Frankenstein

     James Whale's masterpiece, "Frankenstein" is so iconic that even though alot of people haven't actually watched it, they instantly know who it is anyway.  This is my personal favorite of the Universal Monsters, thanks in large part to Boris Karloff's fantastic performance as the misunderstood monster.  "Frankenstein" became the most successful and sequelized- it's second only to "Dracula" as the most portrayed character in movie history.  "Frankenstein" is fascinating on all accounts.  Boris Karloff gives the performance of a lifetime as Dr. Victor Frankenstein's dead creation brought to life.  Colin Clive deliriously plays the insane Dr. Frankenstein, and Dwight Frye plays his faithful hunchback assistant, Fritz. 

     Mixed with tons of Gothic atmosphere and Whale's superb direction, you have one of the most influential and eternal horror movies of all time. I can't imagine how audiences in 1931 reacted sitting in a darkened theater watching the scenes of grave robbing and re-animated corpses unfold before their eyes.  I'm sure it was quite shocking.  This is the definitive version of the "Frankenstein" tale- no disrespect to Mary Shelley, but Whale's film version, with the makeup by Jack Pierce and Kenneth Strickfaden's fabulous electrical equipment and effects, became firmly entrenched in popular culture and influenced all other "Frankenstein" incarnations that followed.

     Watching "Frankenstein" today is awe-inspiring.  I think sometimes we take for granted these early movie monsters and what made them so memorable in the first place.  They're like Ronald McDonald or Big Bird.  We know them so well that it sometimes isn't even necessary to view the films because we're raised from such an early age with these characters in our lives. We already know the story of Frankenstein, without reading the book or seeing the movie.  We know he's stitched together with spare parts of other corpses and brought to life by mad Dr. Frankenstein.  Kids just somehow know and accept this knowledge.  It's really kind of strange. I myself had collected the Aurora Model Kits of all the Universal Monsters by the time I was ten or so, and loved them dearly.  I wish I still had them actually... 

     Go anywhere in the world and mention Dracula or Frankenstein or The Wolf Man and people will know exactly who you're talking about.  So I think it's necessary sometimes to go back and experience these early movie monsters and appreciate them for what they are.  I still firmly have my attention span intact, therefore I absolutely adore classic movies.  In fact, I probably watch more older movies than newer ones.  I completely understand and respect why "Frankenstein" is considered such an important and iconic movie. I own the fantastic Legacy Collection DVD's, and curling up with these guys are like a warm blanket.  And "Frankenstein" is my personal favorite.  In 1991, "Frankenstein" was selected for preservation in the United States Film Registry.  "Frankenstein" ranked #27 on Bravo's Scariest Movie Moments.

The Bride Of Frankenstein

     Often considered even better than the original "Frankenstein", James Whales' follow-up to his monster 1931 hit is nothing if not fascinating.  "The Bride of Frankenstein" opens with  Percy Shelley and Lord Byron praising Mary Shelley on her frightening "Frankenstein" story, and Mary informing them to pull up a chair because the story's not over.  We flash back to the ending of the original "Frankenstein" with the angry villagers gathering around the remains of the burning windmill.  It's a brilliant way to start the movie.

     Karloff as the Monster speaks for the first time in "Bride", yet Lanchester almost steals the show and creates one of the most iconic characters in movie history as the Bride.  Although only on-screen as the Bride for maybe two minutes at the climax,  she is completely riveting- her darting, almost bird-like movements are incredible.  Colin Clive returns as the mad Dr. Frankenstein, and the creation of the Bride rivals that of the original monster in "Frankenstein".   Ernest Thesinger also steals the show as the eccentric and fully mad Dr. Pretorious, who coaxes the retired Victor Frankenstein back into his evildoings to create a mate for the Monster.

     The movie boasts a wicked sense of black humor, almost spoofing the original at times.  But it works here, and it works well. It's a mish-mash of sexual innuendo, Gothic horror,  and religious imagery. "The Bride of Frankenstein" is considered not only one of the greatest horror movies of all time, but one of the greatest movies, period.  James Whale had a much bigger budget on "Bride", and it shows.  The lavish sets, lighting, and special effects are something to behold, especially in 1935.  It's a masterpiece, and one that's every bit as entertaining as the original "Frankenstein".  Fans continue to argue which is the better film, and I say hogwash. I consider them both to be basically one long movie, as that's how they should be viewed.