Isn't it a shame that so many of the actors we love never knew they would live on in our hearts? Dwight Frye would have been pleased, I think, to know we remember him well. Born in 1899, Dwight had a decade of popular success during the 20's on Broadway, mostly in comedies and light romances. Then he went to Hollywood. We know him best as Renfield to Bela Lugosi's Dracula. Dwight's bulging eyes, great shark-like grin, and that famous laugh - "Uh heh heh heh heh heh!" -- who could forget it?
Dwight's Hollywood career was a great disappointment to him. His parts, mainly Renfield, Fritz the hunchback assistant in Frankenstein, Karl the equally unpleasant assistant in Bride of Frankenstein, Herman the village half-wit in The Vampire Bat, various uncredited torch-bearing villagers in other horror films - these were his main stock in trade. He did a few regular movies, but not roles in which he could shine. Much of his work ended up on cutting room floors. He always wished for legitimate acting parts, mostly hoping for comedic roles, but the typecasting curse was too strong. In 1943, Dwight joined in the war effort by working for Lockheed Aircraft Company. His health failed because of a coronary condition, for which he did not seek medical attention because of his devout Christian Science beliefs. He died in that same year of 1943, only 44 years old and leaving a wife and son. Unhappily, he was being considered for a decent role as a political figure in a film to be directed by Henry King when he died. I don't know if he ever knew about it. Sadly, his occupation was registered on the death certificated as "tool designer."
But we know better. Dwight Frye will always be an important actor to lovers of the original horror movies. Dracula alone would never have been as entertaining without Dwight as the crazy "old fly eater", as the asylum keeper called him. So just for Dwight, let's all together: "Uh heh heh heh heh heh!"
