No Traveler Returns: The Lost Years of Bela Lugosi

Bela Lugosi was a workhorse. If any actor can be cited for his devotion to his craft it's this beloved Hungarian thespian. Gary D. Rhodes and Bill Kaffenberger have provided a look into Lugosi's `Lost Years' and have not only filled in considerable untapped gaps in the actor's career but also have cleared up some misinformation about the man which has been bandied about for many decades. Mr. Lugosi, of course, has been associated with the venerable vampire, Dracula, since his Broadway debut of the character in 1927. But, why, one may wonder, is Lugosi's Dracula the standard that first pops to mind when speaking of Bram Stoker's famous bloodsucker? After all, Lugosi only portrayed Dracula twice on the silver screen (`Dracula' [1931] and `Abbott and Costello meet Frankenstein [1948]) he played a phony vampire in `Mark of the Vampire' (1935) and a different vampire in the 1943 WWII themed, `Return of the Vampire'. These four films helped to promote Lugosi's Dracula image no doubt. But, after reading this book it's easy to extrapolate from this book's information that the main reason for the Lugosi/Dracula connection is that Lugosi was up front and personal with so many people while performing his Dracula character in stock companies and Spook Shows from coast to coast. Following WWII, Lugosi's film opportunities diminished so, in order to provide income for his family and to satisfy his love of performing, he hit the road visiting big cities and rural America with stage productions of `Arsenic and Old Lace' and his classic `Dracula - The Vampire Play'. Later on, he did his Dracula schtick in Horror, Magic and Spook Show venues. This book is filled with wonderful moments of Lugosi and his wife interacting with the local folk at the various towns he would be performing in. There were, therefore, many opportunities for the average citizen to get a live experience from Mr. Lugosi. From the late forties on through the early fifties it wasn't unusual to find an ad in a local paper announcing a play or show starring Bela `Dracula' Lugosi. So, it's no wonder that Lugosi and Dracula have become wedded in the minds of millions - especially to the old timers from the post WWII era and the baby boomers who followed them. Thanks to the rise of televised media and the monster craze of the 50s/60s Lugosi has been firmly ensconced as Dracula Emeritus.I came late to being a Lugosi fan. I remember watching his thrillers on television in the early 1960s for the first time and I became enthralled with his persona - his movements and that wonderful accented voice of his captured me at once. I still glean pleasure from watching him in films like `Voodoo Man' and `The Devil Bat'. One of my favorite chapters in this book is regarding Lugosi's Spook Shows. I was soiling my diapers at the time he was creeping out audiences so I never had an opportunity to see him perform live. But, what a thrill it would have been to see, and possibly, meet him. I'm envious of those persons who had that privilege.Also, this book importantly shows that Lugosi was not the pathetic figure many articles in the past have made him out to be. Though he may have preferred a continued success in motion pictures, his plays and spook shows were well received and yielded good box office and a handsome salary for his talents.For years, a negative remembrance from film historian, William K. Everson, regarding a Lugosi show he attended, has often been cited as to how `wretched' Lugosi's life and career had fallen. Well, maybe he caught the show on a bad night because evidence found in the local papers of the day and the testimonies of the local people who attended Lugosi's various plays and shows are contrary to Mr. E's evaluation.I recall reading years ago several interviews with Boris Karloff and whenever he was asked about Lugosi, Karloff would frequently use the phrase `Poor Bela'. I'm confident that Mr. Karloff had no intent of condescension or disrespect to his fellow actor, but I think there were many that, wrongly, took it that way and it may have contributed to solidifying an image of Lugosi as being an impoverished and washed up performer. He wasn't. And, as you'll see from this excellent book, though Lugosi had many troubles in his career and personal life (particularly in his final years), one still finds a very loving, caring and highly professional man who cherished his family, friends, fans and acting.This book comes highly recommended to all persons everywhere - one doesn't have to be a Lugosi fan to enjoy this journey. In addition to the fine research done by the authors, this book contains lots of photos (many new to public) and lots of newspaper ads heralding Lugosi's many live shows.In fact, after you have traveled this book once - you may belie the title and return for another read through.

I've been a fan of Bela Lugosi since I was a child. I've read most of the books about him, so when I first saw this book i wondered just how much unpublished information there could be in it. I was pleasantly surprised! It covers the so-called 'lost' years of the actor, after his heyday in Hollywood, and his activities in live theater and summer stock.The authors have written a very readable book about those lost years. With great scholarship that no doubt took a lot of legwork and effort, they have organized the lost years into an interesting narrative that gives Lugosi fans yet more glimpses into his life. A great read, very interesting, recommended.Having said that, I must mention a purely personal complaint of this book. That is, the size of the font used in the printing is very small, at least for my old tired eyes. This sure didn't stop me from reading the book and despite this complaint I still must give it 5 stars. But it would have been even more enjoyable if the size of the font were larger. I do not know how the size of a font is decided upon by a publisher, or the reasonings behind the decision. If this book were available in kindle format, there would be no complaint at all (hint hint)

Have been ready this book every night! So many rare photos included. Great for any Lugosi fan!!

This aspect of Bela Lugosi's career, when this magnetic performer was past his prime, may not seem to yield much of interest, but the authors have done an excellent job of unearthing some fascinating information. Lugosi was largely away from the silver screen but he was working feverishly, zig-zagging across America doing stage work, trying to position himself for a Broadway comeback, and maintaining his poise and dignity as he dealt with personal and professional decline.There is much of interest for the Lugosiphile; my favorite chapter deals with the speculation that Lugosi's career was impacted by being blacklisted (as many actors were during the late '40's). Buy this well researched book to read the author's conclusions.

One might have thought that after the Cremer book there aren't any new discoveries to be made about Lugosi. Well, one was wrong. Rhodes' book provides a wide array of new information about him and his vaudville years in a post-horror-movie, pre-TV era. A must read for Lugosi fans.

Well researched and written, this book does just what is says it will; it tells the story of Lugosi's career final stages.It is both a sad picture and a tribute to the man's will to continue for those of us who admire Lugosi it's a bittersweet read.Well done, the best Lugosi book in 30 years.

great

Great purchase. Husband was thrilled when he opened it. He thought it was a great gift and couldn't wait to see what his other presents were.

Regardless of the book's content, I purchased it new from Amazon and it came in a vanilla envelope. The cover was creased, folded in half. Sorely disappointed with Amazon. Will start supporting local businesses more.This book is a supplement to the Lugosi biographies. It adds context to the character Bela embodied. The theatre is of particular interest in these formative lost years. Start with Arthur Leming's Immortal Count, take a detour to the YouTube interviews, and end here.