unknown Radio Show (Mar. 9, 1947) The Adventures of Ellery Queen Radio Show (Mar. 19, 1947) crime drama Quick As a Flash Radio Show (May 18, 1947) The Bill and Fan Show Albany N.Y. Radio show (Aug. 4, 1947) Lugosi interviewed while at Saratoga Racetrack Backstage at the Spa Theater Schenectady TV station (August 6, 1947) Lugosi interview Hollywood Soundstage Albany Radio show (Aug. 7, 1947) Lugosi interviewed by Cathy Rice Candid Microphone Radio Show (Oct. 24, 1947) starring Alan Funt The Guy Lebow Show Radio (Summer, 1948) Lugosi interview The Abbott and Costello Show Radio Program (May 5, 1948) Lugosi did a haunted house skit with Lou Costello and Sidney Fields The Martha Deane Radio Show N.Y. City radio show (Aug.9, 1948) Lugosi interview Variety Show Los Angeles TV show (Aug. 18, 1948) Lugosi appeared in a pre-filmed TV special Night of Stars Event Madison Square Garden, NY (Nov. 15, 1948) appeared live with Boris Karloff and Peter Lorre in support of Israel Herb Shrimer Time WCBS Radio, NYC (Nov. 22, 1948) Surprise Theater Los Angeles TV show (Aug. 31, 1949) broadcast an episode starring Lugosi