Dracula Ring

ProfGriffin · 20th July 2001, 09:38 PM

Dear Mr. Lee.

I am quite honored to be posting a question that you may answer. I have been a fan of yours for many years and always enjoy your tremendous work. My question is in regards to the Dracula ring that you wore in your performances in the later Hammer films. In particular, Dracula AD 1972. With the greatest respect, I realize your feelings on this film are mixed,..but could you tell me if the ring that your wore on that film was the same ring once owned and worn by Bela Lugosi? The same ring, I believe, is currently on the hand of Famous Monsters Magazine creator Forrest J. Ackerman.
If it is the same ring,..how did you come about using it for the
film(s)? Thank you for your time and once again, thank you for your talent and the hours of enjoyment you've brought me.

Juan Aneiros · 23rd July 2001, 02:06 AM

This is an interesting question and is best if Mr Lee gives the full answer himself. It may be some time before he is able to, with the wedding coming up not much free time. I might be wrong, but as far as I know it is was the real thing. That ring maybe now in the hands of a German fan, again not 100% sure.

Only a matter of time bofore we get the full story, expect some answers after the 15th of next month when we are back.

I could always ask him by phone, but I think is better to get the answer by video.

NightTide · 26th July 2001, 02:40 AM

I think I might be able to answer your question regarding the ring worn by Mr. Lee in his Dracula films. It is actually an exact replica of the original, given to Mr. Lee by Mr. Ackerman. Mr. Ackerman still has the original, which has been worn previously by Bela Lugosi & John Carradine, among others, in their stage and film appearances as the thirsty Count. Hope that helps a bit! Cheers.

**Domenick Fraumeni** · 2nd August 2001, 04:46 AM

Actually,bit of sad news here. Forry doesn't have the ring anymore. Apparently, it slipped off of his finger during a parade in Dallas a year or 2 back. And he's definitely looking for it.

NightTide · 2nd August 2001, 04:12 PM

Actually, Forry didn't lose the ring. It was eventually found and is now housed at his home in Hollywood.

ProfGriffin · 2nd August 2001, 06:14 PM

Thank goodness.

All is right with the world.

I've had the incredible pleasure of wearing Forry's
Dracula ring when he came to Austin, Texas
as a special guest for a drive-in festival
we held at a local art house theatre.

Prior to that, I attended the great famous Monsters
convention in Arlington and met this famous and
facinating man.

Sincerely,

Prof. Griffin

PS: Still would love to know for certain waht happened to
Mr. Lee's replica ring (if it was a replica) and if Mr. Lee
has any memories of the ring. (Did Hammer do a lot of publicity on it? etc...)

**Domenick Fraumeni** · 3rd August 2001, 09:38 AM

Wonderful news! See, that's what happens when I hermit for a time and miss staff meetings :).

Carmen and Greg · 10th August 2001, 03:21 AM

In the bonus disc, THE MANY FACES OF CHRISTOPHER LEE, which arrived with the SCARS OF DRACULA DVD, Mr Lee shows us the Dracula ring (which, he tells us, is indeed a duplicate of the Lugosi one).

THE MANY FACES... was filmed in 1995, I believe, so I would imagine Mr Lee still has this ring in his possession.

Carmen :)

**Paul Williams** · 25th November 2008, 01:55 AM

From what i have learnt recently,the ring Bela Lugosi gave to Forrest J Ackerman,and from which the mould for Mr Lee's Dracula Ring was made,was from the movie: Abbot and Costello Meet Dracula.
The original 1931 Dracula movie,used,what appears to be a totally different ring.The ring in the original 1931 Dracula movie,appears to be a simple black onyx stone,with no design on it at all.Because there is no reference to this original black onyx ring,it is assumed it was a personal Possession of Bela Lugosi,who brought it to the film set from his home,along with the medallion he wore around his neck.
The cape Forrest J Ackerman has,is also,either from the movie: Abbot and Costello Meet Dracula,or,as most people agree,from the movie: Plan 9 From Outer Space.

**David Pecchia** · 25th November 2008, 02:09 AM

The cape Forry Ackerman owns is from Plan 9 from Outer Space, and wasn't really a cape but an overcoat. Bela Jr. owns one of the two capes used in Dracula 1931 and the other Bela was buried in. A guy named Todd, owns the cape from Abbott and Costello meet Frankenstein. The ring was supplied from Lugosi but the medallion I read was custom made for the film and Bela Jr. owns that also. The Dracula ring Forry owns was worn by Bela for mostly publicity shots and was worn by Bela in Abbott and Costello meet Frankenstein.

**Bill Petersen** · 25th November 2008, 07:01 AM

My main man Bela Lugosi lost or pawned just about anything valuable that he had after his wife Lilly divorced him in the early 1950's.... After Bela Lugosi completed the 1948 film "A & C Meet Franky" from Universal Studios, the Horror film genre seemingly went to hell, along with Lugosi's film career... Bela Lugosi was pretty much broke and cleaned out the last few years of his life... But, I don't feel sorry for him... Bela had a knack of living the good life in the 1930's and 40's, and he spent money as fast as he earned it... Lotsa' old-time actors didn't properly prepare for the "Aging" or "Downfall" process that occurs in every day life.... Well, Bela Lugosi was no different....

MR.BILL

P.S.

The Ed Wood movies paid Bela Lugosi "Booze" and "Soup" money... Them films were bad and Lugosi was starving to stay afloat by doing anything.... Plus, the Sci-Fi generation was not interested in Lugosi, who was in his 70's at the time....

**David Pecchia** · 26th November 2008, 12:12 AM

I also read that Bela had his funeral paid for by Frank Sinatra.....

**Bill Petersen** · 26th November 2008, 12:22 AM

The 1994 film ED WOOD was great.... Martin Landau and Johnny Depp did an awesome job.... I have this on Video....

Forrest J. Ackerman is like 92 yrs old these days.... How much time has he got? Enjoy him while you can..... He's a great guy....

MR.BILL
USA

**Paul Williams** · 17th December 2008, 11:23 PM

I have just received my Christopher Lee Dracula Ring,that i purchased from this website.Juan was kind enough to sign the authenticity document.... Thank You Juan!

It is an absolute superb piece of memorabilia,and looks incredible when viewed under a magnifying glass.The box it arrived in is a unique 3D hexagon type design,of clear hard plastic.The 3D hexagon type shape of the box,allows the owner to view the ring,as it is safely inside,but also,magnifies the ring at all the crucial viewing angles.magnificent idea to encase the ring inside that box.I am very small,and my hands are very small also,so i was very surprised to find the ring fitted immediately on my finger.It has a gap on the ring band,so enabling large fingered people to adjust it to fit their fingers perfectly.
I am really pleased with the ring and my purchase of it.I would like to thank Mr Lee,for allowing this ring to be made available to buy.It is THE most precious treasure i possess,and i will cherish it eternally.
Thank you so very much Mr Lee.

**David Pecchia** · 18th December 2008, 12:39 AM

Well, after reading this post, I am a bit disapointed with my purchase now. With my purchase (and received a few emails from other members asking how mine was packaged) feel a little "left out" so to speak. My ring, as well as many others I am sure were sent in a little cardboard tube with the certificate rolled up. My question is....how come the shipping way was changed? Sounds pretty neato.........