Under the agreement, both Universal Studios and Bela G. Lugosi may solicit prospective joint licenses on behalf of both parties and license the respective rights together as mutually agreed upon. This agreement covers not only Bela Lugosi as ``,'' but also as he appeared as other monster characters from Universal films. This agreement also includes the use of the Universal Studios Monsters name and logo in connection with those characters. Mr. Lugosi is represented by Patrick Lauerman of Heat Licensing.

``Universal Studios was the originator of the horror film genre,'' said Tim Rothwell, senior vice president, licensing, merchandising and retail development, Universal Studios Consumer Products Group. ``We look forward to developing this relationship and offering high quality, innovative products to consumers.''

``My father's character as portrayed in the Universal Studios films will live on through this licensing agreement,'' said Bela G. Lugosi.

Categories available for license include collectibles, costumes, food, gifts, home decor items and toys. Existing products featuring Lugosi's likeness currently in the marketplace include Playing Mantis model kits, Franklin Mint sculptures, framed lithographs from Popular Culture Highway and hand-pulled fine art lithographs from The Re Society Ltd.

Does this mean we will see a Bela Lugosi as Dracula as part of Sideshow Toy's line of Universal Monsters action figures? Could be. It is one of the additions to the line most requested by fans. This new deal certainly makes the possibility more likely.

Bela Lugosi was born near the western border of Transylvania in 1882, not far from fictional count Dracula's home in the Carpathian Mountains. Reared in the town of Lugos, a name he would later adapt as his own, Lugosi preferred acting to his school work and left home at the age of twelve to pursue his acting career with the Hungarian theater in the 1900's. Lugosi made his way to the United States after a stint in the military during WWI. His break came in 1927 when he landed the role of ``Dracula'' in a lead Broadway production that ran for over 500 performances. By 1927 Lugosi had relocated to Hollywood where he was chosen for Universal's screen version of ``Dracula'' in 1931. He went on to play numerous classic horror roles before he died at age seventy-three in 1956. He was buried most fittingly in the ``Dracula'' cape.

Universal Studios is the originator of the classic monster movie genre. In addition to ``Dracula,'' its franchise of monster characters include ``Frankenstein,'' ``The Creature from the Black Lagoon,'' ``The Wolf Man,'' ``The Mummy,'' ``The Phantom of the Opera,'' ``The Bride of Frankenstein,'' ``The Munsters'' and a host of other ghoulish characters.

Universal Studios Consumer Products Group is a division of Universal Studios a diversified entertainment company and worldwide leader in motion pictures, television, home and location based entertainment. Universal Studios is a unit of The Seagram Company Ltd., a global entertainment and beverage company.

[Posted 7/26/2000]