The Rio Theatre continues its dive into classic monster movies of the past with a screening of director Todd Browning’s pre-code work of “romantic horror”, DRACULA, based on the 1924 stage play “Dracula,” which in turn was adapted from the 1897 novel of the same name by Bram Stoker. The film stars Bela Lugosi as the enigmatic Count Dracula, a vampire who emigrates from Transylvania to England and preys upon the blood of living victims, including a young man’s fiancée. DRACULA was a commercial and critical success upon release, enjoyed several sequels and spin-offs, and has had a notable influence on popular culture; it was Lugosi‘s portrayal of Dracula that established the character as a cultural icon, as well as the archetypal vampire in subsequent works.

The dashing, mysterious Count Dracula (Lugosi), after hypnotizing a British soldier, Renfield (Dwight Frye), into his mindless slave, travels to London and takes up residence in an old castle. Soon Dracula begins to wreak havoc, sucking the blood of young women and turning them into vampires. When he sets his sights on Mina (Helen Chandler), the daughter of a prominent doctor, vampire-hunter Van Helsing (Edward Van Sloan) is enlisted to put a stop to the count’s never-ending bloodlust.

Wednesday, October 21
Doors 6:45 pm | Movie 7:15 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.
Advance tickets $15 HERE | $15 at the door

*Minors permitted in the balcony. Must be 19+ w/ID for bar service and main floor seating.
*Sorry, Rio Theatre Groupons and passes n/a for this screening.

PLEASE NOTE: All of the Rio Theatre’s screenings are operating at a sharply reduced capacity. We can’t guarantee availability of tickets at the door, so advance tickets for all screening events are strongly recommended. Our online box office can be found at www.riotheatretickets.ca. Online sales for every screening automatically end 1 hour before any given showtime.

DRACULA (Todd Browning, 1931 / 75 mins / PG) A powerful and ruthless vampire named Count Dracula arrives in London to prey on young, socialite women. Standing in the vampire’s way, is a group of concerned men and the enigmatic Dr. Abraham Van Helsing.