"Frankenstein" is a highly entertaining, action-packed, and suspenseful version of the Mary Shelley classic. The sets, makeup, and cinematography are excellent, and more than enough to compensate for the hammy acting and sensational storyline.
Dr. Frankenstein (Colin Clive), a young man
obsessed with bringing the dead to life, and his
loyal hunchbacked assistant Fritz (Dwight Frye)
troll the graveyards for corpses. They have
assembled a composite corpse which is brought to
life during an electrical storm. Unfortunately,
the former corpse (Boris Karloff) is a violent
monster with a criminal's brain. This being a
film, the monster escapes to terrorize the rural
German countryside, spoiling the wedding of Dr.
Frankenstein to blonde mother substitute Mae
Clarke.
There is much to enjoy about "Frankenstein". The
sets, especially the laboratory, the mill, and
the German village, are excellent. The
performances of Clive, Frye and Karloff are so
memorable that they defined the stereotypes
(respectively) of the mad scientist, his
hunchbacked assistant (more often named 'Igor'),
and Frankenstein's monster. Ironically, Karloff
in later years would be acknowledged for his
perfect-diction speaking voice (e.g. "The Grinch
who Stole Christmas") but here his character, in
the role that made him famous, only gets to grunt.
Although it was only James Whales' third film as
a director, he has the touch of a master. The
close-ups of Clive and (especially) Karloff are
effective, and the scene with the peasant
(Michael Mark) carrying his lifeless daughter
(Marilyn Harris) through the astonished village
may be the best in the film. Comic relief is
provided by Frederick Kerr as Dr. Frankenstein's
curmudgeony father.
Universal Studios felt the need to soften the
impact of this early horror film. Edward Van
Sloan, who has a small role as Frankenstein's
precise university professor, begins
"Frankenstein" with an introduction warning the
faint of heart to exit the theatre. To Whale's
distress, the scene with Karloff tossing Harris
into the lake was cut (although it has since been
restored). The ending was also modified, with Dr.
Frankenstein surviving to see a happy ending with
Clarke. (79/100)
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