From ............ Daily News Miner

November 6, 1994

DRACULA BECOMES HANDSOMER WITH AGE

When Bram Stoker described Dracula in his 1897 novel that brought the vampire myth into the modern world, the Count was depicted as aged and decrepit, with batlike pointed ears, hairy palms, bushy hair and extremely bad breath. Not only was he a creature of malevolence, he was in desperate need of a make-over.

Now, in as much of a metamorphosis as the bloodsucker's celebrated transformation into a bat, vampires are being portrayed by reigning Hollywood hunks like Tom Cruise, Brad Pitt, Stephen Ben and Antonio Banderas, all of whom star in the film "Interview With the Vampire."

It's proof that no one is immune from the changing winds of fashion. In fact, contemporary vampires-or at least the film versions- are not only prettier on the outside, but on the inside as well. No longer are they seen as the embodiments of evil, but as exponents of what can only be termed an enviable alternative life-after-death-style.

- END QUOTE -