like the son of another famous universal monster and this third entry in the series ( not count the 1931 spanish dracula ) be a solid film all round represent marvelous atmosphere and grip narrative and superb handling . watch this soon after the return of the vampire ( 1943 ) and it be easy to discern the difference a talented film maker can do ( a robert siodmak certainly be ) a oppose to a journeyman director like lew lander . siodmak give the film a distinctly noir ish feel and a oppose to the more traditional gothic look represent apart from the standard shadowy lighting and we get louise albritton a a femme fatale and robert paige a the brooding hero . the film musty southern set ought not to work but it do somehow and for how can one deny the effectiveness of dracula jr. coffin rise from the depth of a swamp while indeed and substitute his castle in transylvania with an equally gloomy and mysterious southern mansion be an inspired touch . much have be say of chaney inappropriateness for the part represent well and i like him overall and he be quite effective in his various confrontation with paige ( particularly during the climax and one of the best in the universal canon ) or vampire hunter j. edward bromberg and frank craven while he may not look like a lady man but then lugosi himself be past his prime in the return of the vampire . the rest of the cast be ably fill as well represent paige and albritton be unusually animate although and admittedly and their role aren not those of the typical universal lead while bromberg make a fine van helsing surrogate and craven be equally good a the practical town doctor suddenly come face to face with the supernatural while evelyn ankers and samuel s. hind role be subsidiary one and certainly straightforward in comparison but their presence in such film be always welcome .