Eugenio Derbez and Jason Alexander Talk about ‘Y Llegaron de Noche‘ a Satire of the Making of the 1932 Spanish version of Universal’s ‘Dracula.’
It felt like a warm reunion, akin to an annual Thanksgiving gathering when seeing Eugenio Derbez. Last year we spoke at the Newport Beach Film Festival for the premiere of ‘The Radical‘ This year, the Newport Beach Film Festival celebrates its 25th anniversary, and I’m excited to see Jason Alexander joining the festivities for the world premiere of his film, ‘Stealing Pulp Fiction‘.
Amid all this exciting about spending time at the beach we were able to speak about their latest comedy series, ‘Y Llegaron de Noche (They Came at Dark)‘ marking a significant return for Derbez to Spanish-language comedy after more than a decade away from the genre. This series is particularly special as it’s his first original comedy under the first-look agreement between 3Pas Studios and ViX, which promises to bring more diverse and engaging stories to audiences.
Inspired by true events, ‘Y Llegaron de Noche (They Came at Dark)‘ is a delightful workplace satirical comedy that dives into the fascinating behind-the-scenes story of the making of the Spanish version of the 1931 classic ‘Dracula‘. While Bela Lugosi was busy filming during the day, a separate cast and crew worked tirelessly at night to produce a Spanish-language rendition of the iconic film, using the same sets, costumes, and even a translated script. Against all odds, they created a version that many argue was superior to the original. Derbez shines as Carlos Villarías, the Spanish actor who took on the formidable role of Dracula, while Jason Alexander portrays Carl Laemmle, one of the original Hollywood moguls who played a pivotal role in the industry.
Reflecting on the film’s rich history, it’s fascinating to note that Paul Kohner, who plays the pivotal role of AJ Vaage, and Lupita Tovar, portrayed by Yare Santana, remained married until Kohner’s passing in 1988. Their enduring love story is a testament to their commitment, and their legacy continues as their children and grandchildren have carried on in the film industry, contributing to the ongoing narrative of cinema. All thanks to the Spanish version of ‘Dracula‘ captured in ‘Y Llegaron de Noche (They Came at Dark)‘.
‘Y Llegaron de Noche (They Came at Dark)‘ runs weekly on Vix.
