Raymond Huntley
April 23, 1904–October 19, 1990
Raymond Huntley portrayed Dracula in its West End debut. He reprised the role on the American stage. He enjoyed a long career on stage, screen and TV. His film career stretched from 1934-1974, and included Rembrandt (1937), with Charles Laughton, The Ghost Train (1941), Passport To Pimlico (1949), The Green Man (1956), The Mummy (1959), and Young Winston (1972).
On the English Stage
1927
February 14-July 23, 1927
The Little Theatre, West End
The Times February 7, 1927
A dramatic version of Mr. Bram Stoker’s Dracula, by Mr. Hamilton Deane, is to be presented at the Little Theatre next Monday.
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The Times February 10, 1927
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The Daily Mirror, February 11, 1927
Herewith, one of the very few photographs of the late Bram Stoker, who, besides being Sir Henry Irving’s manager for years, was an industrious novelist. As I have already said, a dramatic version of his most famous book, ‘Dracula,’ is to be done at he Little on Monday, and the scene of the Grand Guignol plays is appropriate, for the new piece, I hear, is so full of gruesome thrills that, in the provinces women having been carried fainting from the auditorium. Truly we take our pleasure sadly.
The dramatic adaptation is by Hamilton Deane, whose grandfather, Colonel Deane, and the Rev. Abraham Stoker, Bram’s father, lived on adjoining estates in County Dublin. Young Bram and Hamilton Deane’s mother, then a young girl, were great friends. Stoker had the book ‘Dracula’ in his mind, and the young people used to discuss its possibilities. Strange that it should be young Hamilton Deane who has dramatized the book and brought the play to London.
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Programme for February 14, 1927
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The Times, February 15, 1927
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Programme for Thursday, February 24, 1927
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Programme for Wednesday, March 2, 1927
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The Argus (Melbourne), March 19, 1927
In relation to modern plays, “vampire” usually means a woman suffering from acute Hollywood fever. A Vampire of the earlier supernatural kind was the chief character in Bram Stoker’s sensational novel “Dracula.” A play founded on the book has been successful on tour for some time in Great Britain, and it is now being brought to London. For Many years Stoker was Sir Henry Irving’s business manager. He wrote several novels, none quite as enthralling as “Dracula,” and a breezy book of memories.
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Western Mail (Perth), March 24, 1927
A dramatic version of Bram Stoker’s famous novel of the weird and terrifying, “Dracula,” has been produced with success in London.
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Singleton Argus (NSW), March 25, 1927
TOO REALISTIC
A London message states that the hysterics of a woman in the stalls at the conclusion of the first act, held up the vampire play “Dracula,” at the Little Theatre for half-an-hour. Four other women fainted.
A doctor and a trained nurse attend all performances owing to the frequency of patrons’ prostration.
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Programme from June, 1927
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The Times, June 2, 1927
Dracula, which is still running at the Little Theatre, will be produced in New York on September 7 with Mr. Bernard Jukes in the part he is now playing in London.
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The Times July 18, 1927
Other productions soon to be withdrawn are Dracula, which ends a very successful run at the Little on Saturday; ….
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The Times July 21, 1927
THE THEATRES
The Man Responsible, now running at the Royalty, will be transferred to the Little Theatre.
To make way for it, Dracula will leave the Little Theatre on Saturday and next Monday will be transferred to the Duke of York’s, where the farce, Newly Divorced, was withdrawn last Saturday after a run.
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July 25-August 27, 1927
The Duke of York Theatre, West End
The Times July 27, 1927
“DRACULA” TRANSFERRED.
After having run at the Little Theatre for some months, Dracula, Mr. Hamiton Deane’s version of Mr. Bram Stoker’s novel, was transferred on Monday night to the Duke of York’s Theatre, where a larger audience can watch the blood-curdlings adventures if this rather old-fashioned vampire. Mr. Sam Liversey is now playing the part of van Helsing, first taken by Mr. Deane, and makes him an interesting figure.
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The Times August 4, 1927
Dracula at the Duke of York’s Theatre will reach its 200th performance on Saturday. Mr. Raymond Huntley has rejoined the cast to play his original part of Count Dracula.
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The Times, August 22, 1927
THE THEATRES.
NEW PRODUCTIONS TO-NIGHT
Dracula, which is at present running at the Duke of York’s Theatre, will be transferred next Monday to the Prince of Wales Theatre, where it will succeed the musical comedy The Blue Train. Its place at the Duke of York’s will be taken on September 1 by The Beloved Vagabond, the musical version of Mr. W.J. Locke’s novel, in which Miss Lillian Davies, Mr. Frederick Ranalow, and Miss Mabel Russell will appear.
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Raymond Huntley & Dora Mary Patrick
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Date Unknown
The Grand Theatre, Leeds
On The American Stage
1928
When a revised version of Dracula by John L. Balderstone was produced for the American stage, Raymond Huntley was producer Horace Liveright’s first choice for the role of Dracula. Dissatisfied with the $150 per week offered by Liveright, Huntley turned down the role, paving the way for Bela Lugosi’s casting. Huntley was later persuaded to appear in touring productions of Dracula covering the East Coast and the Midwest from 1928-1930.
October 1-20, 1928
Hollis Theatre, Boston
(Cutting courtesy of Dracula researcher Andy Struthers)
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Raymond Huntley autograph signed during Dracula’s run at the Hollis Theatre.
(Cutting courtesy of Dracula researcher Andy Struthers)
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October 22-27, 1928
Werba’s Brooklyn Theatre, Brooklyn, New York
Brooklyn Life, October 20, 1928
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November 12 – ?, 1928
Broad Street Theatre, Philadelphia
Plays and Players, December 3, 1928
1929
January 28-February 2, 1929
Werba’s Brooklyn Theatre, Brooklyn, New York
Brooklyn Life, January 26, 1929
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Standard Union, January 29, 1929
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February 25-30, 1929
Werba’s Flatbush Theatre, Brooklyn, New York
Brooklyn Life, February 23, 1929
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March 4-9, 1929
Boulevard Theatre, Queens, New York
Brooklyn Life, February 23, 1929
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March 31-?, 1929
Blackstone Theatre, Chicago
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March 11-?, 1929
Nixon Theatre, Pittsburgh
The Pittsburgh Press March 10, 1929
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The Pittsburgh Press March 10, 1929
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The Pittsburgh Press March 12, 1929
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The Pittsburgh Press March 16, 1929
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The Pittsburgh Press March 17, 1929
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May 5-?, 1929
Blackstone Theatre, Chicago
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October 28-November 2, 1929
Werber’s Brooklyn Theatre, Brooklyn, New York
Brooklyn Life, October 26, 1929
1930
January 13-18, 1930
Lyceum, Rochester
Rochester Evening Journal and the Post Express, January 11, 1930
Although the photo caption states “The cruel gentleman is George Hasely in “Dracula,” opening Monday at the Temple,” Dracula was in fact portrayed by Raymond Huntley at the Lyceum
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Rochester Evening Journal and Post Express, January 11, 1930
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Rochester Evening Journal and Post Express, January 13, 1930
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Rochester Evening Journal and Post Express, January 14, 1930
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Rochester Evening Journal and Post Express, January 18, 1930
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January 20-25, 1930
Werba’s Jamaica Theatre, Long Island, New York
Long Island Daily Press, January 11, 1930
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Long Island Daily Press, January 18, 1930
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Long Island Daily Press, January 21, 1930
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February 10-22, 1930
Broad Street Theatre
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February 24-29, 1930
Werba’s Flatbush Theatre
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Brooklyn Life, February 22, 1930
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Boulevard Theatre
The Daily Star, Queens Borough, March 4, 1930
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