“Dracula: Dead and Loving It” is a comedy film directed by Mel Brooks, known for his satirical take on classic stories. In this spoof of Bram Stoker’s “Dracula,” a lawyer unwittingly becomes entangled in the world of vampires when he falls prey to Count Dracula’s charms. As the lawyer becomes Dracula’s servant, chaos ensues, and it’s up to Dr. van Helsing to stop the vampire’s reign of terror.

Production:

• Production Companies: Columbia Pictures, Castle Rock Entertainment, Enigma Pictures
• Release Date: December 22, 1995
• Language: English, Deutsch
• Genre: Comedy, Horror
• Budget: $30 million
• Box Office: $10.7 million

Cast:

• Leslie Nielsen as Count Dracula
• Mel Brooks as Professor Abraham Van Helsing
• Amy Yasbeck as Mina Murray / Lucy Westenra
• Peter MacNicol as Thomas Renfield
• Lysette Anthony as Lucy Westenra
• Harvey Korman as Dr. Jack Seward
• Steven Weber as Jonathan Harker
• Mark Blankfield as Martin
• Megan Cavanagh as Essie
• Gregg Binkley as Woodbridge
• Anne Bancroft as Madame Ouspenskaya

Crew:

• Director: Mel Brooks
• Screenplay: Mel Brooks, Rudy De Luca, Steve Haberman
• Producer: Mel Brooks
• Music: Hummie Mann
• Cinematography: Michael D. O’Shea
• Editing: Adam Weiss

Themes and Motifs:

• Satire: “Dracula: Dead and Loving It” is a parody of classic vampire tales, poking fun at the conventions and clichés of the genre.
• Humor: The film is filled with slapstick comedy, witty one-liners, and absurd situations, typical of Mel Brooks’s comedic style.
• Classic Horror Tropes: While the film is primarily a comedy, it also pays homage to classic horror elements found in the original “Dracula” story.

Reception: “Dracula: Dead and Loving It” received mixed reviews from critics, with some praising its humor and performances, while others found it lacking compared to Brooks’s previous works. The film underperformed at the box office, failing to recoup its production budget.

Legacy: Despite its initial reception, “Dracula: Dead and Loving It” has gained a cult following among fans of Mel Brooks’s comedic style. It is often regarded as a quirky addition to the vampire comedy subgenre and is appreciated for its irreverent take on the Dracula mythos.