Frankenstein (1931)/The Bride of Frankenstein (1935)
Review by The Fiend of Grue
Not a lot can be added to what has already been said of the legendary horror film Frankenstein over the years. From the opening scene of Dr. Frankenstein and his hunchback helper Fritz keeping a close eye on a funeral procession, waiting for the crowd to leave so they can steal the body, to the fiery finale of the monster meeting his supposed death at the hands of an angry mob, this film is iconic in every way.
For the very few (if any) who aren’t familiar with the story, Frankenstein tells the tale of Dr. Henry Frankenstein (Colin Clive) who has discovered a way to bring the dead to life and wants to make a man out of parts that he steals from the bodies of dead criminals. After piecing together the perfect body one stormy night, Dr. Frankenstein brings the Monster (Boris Karloff) to life and soon all hell breaks loose as the Monster causes havoc throughout the town.
Boris Karloff was a struggling actor, working between movies and stage plays for 20+ years when upon a wind of fate landed the role of the Monster and the rest from there is history. Having no dialog and having to act through heavy makeup, altering his entire appearance, the role was something that many were leery of taking, with even Bela Lugosi turning down the role, but Karloff took the role simply being happy to keep working in Hollywood. It’s hard to imagine anyone else being able to pull off such a memorable or more iconic character than Karloff. With all of the perfect movements at just the right times, all of the right postures, expressions, and sounds, Karloff made Frankenstein’s Monster into a creature that will forever be a part of our culture.
Elsewhere in the film, Colin Clive as the crazed Dr. Frankenstein is also fantastic as a man hell-bent on being God himself. Leading up to bringing his creation to life, Colin plays this part masterfully and once his creature makes it’s first moves he shouts, “It’s alive, it’s alive!” over and over, a saying in which is still heard on a regular basis, even today.
At it’s core, Frankenstein is a morality tale warning against mankind trying to play God. In today’s’ world of cloning, stem cell research and even something like cryogenic freezing, it’s not hard to find all manner of relevance in the story of Frankenstein and regardless of one’s own religion, or lack thereof, it’s hard to not find a certain truth behind this classic tale.
I love all of the original Universal monsters and find it fascinating at how much they all still haunt all aspects of our culture, but if I had to pick one, Frankenstein would be my favorite. From when I was a kid, this movie has always held a special place in my horror heart. Even watching the film now, I am amazed at Karloff’s performance and just the overall film itself. I can’t imagine what it would have been like to have seen this film on opening night, in New York City, back in 1931. Just the shock that audiences experienced (the look of the Monster, the death of a child on screen!) when seeing something like this for the first time in that day and age would have been something to behold.
This film, along with all of the other Universal classics, could be considered the Marijuana of horror films because there is no better gateway drug into the wonderful world of horror for kids, than giving them an introduction to any of these classics films and if you’ve never seen these films yourself, then shame on you!
Of course with the success of Frankenstein, Universal was beating down the door of director James Whale for him to follow it up with a sequel. Not wanting to do it, four years passed before Whale finally caved and made Bride Of Frankenstein.
Bride Of Frankenstein starts off showing Mary Shelley (Elsa Lanchester, who also plays the role of The Bride) sitting around with friends one evening, when upon their request, concocts a new tale of terror. Picking up right where the original story ended, Bride begins by showing us that the Monster didn’t, in fact, parish in the flames of the windmill, but survived to “live” another day.
The Monster eventually stumbles across the sinister mad scientist by the name of Dr. Pretorius (Ernest Thesiger) who is also Dr. Henry Frankenstein’s old professor, and together they force Henry into making a bride for the Monster. Of course it happens, but all does not go as planned when the Monster is introduced to his newly made bride.
Not as seriously toned but steeped more in dark humor, almost too much at times, Bride is a worthy follow-up to Frankenstein even if it’s not quite as good. A lot of people might argue that Bride actually surpasses the original film and that is understandable as well.
Boris Karloff takes the role of the Monster to a whole different level in this film and adds much more depth and more of a sense of empathy for this man made abomination. Expanding upon the childlike innocence and naiveté of the Monster, Karloff manages to make us feel genuine sympathy for him. In one of the films best and heart felt sequences we see the Monster, who is roaming the forest aimlessly, suddenly hear a violin. Upon searching for the sound, he finds the home of a blind man who takes him into his home to care for him, all along showing the Monster that not all people are bad. Being that the man is blind and can‘t see the hideous looking creature, and therefore is not scared of him, he makes friends with him and even teaches the Monster how to talk and smoke a cigar. This entire sequence is fantastic and one of the best scenes that Karloff ever did as the Monster.
As is the case with any sequel, there is more of everything in Bride. More action, more drama, more screen time for the Monster and once the Bride is finally revealed in the closing moments of the film, it truly is one of the most memorable moments in movie history and is a testament to the movies lasting appeal.
For this reviewer, the film may not be as great as it’s source material, but it’s still a great film nonetheless that deserves all of the recognition that it gets to this day. Like the original, Bride is a film that everyone should see at least once in their lifetime.
Get all the classic Frankenstein films on Amazon
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