Mr. Lee's cape on display at the Dracula Experience

**David Pecchia** · 23rd April 2008, 09:16 PM

I was doing some online research into Mr. Lee's Dracula cape from Dracula (1958). It was going for auction April 5-6 but was pushed back until October 2008. This lead me to do some research on his cloak that is on display from they say his 2nd Dracula appearance which would be, Dracula, Prince of Darkness, at the Dracula Experience in Whitby. It states that this cloak was 56 kilos, which is roughly 123-124 pounds. My main question is, how uncomfortable could that have been for Mr. Lee to wear?? I could not imagine wearing a garment so heavy. I was wondering if it was a misprint and maybe 5.6 kilos which would be a little over 12 pounds, that sounds a bit more reasonable. For anyone here on the CW that reads this and have visited the Dracula Experience if they have any photos from the exhibit and of his Dracula cape that is on display, I would love to see them. Thank you.

~David Pecchia

**Aaron Singh** · 8th June 2008, 03:09 AM

Hi David, sorry no one was able to help you on this one. The cape does seem a little heavy, but hey, Christopher Lee has been known to suffer for his art (he even fractured a leg once whilst filming Dracula didn't he?). I heard the cape in Whitby has been used to authenticate other capes supposedly from his films. Here's a picture from the one displayed in Planet Hollywood, London - I was well pleased when I found it in a corner, made the meal price worth it :)

**George Bauch** · 8th June 2008, 03:58 AM

Great photo, Aaron! About the cape being heavy, I once heard they sewed weights into the hem so that when he walked it would billow correctly, like a bat fluttering along in the night!

**David Pecchia** · 9th June 2008, 10:18 PM

Hi. Thank you so much for posting that pic. Do you have any others? Maybe one that shows a better view from the top or eye level? That is a nice shot.

~Thank you
David.

**Laura Foulkes** · 2nd October 2008, 11:39 AM

Re: Mr Lees cape on display at Whitby.
I as a Dracula Fanatic have been to Whitby 3 times!
I went in The Dracula Expericnce twice, very scary! i have Seen Mr Lee's Cape on display cool that i was so close to such a 'preious' object of Mr Lee's career. the sign by it does say the Weight you have said, it must have been hard work for Mr Lee, One playing Dracula need almost Supernatural strength!
Laura Foulkes

**Steve Thompson** · 2nd October 2008, 10:49 PM

Hello Laura. I went to Whitby for a day out not so long ago, and paid a visit to the museum, but was slightly disappointed with the way in which the cape was displayed (inside a small cabinet, fronted with glass). I also had my doubts about its authenticity, but I would love to be proved wrong.
All the best.

**David Pecchia** · 11th October 2008, 03:14 AM

If anyone else gets to the Dracula Experience, please try to take a few pictures of the cape and plaque on the wall. I would love to see more pics. I got a close up of the capes fabric and it looks to have lines in it. The cape in DPOD did not have lines it was more like a soft fuzzy 100% wool. Please.....someone get some pics.....

~Thanks,
David Pecchia

**Brandon Jones** · 20th November 2008, 06:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David Pecchia

If anyone else gets to the Dracula Experience, please try to take a few pictures of the cape and plaque on the wall. I would love to see more pics. I got a close up of the capes fabric and it looks to have lines in it. The cape in DPOD did not have lines it was more like a soft fuzzy 100% wool. Please.....someone get some pics.....

~Thanks,
David Pecchia

Hmm...some of the capes I've seen in other films I've worked on have never been remotely that heavy. Even the Batman capes (the leather ones) weren't even half that weight. Must be a misprint as you thought!

**David Pecchia** · 20th November 2008, 11:51 PM

That might not be a misprint. I have read that Mr. Lee's cloaks were weighted. They had lead weights sewn into the bottom hem which can make it heavy. The outer is a medium-heavy weight wool, add a heavy lining and lead weights.....you could get very heavy. I own the cape used in Scars of Dracula. It is a heavy heavy garment but doesn't feel as heavy as the Dracula Experience claims. I am going to have it weighed now......