Daily News from New York, New York • 476

'Dracula' Is Still in Good British Hands By DOROTHY MASTERS RADIO CITY f.lUSIC HALi 00 to Showplact of the Nation Rockefefltr Center CI M00 Mm. THE BEST PLACE FOR THE BEST SHOW ON SCREEN AND STAGE! Disinterred from an umpteenth burial, Bram Stoker's fabulous vampire is prodded to life again by the same British producers STARTS TODAY Doors Open 10:15 A. M. CO who last year resurrected Baron I I Frankenstein for an amazingly brisk box office. This time the 11 the laughter of chills are geared to Count Drac- si the smash hit that ran for three years on Broadway with Andy Griffith in the role he made famous roaring fun rising to new heights of mirth and merriment.

CO I Valerie Guant and John Van Eyssen nla's batting around, and al though the principals of "The Curse of Frankenstein" are again in evidence, there is a switch in the good and bad charactenza tions. UNLIKE MOST of Hollywood's quickies, "Horror of Dracula" has allocated time, thought and tal nt to an enterprise which suc cessfully recaptures, the aura and patina of yesteryear's Middle Eu rope. Some of the photography is good enough to frame. The picture is suspenseful and fory, not only because fresh blood is Dracula's lifeline, but because his un-dead victims, themselves rendered bloodthirsty, are also on the prowl for sustenance. Garlic flowers and the crucifix offer protection, but it takes direct sunlight or a stave through the heart to exterminate a vampire, and most of them are too wily to operate by day.

PETER CUSHING plays a doc tor whose friendship for one of Dracula's victims instigates a search for the fiend. He was last year's Frankenstein for Hammer Productions. Christopher Lee, who. co-starred with him as the 'monster, is now top villain as Dracula on Mayfair screen. All performances are good, and many of the special effects are electrifying.

ANDYGRIFFITH EST "8 ltSMMlS MYRON McCORMICK-nick ADAMS tAfe 1 AtK4 fcl4 v3Mt I SCREEN PLAY BY DIRECTED 8 yJ JOHN LEE MAHIN-MERVYN LeROY WARNER BROS. ON THE GREAT STAGE "Horror of Dracula," a Universal-International Technicolor release, directed by Terence Fischer and produced by Anthony Hinds for Hammer Productions. The M'fM play by Jimmy Sangster from the novel by Bram Stoker. Presented at the Mayfair Theatre. Running time: 1 hour, 23 minutes.

A Southern rhapsody produced by Leonidoff featuring the world-renowned TUSKEGEE CHOIR of thirty-five superb singers, THE CAST: direct from Tuskegee Institute, Alabama, Relford Tan Helsinr- Count Dracula Peter Cuahinc -Christopher Lea Michael Go us a. Arthur Holmwood. Sfina Holm Patterson, director Delano O'Banion, young basso discovery the one and only Peg Leg -Melissa Striblinv Carol Marsh John Van Eyssen Valerie Gaunt Jonathan Harteer Vampire Woman Bates famed Rockettes and Corps de Ballet dancing before fabulous settings by James Stewart Morcom and Symphony Orchestra, directed by Raymond 6 HOLIDAY WEEKEND SHOWS! Mats. 2:40, Evts. 8:40 Thora Is only on CINERAMA I I 1 TONIGHT ItOauCKJt 1:40 SJPeOAl FAROM OONVBHWCI roa Mime hau patkons at OCKaHUJK CMTH ARAM POM P.

J. TO 1MO a. 'PraHM Reckefaaar Caatar Goroge divdc to CoaMsr of Ataalc HoN aaK Offfca for voliaatioa. MATS. TOaVW SAT.

SVN. AT J.W Pktw U5, 4:24. 7.23, 10,20 State Showi 12:32, 3:32, 6.3J. Mi' Ooora Opea Friday 10)00 At Ak'.