Dracula is released across the USA February 14, 1931.

USPS Bela Lugosi as Dracula /
Classic Movie Monsters
Released Sept. 30, 1997
Artist: Thomas Blackshear

The antithesis of Valentine’s Day, Dracula, was released February 14, 1931. Bela Lugosi appeared as Count Dracula. Lugosi’s portrayal of the Count went on to become a cinema classic and unfortunately typecasting him forever. The premier occurred 2 days prior in NYC, too much fanfare and a bit of public hysteria. It was reported, in the papers, that women fainted from fright, in the aisles. Whether this actually happened or was a brilliantly concocted publicity stunt by Universal Studios is up for speculation. However, it succeeded in driving up ticket sales. By the time the film opened on the 14th, 50,000 tickets had been sold.  Dracula was Universals most successful release that year. 

Lugosi was not Universal’s original choice for the lead. They first hired Lon Chaney, but he died a month before filming started. Upon his death, they cast Lew Ayres and then recast him in another role. From there Robert Ames and then David Manners were cast and then recast in different films/roles.  In the end, it was decided Manners would be better as Johathon Harker, which once again, left the studio with a film and no lead actor. 

So how did Lugosi finally land the roll? By being in the right place at the right time:

Lugosi, who was in Los Angeles playing Dracula on the stage at the time, learned of this casting turmoil and lobbied hard for the part. When the actor agreed to a meager salary of $500 per week of filming, he was cast in the titular role. The Making of DRACULA (1931) – Cinema Scholars

Filming took 36 days and made Lugosi a household name. After filming ended, Lugosi, unimpressed with the film and the role vowed to never play Dracula again.

“No! Not at any price. When I’m through with this picture I hope to never hear of Dracula again. I cannot stand it…I do not intend that it shall possess me.” Bela Lugosi when asked if he’d play Dracula again. 

Bela relented 17 years later and played Dracula once more for the 1948 film Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein.  
If you’d like to read more about Dracula check out A tale of two Draculas – Romania & Ireland take on the myth.