The tone is set for Frankenstein is set at the beginning. Henry Frankenstein, (Colin Clive), and his assistant, Fritz, (Dwight Frye), rob a freshly dug grave. The cemetery is full of foreboding statues, and religious symbols. They even cut down a hanged man’s body. They leave it, because it can’t be used. Henry Frankenstein doesn’t respect the dead, nor the living. He is only obsessed with creating life from dead body parts.
Frankenstein comes from a respected family. He has a beautiful fiancé, Elizabeth, (Mae Clarke), and a devoted friend, Victor Moritz, (John Boles). Baron Frankenstein, (Frederick Kerr), is the patriarch. He gives some comic relief, to an otherwise straight horror film. Elizabeth, Victor and Dr. Waldman, (Edward Van Sloan), go to Henry’s laboratory. Dr. Waldman, was Frankenstein’s teacher at the university. Waldman explains that Henry was expelled, for his theories, about creating life.
Frankenstein is happy to demonstrate that he can create life. During a thunderstorm, he allows the body to be a lighting rod. Frankenstein and Fritz lower the body, and wait for signs of life. The two aren’t disappointed. There is life. In one of the best scenes in a horror movie, Frankenstein declares, It’s alive, several times. Henry is so delirious, that he proclaims, that he knows what its like, to be God. Elizabeth and Victor leave. Dr. Waldman, stays to assist Frankenstein.
The monster, (Boris Karloff), is shown walking backwards, and then slowly turning to face the camera. The audience, for the first time sees its face. It is a masterpiece by makeup artist, Jack Pierce. Frankenstein was one of Pierce’s creations. He also did the makeup for the sequels, as well as The Mummy, The Wolfman and the remake of The Phantom of the Opera. Karloff endured the transformation from man into monster, for several hours, each day. Boris Karloff, also had to wear very uncomfortable boots. He puts forth much effort portraying Frankenstein’s creation. The monster doesn’t speak, so Karloff, effectively shows his pantomime skills. These are particularly evident when tortured by Fritz, with fire, and later, during the burning windmill scene. The monster later kills Fritz, which causes a mental breakdown for Frankenstein. While the mad scientist, is recovering, at the family castle, Dr. Waldman takes charge of the monster. He decides to perform an autopsy. The monster objects, and kills the doctor. He then leaves and wanders the countryside. The monster, comes across a little girl, Maria who he kills. The grieving father, carries her body through the village, while a celebration of Frankenstein and Elizabeth’s wedding is taking place. Everyone is horrified, and The Burgomaster, (Lionel Belmore), organizes the men, to hunt down the monster. Frankenstein’s creation confronts his creator, leading to what appears be the deranged scientist’s demise. He is tossed from a windmill. The villagers, who have had a torchlight parade, torch the windmill, with the monster trapped inside. This horror movie, was shown to a test audience. There was a strong negative reaction to the ending. The studio then changed it to a happier ending, with Frankenstein recovering from his wounds.
Frankenstein, is a masterpiece of horror. It is better than Dracula. It sends a message, that was in the the Mary Shelley novel. That is, that no one should play God. The movie is a very loose adaptation of the book. The sets, such as the laboratory, create an atmosphere, that was used for years. It also created the sequel. Several were made. Some were good, others not so much. The acting of Colin Clive, is over the top at times. He does establish the template for misguided scientists, who attempt things, that are better left alone. Boris Karloff, in the beginning credits, is listed as a question mark. His performance, deservedly so, is credited, at the end. The beginning credits have eyeballs, and other body parts revolving. It is a way by the production team of making a statement about the film’s content. There is also an introduction, at the beginning. Edward Van Sloan states to the audience, that Frankenstein may be disturbing, and to watch at your own risk.
Frankenstein’s enduring legacy, was made possible by its director, James Whale. This was the first horror movie he directed. He gives the right amount of suspense, by slowly showing the monster’s face. The windmill/laboratory has an innovative thunder effect, and is very ominous. He creates an incredible lightning scene, that gives birth to the monster. The scene where the monster wanders the castle looking for Frankenstein is well done. The sound and the scenes of the monster ,looking for his creator can inspire fear. Whale also was not the first choice by the studio. Robert Florey was the studio’s original choice. He didn’t like the script, and backed out. This always makes a director’s job, even harder. Whale was up to the challenge. It also helped, that the original script was changed: making Frankenstein’s creation, more human, than monster. James Whale, with Frankenstein, created the horror film.
All horror films lead back to Frankenstein. This classic is the reference point, for effects, acting and directing a horror film. Movies that are classified as horror, have three key elements. They are atmosphere, suspense, and a threat. This movie has that, and then some. Anyone who has an interest in horror films, should see Frankenstein first.