MovieChat Forums > Love at First Bite (1979) Discussion > A couple of questions about LAFB...

A couple of questions about LAFB...

posted 16 years ago by stevenbyczek
4 replies | jump to latest

Dr. Rosenberg claims that his grandfather was the famous Professor Van Helsing who tried to drive a stake trough the heart of Dracula. However, he also says his grandfather's first name was Fritz. Not to be picky, but in Bram Stoker's novel: "Dracula", and in most movie versions of the novel, Van Helsing's first name was Abraham. Did they change Van Helsing's first name to Fritz for this version of "Dracula", or was Fritz a relative (son, brother, uncle, cousin, etc.) of Abraham?

Also, is Renfield supposed to be immortal like Dracula in this version? He mentions that he gave Dracula a glass case for his birthday several centuries ago. In Bram Stoker's novel: "Dracula", and in most movie versions of the novel, Renfield is a British lunatic who lives in Dr. Seward's asylum, and eventually comes under the influence of Dracula. He was not a full fledged vampire like Dracula, nor was he immortal like him. However, in this version, at the beginning of the story, Renfield lived with his master at Castle Dracula in Romania. Was he supposed to be a bona fide member of the undead who lived for centuries like the Count?

Thank you in advance!

Cheers!

Sincerely, Steve B.

[–] the_iron_sun 16 years ago

I have no idea where Fritz Van Helsing came from. I assume he's from this movie's "universe," as a character by that name doesn't make an appearance anywhere else.

As for Renfield, perhaps he's a ghoul as opposed to a vampire or normal human. How a vampire makes a ghoul varies from story to story. Ghouls typically aren't as smart or powerful as vampires but they are immortal. Usually they're like zombies. Two examples of ghoul-like characters who are vampire servants, but are actually intelligent with full motor capabilities, are Roger from the SAINT-GERMAIN novels and Vallov from the webcomic VAMPIRE PHANTASM.

Another thing I've noticed is that while Dracula is usually the same as Vlad the Impaler born in 1431, in this film Dracula mentions being 700 years old. *shrug*

[–] stevenbyczek 16 years ago

You are right, "the iron sun"...Van Helsing's first name was Fritz in this "Dracula universe", and Renfield was probably a ghoul. Immortal like Dracula, but not as powerful as a vampire.

Thanks again!

Cheers!

Sincerely, Steve B.

[–] stevenackerman69 15 years ago

Yeah, I wondered about that too about Van Helsing. Maybe they changed it for this film. I have noticed that in different plays of Dracula they do change a few names, like Mina Murray becomes Mina Steward or in one version, Lucy is Dracula's love interest, not Mina. The Renfield thing is another changed thing.

[–] millsey72 (10666) 3 years ago

Why work up a sweat trying to come up with answers? I just claim its a plot hole and move on to the next movie. See how easy that is