The Return of the Vampire opens with a prologue of a young woman being attacked, then it moves into the opening narration as a werewolf comes through Priory Cemetery to a crypt with a vampire, who the werewolf calls "master." Narration tells us the story is composed from the notes of Professor Walter Saunders at Kings College, Oxford. The story begins in October 1918.

The attacked woman is taken to Insley Sanitarium. Professor Saunders (Gilbert Emery) is called to evaluate her, and he soon realizes that she has been attacked by a vampire. Together with another doctor, Lady Jane Ainsley (Frieda Inescort), they locate the vampire's coffin and drive a stake through his heart. The werewolf, Andreas Obry (Matt Willis), returns to normal and they take him to the sanitarium to recover.

In 1942, caretakers are cleaning up bombing debris at Priory Cemetery. They discover a body with a piece of metal driven through it. They remove the stake and rebury the body. Of course, that frees the vampire (Bela Lugosi), who immediately summons Andreas to him and seeks revenge against Lady Ainsley by attacking those she loves most. He assumes the identity of Dr. Hugo Bruckner, goes to work at the sanitarium and promptly attacks Nicki (Nina Foch), who is engaged to Jane's son, John (Roland Varno).

Once again, Jane must find and destroy the vampire. But this time, nobody will believe her until the cops try to apprehend Andreas and he transforms.

A werewolf wearing a suit with the shirt collar buttoned is certainly a sight to behold and a stretch for the imagination. But ... okay ... I can get past my snickers, giggles and werewolf stereotyping to enjoy the suspense of the foggy set, the creepy cemetery, the upturned collar of the vampire that conceals his identity and the shadow action that is sometimes more terrifying psychologically than the real action.

This story offers a most imaginative way to bring a vampire back to life. It was original and absolutely possible, if vampires exist. It also uses some originality at the end. 

The Return of the Vampire is as much a statement about the times as anything else and it has value today as such. It is not the least bit scary and the story drags out slowly. It lacks tension and never builds any suspense. It flatlines -- no peaks or valleys here. As such, it cannot be called a horror movie and qualifies as a drama only in the most liberal sense.

I honestly believe that the movie company was relying solely upon the popularity of Lugosi to sell The Return of the Vampire. And that is the only reason to buy it -- if you want a complete collection of Bela Lugosi's work. Otherwise, horror fans need to pass this one by and leave it with the other World War II memorabilia.