Frankenstein (1931)
Frankenstein (1931)
1931’s Frankenstein is considered to be the godfather of horror films. It went on to influence an enormous truckload of horror films. Outside of 1931’s Dracula, this film is the beginning of the Universal classic horror films that we have all come to know and love. If you compare it to today’s horror films, it’s dated and not all the scary. But to the audiences of 1931, they were very scared. In fact, the movie began with an introduction that warned audiences of what is to come. Something that you’ll never see with any film really. In the end, this is a short, simple film about a man trying to play God which resulted in dire consequences.
I said the film wasn’t all that scary to modern times, but it really is easy to see the influence this film had. Frankenstein’s monster is the traditional look that we all think of when we think about this story, and it’s a terrifying look. Unlike Mary Shelley’s important novel, the monster isn’t really depicted as an all out brute. He his given some humanity with a hint of sadness. You get the feeling that he knows he is the creature that is not meant to be. He is not an inherently evil creature, just one that is taught the violence he will be known for.
After the success of Dracula, actor Bela Lugosi was expected to play the Monster by producer Carl Laemmle Jr. Lugosi instead wanted to play Henry Frankenstein, so Lugosi was not involved with the film. Instead, Boris Karloff was cast. It’s a good thing too, because Karloff really captured the essence of the monster. Did I mention that I like his freakish look. Tons of credit is needed for the makeup team. They did an absolutely amazing job.
The project was directed by James Whale, a British director who knows a thing or two about horror films. It was definitely an inspired choice. He brought ideas from the German Expressionism movement. For example, Henry Frankenstein kept himself away from society in a dark, dank castle that looked very unforgiving in the midst of a stormy atmosphere. I also liked how Whale decided to get to the action immediately. No monkey business at all here which is great considering the film is only an hour and ten minutes long.
Henry Frankenstein (Colin Clive) has taken himself away from society, with the exception of his assistant Fritz (Dwight Frye), in order to work on his latest creation. People close to him including his father, Baron Frankenstein (Frederick Kerr), his best friend Victor (John Boles), and his fiancée Elizabeth (Mae Clarke) worry about him. They take matter into their own hands to intercept him. They discover he has been using body parts from deceased humans (including a brain from a criminal) to create The Monster (Boris Karloff). Everyone tries to convince him that what he is doing is wrong. The Monster escapes from their clutches and terrorizes neighboring towns.
The performances, if not over-the-top, are really fun to watch. Colin Clive is known for one of the most memorable lines in cinematic history, “IT’S ALIVE!!!” It is unfortunate he died at a young age because he had a promising career. That said, the film’s standout is Boris Karloff. He delivers a genuinely unnerving performance that will stick with you forever and one that influenced countless future monsters.
The movie, while not overly scary, does feature an incredibly chilly atmosphere with moments of high tension. It’s not hard to see why the film’s producer wanted to start the film the way he did. Also, I thought the scene in the lab where Frankenstein’s monster became amongst the living was a great scene. The special effects are really, really good. In fact, Mel Brooks used the same lab for his spoof Young Frankenstein.
Frankenstein has influenced others and been lampooned a countless number of times because of just how popular it was. The famed creatures we know and love today has this movie to thank. This is a movie that gets straight to the action and is fun from start to finish. It’s a classic must-own film for any horror buff or film fan for that matter. Thank you, Boris Karloff for your unforgettable performance.
My Grade: A-
1931’s Frankenstein is considered to be the godfather of horror films. It went on to influence an enormous truckload of horror films. Outside of 1931’s Dracula, this film is the beginning of the Universal classic horror films that we have all come to know and love. If you compare it to today’s horror films, it’s dated and not all the scary. But to the audiences of 1931, they were very scared. In fact, the movie began with an introduction that warned audiences of what is to come. Something that you’ll never see with any film really. In the end, this is a short, simple film about a man trying to play God which resulted in dire consequences.
I said the film wasn’t all that scary to modern times, but it really is easy to see the influence this film had. Frankenstein’s monster is the traditional look that we all think of when we think about this story, and it’s a terrifying look. Unlike Mary Shelley’s important novel, the monster isn’t really depicted as an all out brute. He his given some humanity with a hint of sadness. You get the feeling that he knows he is the creature that is not meant to be. He is not an inherently evil creature, just one that is taught the violence he will be known for.
After the success of Dracula, actor Bela Lugosi was expected to play the Monster by producer Carl Laemmle Jr. Lugosi instead wanted to play Henry Frankenstein, so Lugosi was not involved with the film. Instead, Boris Karloff was cast. It’s a good thing too, because Karloff really captured the essence of the monster. Did I mention that I like his freakish look. Tons of credit is needed for the makeup team. They did an absolutely amazing job.
The project was directed by James Whale, a British director who knows a thing or two about horror films. It was definitely an inspired choice. He brought ideas from the German Expressionism movement. For example, Henry Frankenstein kept himself away from society in a dark, dank castle that looked very unforgiving in the midst of a stormy atmosphere. I also liked how Whale decided to get to the action immediately. No monkey business at all here which is great considering the film is only an hour and ten minutes long.
Henry Frankenstein (Colin Clive) has taken himself away from society, with the exception of his assistant Fritz (Dwight Frye), in order to work on his latest creation. People close to him including his father, Baron Frankenstein (Frederick Kerr), his best friend Victor (John Boles), and his fiancée Elizabeth (Mae Clarke) worry about him. They take matter into their own hands to intercept him. They discover he has been using body parts from deceased humans (including a brain from a criminal) to create The Monster (Boris Karloff). Everyone tries to convince him that what he is doing is wrong. The Monster escapes from their clutches and terrorizes neighboring towns.
The performances, if not over-the-top, are really fun to watch. Colin Clive is known for one of the most memorable lines in cinematic history, “IT’S ALIVE!!!” It is unfortunate he died at a young age because he had a promising career. That said, the film’s standout is Boris Karloff. He delivers a genuinely unnerving performance that will stick with you forever and one that influenced countless future monsters.
The movie, while not overly scary, does feature an incredibly chilly atmosphere with moments of high tension. It’s not hard to see why the film’s producer wanted to start the film the way he did. Also, I thought the scene in the lab where Frankenstein’s monster became amongst the living was a great scene. The special effects are really, really good. In fact, Mel Brooks used the same lab for his spoof Young Frankenstein.
Frankenstein has influenced others and been lampooned a countless number of times because of just how popular it was. The famed creatures we know and love today has this movie to thank. This is a movie that gets straight to the action and is fun from start to finish. It’s a classic must-own film for any horror buff or film fan for that matter. Thank you, Boris Karloff for your unforgettable performance.
My Grade: A-
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