The Brides Of Dracula (1960)

Starring Peter Cushing, Martita Hunt, Yvonne Monlaur, Freda Jackson, David Peel
Directed by Terence Fisher
(actor & director credits courtesy IMDB.com)

After she unknowingly frees a vampire from his mother's chateau, a French student-teacher accidentally unleashes him on her school, but an intrepid vampire hunter is on his trail.

We have here a sequel in name only for the most part to 1958's Horror Of Dracula, as while Cushing most welcomely returns as Dr. Van Helsing, Christopher Lee's Dracula is replaced by Peel, presumably a vampiric victim of the undead Count.  So although we don't have the clash of Cushing and Lee to look forward to again, Peel acquits himself admirably, even if he won't make anyone forget Christopher Lee.  However, there's still plenty of action for Cushing's vampire hunter to engage in, and Monlaur makes a lovely victim for Peel's Baron Meinster, with a sweet persona, an attractive accent, and vivid wide-open eyes of fright when captured in closeup.  Malcolm Williamson's score doesn't compare with James Bernard's in the previous film, but it is still finely structured, and offers a rousing noble theme for Cushing's Van Helsing I very much enjoyed.  Between cinematographer Jack Asher and production designer Bernard Robinson, there's a striking color scheme on display, also making this film wonderful to look at.  Director Fisher balances the action and suspense marvelously, and gets good performances out of his actors.  Lee's presence is definitely missed, but this film is still a favorite of mine.