The Perfect Gentleman Issue 8 - Halloween | Página 8

THE MOST STYLISH VILLAINS
“I bid you welcome,” says Count Dracula
welcoming an unsuspecting guest to his castle in
the 1931 horror film classic “Dracula.” Bela
Lugosi, playing the title character, is formally
dressed in a black tuxedo with white tie, flowing
cape and an ornamental medal that Hollywood
legend says Lugosi provided. Being gracious,
Dracula even offers his guest a glass of “old
wine.” The fact he turns into a vampire and
kills for his blood lust probably ruins the whole
stylish-host vibe he obviously has worked hard
to perfect for his Transylvanian B&B.
Lugosi set the standard for all Draculas to come,
from Christopher Lee’s portrayal of in nine
films (1958-1976) to Frank Langella’s 1979
appearance on both film and stage. George
Hamilton, one of the most stylish men himself,
also walks around modern New York City in a
full penguin suit for his comedic turn as Dracula
in “Love at First Bite” (1979).

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Movie audiences have become used to watching
stylish villains attempt to kill the hero and
wreck havoc on the world. Many of the comic
book baddies have recently cut a dashing figure
on the big screen be it Heath Ledger’s Joker in
“The Dark Knight” or Tom Hiddleston as Loki
in “The Avengers.” It is not easy to look
sophisticated and evil in spandex.
However, one would draw stares, and possibly
cries of fright, if you tried to emulate the
sartorial style those cartoon evil-doers, like the
rough-hewn look of Bane, Batman’s nemesis in
“The Dark Knight Rises.” As a gentleman, it is
not about calling attention to what you are
wearing as would happen if sporting a leather
and rubber mask outside of the San Diego
Comic-con.

By Brian Sheridan

STYLISH GENTLEMAN