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| An eerie, feature-filled, handcrafted poster for James Whale's Frankenstein, which is beautiful and distinctly from a bygone era |
The people around Dr. Frankenstein worry about him, but his greatest experiment is almost done; he is daring to reanimate life!
Frankenstein, directed by great English filmmaker James Whale (Show Boat (1936)), has a complex list of authorship: Based most directly on the same-titled 1818 novel by Mary Shelley (Mathilda (1819)), it also is inspired by the same-titled play by Peggy Webling (Verses to Men (1920, novel)) and a composition by John L. Balderston (Gaslight (1944, screenplay)). It is written by Garrett Fort (Private Scandal (1934)) and Francis Edward Faragoh (Too Young to Marry (1931)), with uncredited contributions by John Russell (Dangerous Money (1924)) and Robert Florey (A Study in Scarlet (1933)) and editing writer's work by Richard Schayer (Apache Rifles (1964, story)).
The film is fascinating right off the bat; its staging is accomplished, featuring unforgettable photography (by cinematographers Arthur Edeson (The Fighting O'Flynn (1949)) and Paul Ivano (The Lawless Years (1959-61))), production design and iconographic makeup.
The acting is seamless; in particular Boris Karloff (The Mummy (1932)) as the kind monster and Colin Clive (Jane Eyre (1934)) as its tormented creator stand out, but also Frederick Kerr (The Lifeguardsman (1916)) as Frankenstein Sr., who is hilarious and breathes life into the film's luminous character.
Frankenstein is ripe with heavy themes; life, death, the sanctity of life, - and God. I only grasp without luck for some music in this distinguished classic, as well as for a bit longer running time, - since the story and execution could no doubt support it.
Related posts:
James Whale: The Bride of Frankenstein (1935) - The magnificent and mysterious monster bride
More Frankenstein: Frankenstein Meets the Wolf Man (1943) - Universal's first monster bash is low on frights but entertains
Watch a trailer for the film here
Cost: 262k $
Box office: 1.4 mil. $ (1932, rentals, likely just North America)
= Uncertain, but at least a big hit (returned in excess of 5.34 times its cost)
[Frankenstein was released 21 November (USA) and runs 71 minutes. Following the success of Dracula (1931), Universal were eager to make more lucrative horror pictures, and Whale was reportedly offered his choice of 30 adaptations, of which he chose Frankenstein. Shooting took place in California, including Los Angeles, and mainly in Universal's studio, from August - October 1931. The film was subject to censorship; the drowning girl scene was cut in half in some regions, and blasphemy objections were also levied against the film. It has been restored to its full length since. The film's full box office gross is not known for sure; one dubious Internet outlet lists it at 12 mil. $, (without anything to back it up.) Frankenstein returned in Bride of Frankenstein (1935), also by Whale and with Karloff. Whale returned first with The Impatient Maiden (1932). Mae Clarke (Broken Arrow (1957, TV-series)) returned in Three Wise Girls (1932), John Boles (Road to Happiness (1941)) in Good Sport (1931), Karloff in Tonight or Never (1931) and Clive in The Stronger Sex (1931). Frankenstein is certified fresh at 100 % with an 8.67/10 critical average at Rotten Tomatoes.]
What do you think of Frankenstein?
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