As in the novel, Frankenstein is not a doctor, but a medical student who has what Edward Van Sloan called "a mad dream." Whale considered himself a true artist (he was) and was deeply offended by small minded people censoring his work. When the monster comes to life, Frankenstein cries out, "In the name of God, now I know what it feels like to BE God!" Highly dramatic, but the censors dubbed in thunder to drown that line out. Also the monster killing the little girl Maria was cut from the film. In "The Bride of Frankenstein," Whale had little things that he triumphantly sneaked past the censors, such as the monster being trussed up by the villagers as a mock-Christ figure. He was a true genius Hollywood never appreciated.
Dracula (1931), Frankenstein (1931), The Old Dark House (1932), The Mummy (1932), King Kong (1933), The Invisible Man (1933), The Black Cat (1934), Bride of Frankenstein (1935), The Wolfman (1941). . . and let's not forget the Nazis, who were real. What a decade!
Great film but I have a couple questions maybe you could help me with; 1) How did the Monster know where to find Henry and Elizabeth at their home? 2) When the villagers begin their lynching mob, how do they know what their looking for? Just some small things, I’ve only watched it for the first time tonight and loved it. Thx for reading
Never been much of a horror flick fan ... but per usual, Steve, you make the case for both the genre and the movie itself, and you do so damned well. One of multiple reasons why I'm glad I subscribed, bro ... thanks!
My favorite scene is the windmill scene. At the end the windmill burns to the ground with the creature screaming like a little girl. The reason the monster killed is because he received a criminal brain.
I agree with you that the film is very different from the novel. And I love the novel, too. I don't penalize films for how closely they follow their source material. The book is the book and the film is the film, and they can be very different, and each great in their own way.
Frankenstein was the first Universal Monster I've ever seen. It's what got me hooked on the series. I know Karloff's portrayal strays from the original novel. But Shelly was rather vague on its appearance, in the original book. Besides, we can all agree Karloff's Frankenstein achieved better success (during it's original theater run and today's commercial appeal) than that film I, Frankenstein
Don't forget the famous opening. How do you do? Mr. Carl Lemfiel would feel it would be a little unkind to present this picture without just a word of friendly warning. We are about to unfold the story of Frankenstein, a man of science, who sought to create a man after his own image, without reckoning upon God. It is one of the strangest tales ever told. It deals with the two great mysteries of creation; life and death. I think it will thrill you. It may shock you. It might even horrify you. So if any of you feel that you would not care to subject your nerves to such a strain, now's your chance to...well, we've warned you.
When we were young our favorite Frankenstein movie was "Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein". It's a little too arty for everyone's taste, but we were sophisticated children.
It dates in respect of being the prototype for so many 30's/40's horror films. It is a memorable film despite not being as polished as the immediate sequel. Karloff and Clive are inspired casting.
Great film. You should do more movie reviews! My favorite horror film, and the one I'll be watching tomorrow night, is the original Halloween. Do you have any thoughts on that one?
Could you review 'Frankenstein Meets the Wolfman?' It's one of the better crossovers, and LC Jr. is still great in it. But it has enough ridiculousness to have fun reviewing, I think.
Good stuff here Steve... just watched your other vids in this series. I finally watched Frankenstein in an art house movie theater here in NYC last year. I think you should have taken a second to mention the amazing revolutionary MAKEUP work. This iconic monster was more than Boris Karloff and James Whale. Jack P. Price deserves credit where credit is due. Also, what is up with the last scene in the movie? It seems completely out of character with the rest, and leaves me thinking WTF ?!?
Wangavision No, you're not alone. These are among my favorite monster movies of all time. It all comes down to what you consider important in a movie. I chose Bride to be the best; It's just my taste. I think things like the set design, lighting, and cinematography were superior in Bride (not by much). The acting and storyline were equally great in both. In the end I consider them both great and when I watch one I always watch the other. It's really hard to put one above the other so I understand your feelings.
i think this movie is too short. The scenes are too rushed, so it is hard to grasp the characters. The ending was so abrupt, my dad and I broke out into laughter.
Picture This my family and I laughed our asses off when he threw that girl in the river and she dies in two inches of water. Lol like she couldn't just walk out.
Dude, I'm watching your videos in 2022 and you look exactly the same!
As in the novel, Frankenstein is not a doctor, but a medical student who has what Edward Van Sloan called "a mad dream." Whale considered himself a true artist (he was) and was deeply offended by small minded people censoring his work. When the monster comes to life, Frankenstein cries out, "In the name of God, now I know what it feels like to BE God!" Highly dramatic, but the censors dubbed in thunder to drown that line out. Also the monster killing the little girl Maria was cut from the film. In "The Bride of Frankenstein," Whale had little things that he triumphantly sneaked past the censors, such as the monster being trussed up by the villagers as a mock-Christ figure. He was a true genius Hollywood never appreciated.
Dracula (1931), Frankenstein (1931), The Old Dark House (1932), The Mummy (1932), King Kong (1933), The Invisible Man (1933), The Black Cat (1934), Bride of Frankenstein (1935), The Wolfman (1941). . . and let's not forget the Nazis, who were real. What a decade!
Frankenstein Meets the Wolf Man is the last one I'm doing this week. That review goes up on Friday!
Great film but I have a couple questions maybe you could help me with;
1) How did the Monster know where to find Henry and Elizabeth at their home?
2) When the villagers begin their lynching mob, how do they know what their looking for?
Just some small things, I’ve only watched it for the first time tonight and loved it.
Thx for reading
Never been much of a horror flick fan ... but per usual, Steve, you make the case for both the genre and the movie itself, and you do so damned well.
One of multiple reasons why I'm glad I subscribed, bro ... thanks!
My favorite scene is the windmill scene. At the end the windmill burns to the ground with the creature screaming like a little girl. The reason the monster killed is because he received a criminal brain.
First Halloween costume that I got to choose (I was five) was Frankenstein. Great review for a great movie.
I agree with you that the film is very different from the novel. And I love the novel, too. I don't penalize films for how closely they follow their source material. The book is the book and the film is the film, and they can be very different, and each great in their own way.
Frankenstein is my first favorite monster and my second is the wolfman
Frankenstein was the first Universal Monster I've ever seen. It's what got me hooked on the series.
I know Karloff's portrayal strays from the original novel. But Shelly was rather vague on its appearance, in the original book.
Besides, we can all agree Karloff's Frankenstein achieved better success (during it's original theater run and today's commercial appeal) than that film I, Frankenstein
sadlobster1 Ooo that God awful I, Frankenstein movie was a let down of biblical proportions
I think The Bride of Frankenstein is a better movie than the original Frankenstein.
Whale's "Show Boat" is also excellent.
Don't forget the famous opening.
How do you do? Mr. Carl Lemfiel would feel it would be a little unkind to present this picture without just a word of friendly warning. We are about to unfold the story of Frankenstein, a man of science, who sought to create a man after his own image, without reckoning upon God. It is one of the strangest tales ever told. It deals with the two great mysteries of creation; life and death. I think it will thrill you. It may shock you. It might even horrify you. So if any of you feel that you would not care to subject your nerves to such a strain, now's your chance to...well, we've warned you.
"Uncle Carl Laemmle had a very large faemmle." -- Hollywood joke
Sorry, not this go-round. But I'll get to it at some point, I'm sure. I really like that one, too.
When we were young our favorite Frankenstein movie was "Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein". It's a little too arty for everyone's taste, but we were sophisticated children.
It dates in respect of being the prototype for so many 30's/40's horror films. It is a memorable film despite not being as polished as the immediate sequel. Karloff and Clive are inspired casting.
Yes, a great movie and so beautifully filmed. The black and white is luxurious.
So you liked it then? Super review Steve. I just love the energy and passion you show when speaking about the subject. Great stuff
Awesome! By the way, I just recently discovered your channel and wanted to say I think your take on things is generally pretty cool. RUclips on, man.
Eye-gor!
Froderick!
great review, I love all of these 30s and 40s horror movies,
I do hope you have the Wolfman lined up next, it would be a travesty if you didn't.
Thank you for this
Great review!
Great film. You should do more movie reviews! My favorite horror film, and the one I'll be watching tomorrow night, is the original Halloween. Do you have any thoughts on that one?
Frankenstein is the movie that got me into these movies its my favorite monster
Could you review 'Frankenstein Meets the Wolfman?' It's one of the better crossovers, and LC Jr. is still great in it. But it has enough ridiculousness to have fun reviewing, I think.
The Wolf Man is next!
Good stuff here Steve... just watched your other vids in this series.
I finally watched Frankenstein in an art house movie theater here in NYC last year.
I think you should have taken a second to mention the amazing revolutionary MAKEUP work. This iconic monster was more than Boris Karloff and James Whale. Jack P. Price deserves credit where credit is due.
Also, what is up with the last scene in the movie? It seems completely out of character with the rest, and leaves me thinking WTF ?!?
I have a question about Young Frankenstein, but I guess I'll ask it in the comments for YHTA.
Am I alone when I say that I think Frankenstein is a superior film to Bride of Frankenstein?
Wangavision No, you're not alone. These are among my favorite monster movies of all time. It all comes down to what you consider important in a movie. I chose Bride to be the best; It's just my taste. I think things like the set design, lighting, and cinematography were superior in Bride (not by much). The acting and storyline were equally great in both. In the end I consider them both great and when I watch one I always watch the other. It's really hard to put one above the other so I understand your feelings.
You're going to review "The Mummy" (1932) RIGHT? Pretty please?
Hi!
Damn, I gotta stop making drunk RUclips comments.
i think this movie is too short. The scenes are too rushed, so it is hard to grasp the characters. The ending was so abrupt, my dad and I broke out into laughter.
Picture This my family and I laughed our asses off when he threw that girl in the river and she dies in two inches of water.
Lol like she couldn't just walk out.
But I know you don't like musicals.
Fire... not good!!