7.5
Tampering with life and death, Henry Frankenstein pieces together salvaged body parts to bring a human monster to life; the mad scientist's dreams are shattered by his creation's violent rage as the monster awakens to a world in which he is unwelcome.
Colin Clive
Henry Frankenstein
Mae Clarke
Elizabeth
John Boles
Victor Moritz
Boris Karloff
The Monster
Edward Van Sloan
Doctor Waldman
Frederick Kerr
Baron Frankenstein
Dwight Frye
Fritz
Lionel Belmore
The Burgomaster
Marilyn Harris
Little Maria
Ted Billings
Villager (uncredited)
Mae Bruce
Screaming Maid (uncredited)
Jack Curtis
Villager (uncredited)
Arletta Duncan
Bridesmaid (uncredited)
William Dyer
Gravedigger (uncredited)
Francis Ford
Hans (uncredited)
Soledad Jiménez
Mourner (uncredited)
Carmencita Johnson
Little Girl (uncredited)
Seessel Anne Johnson
Little Girl (uncredited)
Margaret Mann
Mourner (uncredited)
Michael Mark
Ludwig (uncredited)
Pauline Moore
Bridesmaid (uncredited)
Inez Palange
Villager (uncredited)
Paul Panzer
Mourner (uncredited)
Cecilia Parker
Maid (uncredited)
Rose Plumer
Villager (uncredited)
Cecil Reynolds
Waldman's Secretary (uncredited)
Ellinor Vanderveer
Medical Student (uncredited)
Robert Milasch
Villager (uncredited)
Director
James Whale
Novel
Mary Shelley
Screenplay
Francis Edward Faragoh
Screenplay
Garrett Fort
Script Editor
Richard Schayer
Theatre Play
Peggy Webling
October 4, 2018
8
Frankenstein, a movie primarily about how Doctor Henry Frankenstein deals with the fallout of his monster actually coming to life, holds up very well almost ninety years from its release.
Starting with the monster itself, we find a fantastic character. Without any lines of dialogue, the filmmakers and Boris Karloff had to use actions and emotions to display the motivations of the monster, and they did a fantastic job of it. The fear, confusion, and longing that the novel describes are evident in the monster's actions, to the point of pushing the audience to root for him.
The rest of the characters are also a bit of fun. Baron Frankenstein, played by Fred Kerr, was also a hoot. He played a no-nonsense character that functioned well in the comic-relief role needed with Edward Van Sloan's Dr. Wladman and Mae Clarke's Elizabeth being quite serious, even dramatic. Colin Clive, the man who played Doctor Henry, did a decent job in his role as well, pulling off the role of being consumed by his work, even when he desired to be free from it.
The acting, overall, was a touch more theatrical than I would prefer in a horror movie, but it wasn't so distracting that it pulled me out of the film. The film is a ton of fun to watch, but I do have to say it isn't exactly terrifying. The atmospheric creepiness is somewhat lacking compared to modern-era horror, even going back fifty years. That being said, the movie, if thought about and rewatched, does a good job of displaying how the fear of the unknown, and letting that fear take over, can be the real monster.
Status:
Released
Original Language:
English
Budget:
$291,000.00
Revenue:
$12,000,000.00