Prop detectives...DRACULA 1931 medallion, what is it??

[ob1al]

Never defined, as far as I know.

A classic piece from a classic movie...but what is it?







Suggestions I've heard are a Hungarian medal which belonged to Lugosi or a piece from the Universal prop dept.

I'd love to figure out what it actually is, or at the very least get some much better reference pics in order to recreate the piece.

RPF prop detectives...can we track this long-elusive prop down? Who's up for the challenge?

Al

 

[Gilmortar]

Well, after looking a little bit, I was looking at Pre WW1 Austro-Hungarian Medals and came across this one:

http://www.diggerhistory.info/pages-medals/austria.htm

At around the bottom you will see the Hungarion Merit Order/Star of the Grand Cross.

While this doesn't seem to be the EXACT same as Lugosi is wearing there, i think it puts you in a better idea of what it could be. Seems to be a possble war medal, or decorative medal.

 

[ob1al]

I think we are barking up the right tree there...

Some of those look pretty close, although not exact.

I believe we are looking for a medal with crescent and star motifs on the six points.

Folklore has it that Lugosi was buried wearing the 1931 medallion, but I think is not true. By all accounts, the medal he wore to the grave was similar, but more elaborate and somewhat larger than the 1931 piece.

 

[ob1al]

Here's another medal which is fairly close, but not correct:

 

[Cheeflet]

found this doing a google search

would be a neat repro to have

 

[ob1al]

Great find Cheeflet!

That's the best reference pic I have seen to date.

 

[ob1al]

Here's that same pic tweaked a little to show more of the detail on the middle section:

 

[ob1al]

More pics sourced from the interwebs:







The middle section looks to an engraving of a mountain with the moon (sun?) above it.

The five "points" seem to be floral in design with a pentagram in the center.

I've scoured the net for austro-hungarian medals but turned up nothing of interest so far.

There's probably enough reference here now to make a fairly accurate replica, but I'd still love to know what the piece actually was/is...

 

[ManDrawsPicture]

I've recently finished this prop reproduction of the iconic Dracula/Lugosi medallion.

Contact me at carl@mandrawspicture.com for more details.

 

[Apollo]

Looks great but you are not allowed to post a for sale thread here.

You will get your junkyard privilages in 45 days.

 

[Mike J.]

The crescent moon and star motif strongly suggests a Turkish or Ottoman origin.

A quick Google image search shows similar medals, but no exact match.

It may have been something the prop shop put together.


-Mike J.

 

[ManDrawsPicture]

Yes, the screen-used prop is most certainly a fictional amalgamation of founds bits and pieces as opposed to an officially issued military medal or the like.

To my knowledge, there has never been a remotely accurate 1:1 reproduction of this prop offered anywhere . . . hence my effort.

I hope people enjoy it. Especially if you own one of those amazing Sideshow Dracula/Lugosi busts . . . this would be the "Pièce de résistance"!