Count Dracula and Mr. Ray Bradbury

In Los Angeles, Count Dracula is not forgotten. Not long ago I told ghost stories at the fifth annual awards dinner of the Count Dracula Society, meeting in Hollywood. This admirable association, devoted to the study of Gothic fiction and horror films, was founded chiefly by Mr. Donald Reed and Mrs. Manuel Weltman; originally they meant to establish a Gilbert and Sullivan Society, but they discov- ered that the memory of Dracula is greener in Los Angeles; so they set- tled for the noble vampire. As the most fantastic of cities, Los Angeles is a fitting center for com- memoration of the Gothic romance. Annually the Dracula Society (c/o ’ Mr. Donald Reed, President,

West 54th Street, Los Angeles) pre- sents its Ann Radcliffe awards, bearing the name of the lady author of The Mysteries of Udolpho. This year’s recipient of the award for fic- : ‘ tion was Mr. Au- seine gust Derleth; last year’s, Mr. Ray Bradbury; the year before that, your servant was so honored.

RK

About the Author

Russell Kirk

In Los Angeles, Count Dracula is not forgotten. Not long ago I told ghost stories at the fifth annual awards dinner of the Count Dracula Society, meeting in Hollywood. This admirable association, devoted to the study of Gothic fiction and horror films, was founded chiefly by Mr. Donald Reed and Mrs. Manuel Weltman; originally they meant to establish a Gilbert and Sullivan Society, but they discov- ered that the memory of Dracula is greener in Los Angeles; so they set- tled for the noble vampire. As the most fantastic of cities, Los Angeles is a fitting center for com- memoration of the Gothic romance. Annually the Dracula Society (c/o ’ Mr. Donald Reed, President,

West 54th Street, Los Angeles) pre- sents its Ann Radcliffe awards, bearing the name of the lady author of The Mysteries of Udolpho. This year’s recipient of the award for fic- : ‘ tion was Mr. Au- seine gust Derleth; last year’s, Mr. Ray Bradbury; the year before that, your servant was so honored.