Such a bittersweet role! The real Bela Lugosi never got recognized for his talent and here Martin Landau wins an Oscar for playing him. Brilliant performance and a great tribute! RIP both of them.
I worked with Martin once, and he's was a truly sweet, kind man. They wanted to really cover up his face for "Ed Wood," but he refused, only accepting minimal prosthetics as to not impede his facial expressions. Brilliant.
Yeah that's where the real acting came in by the sound of it having to squint his eyes when he would normally widen them etc. Different hand gestures body language it's not just looking like someone that earns an Oscar.
What's even greater, is that he's not really like Lugosi, but he hits all the peaks of Lugosi's character in an exaggerated way. That's what makes a great actor
Landau was a genius. Tragically underrated in his earlier years but his genius really shined through in his role as Lugosi. Glad he won that Oscar, well deserved.
His performance as Lugosi was an Oscar performance if ever there was one, he totally became Lugosi in every way. Touching and beautifully portrait a man at the end of his time, Lugosi could really act, even in the wonderfully awful wood movies if you want to see what I am talking about put pull the strings into you tube, he is fascinating
No one ever deserved an Oscar MORE than Landau did for his Bela Lugosi in Ed Wood. ... Listening to a Great Actor describe their methods is always fascinating.
When I saw a copy of Ed Wood on a DVD I was totally knocked out by Martin Landau's presentation of the man. Mr. Landau really got under the skin of the man who was probably the most famous movie monster character of all time. What especially struck me about Landau's performance was his mastery of the accent. Both my parents were of Hungarian extraction with my father having grown up on the other side and coming to this country when he was 23, hence his slight accent. In my childhood when my parents went to visit friends in nearby towns many of them were also Hungarians and there is no way for me to forget their way of speaking. Martin Landau in Ed Wood not only captured perfectly the way of speaking English with a Hungarian accent, but even the exact mannerism of their gestures, a truly incredible feat for someone who probably isn't of that nationality. As to the real Bela Lugosi, a family anecdote was that during the Depression my father was a waiter in a Hungarian restaurant in New York City called the Golden Fiddle. Bela was a frequent customer and my father would always converse with him in Hungarian when he was serving at Bela's table. Apparently the back story with Bela Lugosi was that he came to this country as a political refugee in the early 20's. Mr. Lugosi had been trained as an actor, but as it turned out there was little call for classically trained actors with a heavy foreign accent. However, he managed to get roles as a monster quite readily, which made him a lot of money but which he also blew on high living and overly numerous marriages.
In an interview I watched before this one , the issue of the accent and mannerisms and the eyes were central as he and Mr. Lugosi were so different. Mr. Landau would have been most pleased ,humbled and thankful for what you have written here. Thank you.
My Grandfather from Hungry owned a music store in the Yorkville section of Manhattan, Mr. Lugosi spent much time in my Grandfather's store after a good meal and conversation with your father. Small World.
I had the amazing most fortunate opportunity of meeting Martin Landau, at a Ralphs Supermarket, a few yrs back. I commended him on this role, congratulated him on the Oscar. He was the nicest guy. Asked if I was an actor myself. No sir, music is my art. Chatted for minute a took picture with him and split. I didn't want to cause a scene, draw any attention to him so I made it quick. As I started to leave, another couple came over, awestruck as I was, saluted him as well. (He was tall, 6 plus easily) I've met a few celebrity's along the way on the street in Los Angeles. I'll tell you the older ones, just so gracious. I'll never forget it. What a class act. RIP Mr Landau..
John Landau introduced me to the actor Bela Lugosi in Ed-Wood I didn’t know anything about this Lugosi, but he definitely did justice for the actor and made me really feel for him.
So glad he got his Oscar. It's really touching to see an old actor get the role of his life close to the end of his career and that he recognizes it and gets recognized for it.
His looks and mannerisms off to a tea including the voice. He sure deserved the Oscar. Nobody could have done the jon better. Lugosi would have been proud.
He's a wonderful actor, seems very down to earth, and he isn't bad lookin', either! I've seen him over the years in TV (he did Twilight Zone, Outer Limits, etc., back in the early 1960s, before Mission Impossible) and later in movies. He's always given good performances with a humanity and sympathy that are displayed even (to a lesser degree) in his villains. Fascinating to hear him speak; I find him most charming. He surely did deserve his Oscar.
Love Bela. I commemorate his birthday in Oktober every year--I make a Hungarian goulash (I only change the recipe by using mild Hungarian paprika instead of the hot kind, which can blow the top of your head off). I make a pumpkin spice cake also. I don't know if those existed in Hungary in the old days, but i think it kind of fits for Oktober. Bela deserved better than he got, but his performance in "The Wolf Man," though very brief, was a classic performance if there ever was one.
Landau wasn't playing Lugosi....he WAS Lugosi. A superb performance, and that Oscar was richly deserved. Been a fan of the Landau (as I call him) ever since Mission Impossible. Space: 1999, too, of course. Top class actor - too big for TV, really, yet it's the small screen where he made his mark.
What's great about Mr Landau was not only his brilliant performance but his humble attitude about his tough times as an actor. He knew what Lugosi was going through (sans the drug addiction). He put his heart and soul and great talent into this role and it showed. I saw Sam Jackson recently on a talk show berating the fact that he lost his (only) Oscar chance to Mr Landau and he seemed angry and surly without acknowledging the greatness of the performance that Landau gave. Sore loser indeed! Check out Tucker: A Man and His Dream for another great Landau performance
When I first saw "Ed Wood", I didn't recognize Landau and asked myself who was this helluva good actor (I knew him from North by NW, MI, Space). In the scene of the fight with the octopus, I couldn't retain tears.
1994 may just be the best movie year ever, and besides the Best Picture category being stacked, the Best Supporting Actor category was too, including Gary Sinise’s excellent performance as Lt. Dan in Best Picture Forrest Gump, two great performances from Chaz Palminteri in Bullets Over Broadway, and Paul Scofield in Quiz Show (his ‘Your name is mine!’ scene with the also great Ralph Fiennes is arguably the best scene in a tremendous film), and of COURSE the utterly iconic, legendary, career-making performance by Samuel L. Jackson in Pulp Fiction. The proof that the late Martin Landau absolutely crushed his performance is that, while I’d likely have voted for Jackson if I had a vote, I can’t be upset with Landau winning because he truly was amazing too.
True Dracula was pretty tame, Although it came out a few years after Nosferatu and it was based on a really stagey Broadway play, Whenever I hear someone who only know Lugosi through Dracula and Ed Wood films say that Lugosi couldn't act I'll always point out some of his other films like The Island Of Lost Souls The Black Cat The Body Snatcher in those last two films Karloff and Lugosi were outstanding IMHO.
Wow, that is one of the most articulate interviews I've ever seen discussing how an actor took on a specific role. The way he talked about having to learn all new signals to the face -- the economy of Bela's movements -- and how he really looked nothing like him -- that was so eloquent and so perfectly observed and expressed. (i don't know why I've never seen this til 2008??)
Sad that Martin Landau won a Oscar for playing Bela Lugosi when Bela Lugosi was never giving the credit he deserved. He was a brillant actor who deserved better.
Watching Landau in “North By Northwest.” I always think He could have easily played Dracula if he wanted. He was tall dark handsome. He also had a devilish grin that made him real creepy. Its not a coincidence his daughter would end playing a memorable vampire on Buffy. She shared similar traits with her dad. A very great actor.
Such a bittersweet role! The real Bela Lugosi never got recognized for his talent and here Martin Landau wins an Oscar for playing him. Brilliant performance and a great tribute! RIP both of them.
hell, that's what I wanted to know, if he really won an Oscar for that portrayal, EXCELLENT PERFORMANCE!!!😉
I worked with Martin once, and he's was a truly sweet, kind man. They wanted to really cover up his face for "Ed Wood," but he refused, only accepting minimal prosthetics as to not impede his facial expressions. Brilliant.
Yeah that's where the real acting came in by the sound of it having to squint his eyes when he would normally widen them etc. Different hand gestures body language it's not just looking like someone that earns an Oscar.
Martin Landau was beyond brilliant playing Bela Lugosi. He definitely deserved his Oscar! He was also terrific in "Mission Impossible".
Mission Impossible was my favorite show growing-up. It reminds me so much of my uncle who used to watch it with me.
Martin was truly excellent as Lugosi. The whole cast was great; a really fun entertaining movie about Mr. Wood.
Hunter66 his daughter was in the movie.
Martin Landau is excellent in every movie
What's even greater, is that he's not really like Lugosi, but he hits all the peaks of Lugosi's character in an exaggerated way. That's what makes a great actor
He was captivating.
Landau was a genius. Tragically underrated in his earlier years but his genius really shined through in his role as Lugosi. Glad he won that Oscar, well deserved.
One great actor playing another. Really cool.
Yeah.
Very cool
Rest in Peace Mr Landau and Mr Lugosi
His performance as Lugosi was an Oscar performance if ever there was one, he totally became Lugosi in every way. Touching and beautifully portrait a man at the end of his time, Lugosi could really act, even in the wonderfully awful wood movies if you want to see what I am talking about put pull the strings into you tube, he is fascinating
Every tiime I watch Ed Wood I absolutely forget it's even Martin Landau playing him.
Everyone wonders how the hell you could beat Sam Jackson for his role as Jules in Pulp Fiction...now you know what it takes!
Landau is a master of acting...best performance ever...he was mesmeric ..
Mr Landau is a real master..playing Mr Lugosi he was absolutely magnificent..he really deserved and academy award...
Carlos Araujo
Mr Landau is a genius.
My favorite Landau performance was in an old Outer Limits episode..awesome..
Way to go, Marty! He won that damn Oscar too.
No one ever deserved an Oscar MORE than Landau did for his Bela Lugosi in Ed Wood. ... Listening to a Great Actor describe their methods is always fascinating.
It's great that Landau won an award,
it's just sad that the real life Bela Lugosi never did in his lifetime.
Rest in Peace, Martin Landau.
RIP Martin Landau, a great and versatile actor. Glad he won an Oscar.
When I told my grandma that Landau played Lugosi, she said "I always knew Martin Landau was a vampire".
Good one Grandma 😁
Love the interviewer in these videos, you'd know by the sound of his voice he's passionate about movies and the people that make them.
Both actors are legends.
Such a classy and talented man, and he looks great!
When I saw a copy of Ed Wood on a DVD I was totally knocked out by Martin Landau's presentation of the man. Mr. Landau really got under the skin of the man who was probably the most famous movie monster character of all time. What especially struck me about Landau's performance was his mastery of the accent. Both my parents were of Hungarian extraction with my father having grown up on the other side and coming to this country when he was 23, hence his slight accent. In my childhood when my parents went to visit friends in nearby towns many of them were also Hungarians and there is no way for me to forget their way of speaking. Martin Landau in Ed Wood not only captured perfectly the way of speaking English with a Hungarian accent, but even the exact mannerism of their gestures, a truly incredible feat for someone who probably isn't of that nationality. As to the real Bela Lugosi, a family anecdote was that during the Depression my father was a waiter in a Hungarian restaurant in New York City called the Golden Fiddle. Bela was a frequent customer and my father would always converse with him in Hungarian when he was serving at Bela's table. Apparently the back story with Bela Lugosi was that he came to this country as a political refugee in the early 20's. Mr. Lugosi had been trained as an actor, but as it turned out there was little call for classically trained actors with a heavy foreign accent. However, he managed to get roles as a monster quite readily, which made him a lot of money but which he also blew on high living and overly numerous marriages.
In an interview I watched before this one , the issue of the accent and mannerisms and the eyes were central as he and Mr. Lugosi were so different. Mr. Landau would have been most pleased ,humbled and thankful for what you have written here. Thank you.
My Grandfather from Hungry owned a music store in the Yorkville section of Manhattan, Mr. Lugosi spent much time in my Grandfather's store after a good meal
and conversation with your father. Small World.
RIP, Martin Landau, we will miss you
The relationship between Lugosi and Wood is the heart of the movie! Well deserved Oscar!
I just saw Ed Wood for the firs time, man Landau was amazing as Lugosi!
My Grandad worked at Elstree studios. I've got a signed messaged picture of Martin Landau and Barbara Bain from Space 1999. Nice guy
Way Cool.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basking_in_reflected_glory
I love Martin Landau. Great actor. He was great in his role in North By North West as Leonard.
|He was , and in Cleopatra as well.
I had the amazing most fortunate opportunity of meeting Martin Landau, at a Ralphs Supermarket, a few yrs back.
I commended him on this role, congratulated him on the Oscar.
He was the nicest guy. Asked if I was an actor myself. No sir, music is my art.
Chatted for minute a took picture with him and split.
I didn't want to cause a scene, draw any attention to him so I made it quick.
As I started to leave, another couple came over, awestruck as I was, saluted him as well.
(He was tall, 6 plus easily)
I've met a few celebrity's along the way on the street in Los Angeles.
I'll tell you the older ones, just so gracious.
I'll never forget it.
What a class act.
RIP Mr Landau..
I love Martin. Such talented classy and brilliant guy.
So glad he won the Oscar. Well deserved!
John Landau introduced me to the actor Bela Lugosi in Ed-Wood
I didn’t know anything about this Lugosi, but he definitely did justice for the actor and made me really feel for him.
So glad he got his Oscar. It's really touching to see an old actor get the role of his life close to the end of his career and that he recognizes it and gets recognized for it.
Martin L. was just terrific in this role. He really deserved the Oscar.
I loved him as Lugosi's sidekick.
His role as Lugosi woke me up to the talents of real acting. I was just a kid but his performance opened my mind.
His looks and mannerisms off to a tea including the voice. He sure deserved the Oscar. Nobody could have done the jon better. Lugosi would have been proud.
i take my hat off to him. it was an absolutely brilliant performance.
He's a wonderful actor, seems very down to earth, and he isn't bad lookin', either! I've seen him over the years in TV (he did Twilight Zone, Outer Limits, etc., back in the early 1960s, before Mission Impossible) and later in movies. He's always given good performances with a humanity and sympathy that are displayed even (to a lesser degree) in his villains. Fascinating to hear him speak; I find him most charming. He surely did deserve his Oscar.
One of the best performance of all time. I would have loved to meet mister landau and just talk a little about this role!
Such a gracious man. So complimentary to Johnny Depp's talent.
It doesn't get much better than this!
Martin was brilliant as Bela! Both brilliant actors 👏 ❤️
Both Bela and Martin are brilliant.
Love Bela. I commemorate his birthday in Oktober every year--I make a Hungarian goulash (I only change the recipe by using mild Hungarian paprika instead of the hot kind, which can blow the top of your head off). I make a pumpkin spice cake also. I don't know if those existed in Hungary in the old days, but i think it kind of fits for Oktober. Bela deserved better than he got, but his performance in "The Wolf Man," though very brief, was a classic performance if there ever was one.
Martin Landau blew me away in this role. The movie was awesome but he is what keeps me coming back to it. Pull the string !!
Martin Landau is truly a brilliant and loved actor. We shall miss him. RR
So great in his Outer Limits episodes and as Rollin Hand in Mission Impossible.
And he WON the Oscar. Legend!
Great actor playing a great actor. Landau seems to be a very great and humble man. Hollywood needs more of his kind.
He did such a great job as Bela
Landau wasn't playing Lugosi....he WAS Lugosi. A superb performance, and that Oscar was richly deserved. Been a fan of the Landau (as I call him) ever since Mission Impossible. Space: 1999, too, of course. Top class actor - too big for TV, really, yet it's the small screen where he made his mark.
Really miss Martin landau . He was a decent man and a great actor.
What's great about Mr Landau was not only his brilliant performance but his humble attitude about his tough times as an actor. He knew what Lugosi was going through (sans the drug addiction). He put his heart and soul and great talent into this role and it showed. I saw Sam Jackson recently on a talk show berating the fact that he lost his (only) Oscar chance to Mr Landau and he seemed angry and surly without acknowledging the greatness of the performance that Landau gave. Sore loser indeed! Check out Tucker: A Man and His Dream for another great Landau performance
RIP Mr. Landau, you're missed.
Martin was superb as Bela Lugosi, the oscar was well deserved. He was also fantastic in two of my favourite movies. Cleopatra and North By Northwest.
Outstanding performance.
im pleased to say he did win it :)
One of the most truly deserved Oscar wins ever.
"the oscar goes to Martin Landau, its shadow to Bela Lugosi."- best review of his performance.
Martin Landau is a Master of his craft.
Beautiful man, who did an amazing piece of work capturing my hero Lugosi!
Great actor Mr Landau, wondeful Martin ,big man.
When I first saw "Ed Wood", I didn't recognize Landau and asked myself who was this helluva good actor (I knew him from North by NW, MI, Space). In the scene of the fight with the octopus, I couldn't retain tears.
1994 may just be the best movie year ever, and besides the Best Picture category being stacked, the Best Supporting Actor category was too, including Gary Sinise’s excellent performance as Lt. Dan in Best Picture Forrest Gump, two great performances from Chaz Palminteri in Bullets Over Broadway, and Paul Scofield in Quiz Show (his ‘Your name is mine!’ scene with the also great Ralph Fiennes is arguably the best scene in a tremendous film), and of COURSE the utterly iconic, legendary, career-making performance by Samuel L. Jackson in Pulp Fiction.
The proof that the late Martin Landau absolutely crushed his performance is that, while I’d likely have voted for Jackson if I had a vote, I can’t be upset with Landau winning because he truly was amazing too.
True Dracula was pretty tame, Although it came out a few years after Nosferatu and it was based on a really stagey Broadway play,
Whenever I hear someone who only know Lugosi through Dracula and Ed Wood films say that Lugosi couldn't act I'll always point out some of his other films like
The Island Of Lost Souls
The Black Cat
The Body Snatcher
in those last two films Karloff and Lugosi were outstanding IMHO.
I bid you, , good evening, Martin. Both you and Bela had great careers.
The interviewer said Bela Lugosi as Lugoosi.
I totally agree!
A hell of an Actor!
Marty was a GREAT, underrated actor.
I was in a schlocker with Landau and Martin Balsom just before his Lugosi role. A prom and great actor no matter what he is in
ed wood is a great film. i watch it every year
Great to see Landau's enthusiasm.
Seeing him like this makes me better apreciate his work. 'Mazing.
Martin was the best. Ed Wood is one of my favorite movies!
Bevare….bevare….PULL THE STRING! Superb performance.
What a charming man :D
He portrayed Bela so well.
Wow, that is one of the most articulate interviews I've ever seen discussing how an actor took on a specific role. The way he talked about having to learn all new signals to the face -- the economy of Bela's movements -- and how he really looked nothing like him -- that was so eloquent and so perfectly observed and expressed. (i don't know why I've never seen this til 2008??)
I laughed so hard as he played Lugosi in the scene with the mechanical octopus. It is gold!
Johnny Depp and Martin Laundaus performances were the greatest in the history of American Cinema. Best film ever made.
@ProjectFlashlight612 your comments on Martin Landau right on the mark. He is always great in whatever role he plays.
i never heard about that movie until now, but if love to see it, anyways, what I've seen his work as Bela deserved an OSCAR!!!😉
yes absolutely brilliant actor especially in this role.
great acting!
rip
Landau was a fantastic in that film.
Martin Landau certainly deserved his Oscar for "Ed Wood" - full of pathos. He was also creepily good in an early role in "North by Northwst"
I always like Bela. Some of the movies might not of been well, top notch, but Bela always gave a professional effort.
Martin did, but what's really sad is that Bela was never even nominated because horror movies didn't get recongized by the people who do the Oscars.
Totally deserved the Oscar for his portrayal. Loved his performance. Amazing.
A great actor. Rest in peace my friend.
Ed Wood Jr was a great American Director.
The job that this performer did as Lugosi was outstanding! Lugosi could have not done it better.
Sad that Martin Landau won a Oscar for playing Bela Lugosi when Bela Lugosi was never giving the credit he deserved. He was a brillant actor who deserved better.
Watching Landau in “North By Northwest.”
I always think He could have easily played Dracula if he wanted. He was tall dark handsome. He also had a devilish grin that made him real creepy.
Its not a coincidence his daughter would end playing a memorable vampire on Buffy. She shared similar traits with her dad.
A very great actor.
Nobody is, but Landau did a fantastic job of paying tribute to Bela.
it was an amazing performance..well deserved oscar..
a truly great performance
I am obsessed with his role in this movie. I washed it a bunch of times lately. He reminds me of my father with his Accent
fuckin great actor.
Landau understands Lugosi's brilliance.
Am glad he won an academy award! And space 1999
He did have a lot of ups and downs in his career
It is a compelling performance.