[FILM]. [LUGOSI, Bela (1882-1956)]. Publicity Photo of a Young Bela Lugosi for His Run of the Stage Version of “Dracula,” Taken Years Before the Classic Film. [New York: July 4, 1930]. Black and white photo profile of a young, handsome Lugosi holding a cigar (in street attire). Approximately 254 x 202 mm. A bit toned, rubbed, with inkstamp and pencil caption on verso. Although the photo has the dated inkstamp of 1930 on the verso, the pencil caption states the following: “Bela Lugosi starring in ‘Dracula’ at the Fulton Theatre”, which ran from 1927-28. Produced by Horace Liveright, the American version of this play (it had first run in the U. K. in 1924, but was adapted for an American audience by writer John L. Balderson for the 1927-28 run) marked Lugosi’s first major English-speaking role. This original “first generation” photo was taken to publicize the first American run of this play. This play was the basis for the classic 1931 film, which also starred Lugosi as Dracula.