Mr. Lee in Lolita

**Mike Schneider** · 8th February 2005, 04:33 PM

I looked through the Authorized Sceen History of Christopher Lee but couldn't find any mention of Mr. Lee in the great Kubrick film "Lolita". I saw the film years ago but completely forgot about the drive-in scene when James Mason was sitting between Shelly Winters and Sue Lyon. The film that was frightening the females was none other than the "Curse of Frankenstein".

Just one more reason to enjoy this classic film.

**Andrés Verdú** · 9th February 2005, 03:52 AM

Hello MikeS,

Yes, surprising that isn't it? And very well spotted! I also remember the scene from Lolita where the drive-in movie screen shows Mr Lee and Mr Cushing in The Curse of Frankenstein. It is one of my favourite moments of the whole film (surprise, surprise!)

I read Jonathan Rigby's book some time back, but I have to admit the omission did not strike me at the time. Flicking back through the pages, though, there is no mention of Lolita anywhere, certainly not that I could find. I searched where the book discusses The Curse of Frankenstein, where it discusses the early 60s (as Lolita is from 1962), the index, even the appendices which have year-by-year listings, etc. No Lolita!

Even though both Mr Lee and Mr Cushing were uncredited in Kubrick's film, they were nevertheless in it, and Rigby should have included it under archive footage (in the section "Appendix II: Other Credits.") It could be an oversight or his part, or perhaps something went wrong at the printers... whatever the case, I am surprised given that it is such a well-known film.

Thanks for that, MikeS:

Kindest regards,

poeraven :)

**Mike Schneider** · 9th February 2005, 05:58 PM

Hello Poeraven,

I guess I found it amusing that Stanley Kubrick would include that scene in the Lolita film. For some reason I seem to remember another film where there was a Hammer Dracula film playing on a television set. I can't place it right now though.

There are a lot of directors and movie people out there that were influenced in one way or another by Hammer. Perhaps Mr. Kubrick liked them too.

I read an article by the cinematographer that worked on Seven and he said when he was growing up the Hammer/Dracula films were very important to him. I believe I read it in American Cinematographer or some mag like that.

I really liked Lolita but now I enjoy it even more with that drive-in scene in it.

MS

littleb · 10th February 2005, 12:07 AM

There is also a clip from "Horror of Dracula" in the film "Cuba", which stars Sean Connery. His character is in some kind of room where the Dracula movie is playing on a TV set in the background. Going to see this film as a Connery fan, I discovered a bonus! (Memory a little fuzzy.. it's been some time since I saw it. And, dear poeraven, I don't think Mr. Rigby mentions it either, but trust me, it's there. I think it's mentioned in the Lee filmography by Miller and Johnson.) :)

**Colin Bushby** · 10th February 2005, 09:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeS

For some reason I seem to remember another film where there was a Hammer Dracula film playing on a television set. I can't place it right now though.

MS

There was a clip on Some Mothers Do Ave 'em

**Mike Schneider** · 11th February 2005, 06:05 AM

Hi Colin,

Thanks for the information. I vaguely remember the series. I even see Michael Crawford was in it.

For some reason I remember it being a Count Yorga film or Vampires by John Carpenter... maybe even that really bad Modern Vampires with Casper Van Dien. But thanks for the additional bit.

Regards-

MS