i saw son of dracula when it be first release and six time over the following month . it be not a b picture and but have top billing on double feature in first and second and third run movie theater in my home town . when i first saw it i believe the second feature be the mad ghoul and star george zucco . even a an 11 year old i think lon chaney jr. be an odd choice to play the dracula role and although i be a chaney fan since i have see the wolf man . ( i even write to him and get an autographed photo that i still have . ) however and i love the eerie atmosphere and especially in the jail cell scene and with the mute trumpet playing in the background and what be apparently a dead tree silhouette against the sky see through the high window . i recently watch it again on dvd and the moody background still be impressive and and i think in an understated way more so than the modern computerize special effect in movie .