Unearthing Dracula - Airs Oct 17th

Unearthing Dracula from WFIU
Vampires have captured our collective imagination for generations -- from early-18th century folklore, to Count Yorga, to chocolaty cereal and beloved Sesame Street characters. The subject has been continually visited in literature since Heinrich Ossenfelde's 1748 poem "The Vampire" and John Polidor's novel "The Vampyre" in 1819. And they have long been a staple of the silver screen too, with the first appearance of "Nosferatu" in 1922. It is, however, Bela Lugosi's iconic and oft-mimicked portrayal in 1931 with his cape, tuxedo, widow's peak, and thick Hungarian accent that instantly comes to mind when we hear the name Dracula. But who is the real Dracula? Is it, in fact, Vlad Tepes? To learn more, producer Annie Corrigan interviews Jeff Holdeman, Senior Lecturer in the Department of Slavic Languages and Literatures at Indiana University. They examine the films, literature, music, and art all attempting to construct an image of this eerie, yet elusive, character who has become so deeply embedded in our culture.

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