Initial release date: November 21, 1931
Studios: Universal Pictures
Plot: This iconic horror film follows the obsessed scientist Dr. Henry Frankenstein as he attempts to create life by assembling a creature from body parts of the deceased. Aided by his loyal misshapen assistant, Fritz, Frankenstein succeeds in animating his monster, but it escapes into the countryside and begins to wreak havoc. Frankenstein searches for the elusive being and eventually must confront his tormented creation.
Cast
Colin Clive - Henry Frankenstein
Mae Clarke - Elizabeth
John Boles - Victor Moritz
Boris Karloff - The Monster
Edward Van Sloan - Dr. Waldman
Frederick Kerr - Baron Frankenstein
Dwight Frye - Fritz
Lionel Belmore - The Burgomaster
Marilyn Harris - Little Maria
Writer(s): Garrett Fort (The Mark of Zorro; Dracula's Daughter; Dracula)
Francis Edward Faragoh
Mary Shelley (from the novel by)
John L. Balderston (based upon the composition by)
Peggy Webling (adapted from the play by)
Director: James Whale (Bride of Frankenstein; The Invisible Man)
Not Rated (71 minutes)
Not long ago, I finally had the chance to check out the black and white classics Frankenstein and Bride of Frankenstein. I ultimately want to go through all of the Universal Monster films at some point. Now, let's get to my quick take of 1931s Frankenstein.
The 1931 classic is a very great watch even though at times it can be a little on the silly side - but not too much. There are quite a few moments that are brilliant and is definitely one of the best early monster films out there!
Boris Karloff did an outstanding job as Frankenstein's monster and his portrayal will always be really iconic. The look and make up of the creature is also iconic and truly memorable.
Now, even though this film (and Bride of Frankenstein) isn't as scary as any of the monster films that are released today, it's still really intriguing and could still be scary for some viewers. The ending of the film where the villagers try to get the monster is quite infamous.
Frankenstein and Bride of Frankenstein can be streamed on Peacock through the end of the month.
The Monster's make-up design by Jack P. Pierce is under copyright to Universal through the year 2026 and licensed by Universal Studios Licensing, Inc.
While preparing to film the scene where the monster attacks Elizabeth, Mae Clarke admitted to Boris Karloff that she was worried that when she saw him in full makeup coming towards her, she might really be frightened. Karloff told her that throughout the scene he would wiggle his pinkie finger out of sight of the camera so that, despite the horrific makeup, she could always see her friend Boris waving at her and letting her know that she was safe.
The Monster in this film does not physically resemble the character in Mary Shelley's novel. It was make-up artist Jack P. Pierce who came up with innovations such as the Monster's flat head, the bolts through the neck, the droopy eyelids, and the poorly-fitted suit. Any future Frankenstein film (or parodies, such as 'The Munsters') that features any of these physical abnormalities takes its inspiration from Pierce's make-up work.
A 20-minute test reel, starring Bela Lugosi as The Monster and directed by Robert Florey, was filmed on the Dracula (1931) sets. This footage has not been seen since 1931 and is considered lost. Only a poster, featuring the vague likeness of Lugosi as a 30-foot colossus, remains.
The first film to use the famous Castle Thunder sound effect.
The most difficult aspect of casting was The Monster. James Whale happened to spot Boris Karloff in the Universal commissary and passed him a note offering a screen-test, which Karloff jumped at. Karloff later joked that he was offended by being viewed as such an ugly character, since on the day that Whale spotted him, he was wearing his most elegant suit and thought he was looking handsome.
Mary Shelley was only 19 years old when she wrote the novel.
The leading character of Mary Shelley's book, Dr. Victor Frankenstein, was renamed Henry for the movie because it was decided Victor would sound too "severe" and "unfriendly" to American audiences at the time.
Boris Karloff is considered a late bloomer in Hollywood. Frankenstein (1931) premiered when he was 44 years old.
The movie's line "It's alive! It's alive!" was voted as the #49 movie quote by the American Film Institute (out of 100) in 2005.
In 1991, Frankenstein (1931) was added to the National Film Registry by the United States Library of Congress.
Technically not conceived as a "horror" movie, since the term "horror" as a film genre was first used in 1934.
During production, there was some concern that seven-year-old Marilyn Harris, who played Maria, the little girl thrown into the lake by The Monster, would be overly frightened by the sight of Boris Karloff in costume and make-up when it came time to shoot the scene. When the cast was assembled to travel to the location, Harris ran from her car directly up to Karloff, who was in full make-up and costume, took his hand, and asked "May I drive with you?" Delighted, and in typical Karloff fashion, he responded, "Would you, darling?" She then rode to the location with "The Monster."
Comments