The following story was reported by BBC News (LINK), wherein it is claimed that Christopher Lee’s cape from Dracula (1958) was found in a London store. I’d be interested in learning the details of how Angles authenticated it. Going by the story, Lee verifying it 50 years later sounds implausible on the face of it, but maybe there are identifying marks/labels to supplement this examination.
Last Updated: Sunday, 21 October 2007, 14:30 GMT 15:30 UK
Lee’s Dracula cape found in store
The original cape which was worn by actor Christopher Lee in the 1958 vampire film, Dracula, has been found in a London fancy dress store.The memorabilia, which has been missing for 30 years, is thought to be worth $50,000 (£24,410).
Lee, who played the Count, was called upon to verify the cape was authentic after Angel’s staff discovered it.
Manager Emma Angel said she was “delighted” to have found the cloak during their annual stock take.
“In the run-up to Halloween we are frantically checking our other costumes, so that we do not inadvertently let a party-goer show up to a raucous fancy dress party in any another precious pieces of film history,” she said.
“We certainly won’t be hiring this one out again in the near future,” she added.
The movie, which was directed by Terence Fisher, also starred Peter Cushing who played Van Helsing.
The long overcoat which was worn by Cushing in the film was also found and is currently being valued.
Dracula was the second movie Cushing and Lee made together after they appeared in the 1957 film, The Curse of Frankenstein, together.
Lee, who is best known for playing villainous characters, played Roger Moore’s nemesis Scaramanga in The Man With The Golden Gun.
Most recently he appeared as Saruman in The Lord of the Rings trilogy, and Count Dooku in the Star Wars prequels.
Jason De Bord