Review #7 - Frankenstein (1931)
“I was benevolent and good; misery made me a fiend.'
Total Score: 15/23
I can’t believe it took me so long to get around to watching this! And just in time for Del Toro’s film, too!
The introduction is great fun - ‘I think it will thrill you!’ - a good shout, I’d say. Deeply enjoyed The Monster as an unknown casting, how mysterious… though not for me, nearly a hundred years on. I was waiting patiently on my sofa for Boris Karloff to blunder through a door or crush someone’s windpipe from the get-go.
I adored the great big fuck-off lamppost that the priest has in the opening funeral scene. Just pure gothic vibes all round. The addition of Fritz is also interesting; he is well cast, and his cane and limp make him memorable. He is, of course, a staple of Frankenstein and Dracula media these days, though more often than not he is Igor (or should I say Eyegor).
Henry’s dead eye contact into the screen surprised and amused me every time. I was surprised too by the montage of collecting body parts, though I’m not entirely sure why. Enjoyed it intensely though! The “abnormal brain” scene particularly stood out as a reference that was lost on me in my last horror watch- Young Frankenstein (1974). Might have to rewatch it once I’ve got some more Franken-films under my belt. I also enjoyed the secondary choice of brain being full of ‘brutality and murder’ (or something like that). Bodes well, eh? The skeleton shadow on the wall in this scene was great fun, too.
Elizabeth, played wonderfully by Mae Clarke, sports some excellent earrings and propels us into the story. She and her rather offputting chum Victor (yes, Victor, confusingly) are worried about Henry (yes, you read that right too) Frankenstein falling into madness. We get a throwaway reference to galvanism - propelling muscles to twitch using electric currents - which made my internal nerd grin - and then we’ve got our core cast built.
The visual designs of Shelley’s “instruments of life” are great. I see the influence on a hundred films I’ve seen before this one, from Vanhelsing (2004), a personal favourite, to Tim Burton’s own take on The Creature, Frankenweenie. The tower they bring the experiment to fruition in is also fantastic. The scale is really well-done.
Something I found myself asking was did this film bring about the lighting-strike trope - the dark and stormy night that we so often see in Franken-media? Having done a little reading, it seems this is indeed the case! Bonus points for that, surely.
A further surprise came to me as our core trio turned up, came in to see the experiment, only for us to not even see the lighting strike! However this quickly left my mind in the wake of Henry’s eloquent but crazed monologuing. I love this version of the character, I must say. I think I counted ten utterances of ‘IT’S ALIVE!!!!!!’. Perfect amount.
The Creature is soon walking around, reaching out for the sun. It’s quick to learn, it seems. Quicker, though, to suffer, as Fritz shackles and whips it. I was pleased how quickly after this he’s murdered. Cathartic as you’d hope for Frankenstein. By this time I was almost rooting for the Creature to choke his creator to death, but alas. However, the cleverness and controlled nature of some of the violence is really interesting. It contrasts with the horrible flopping and flapping of the re-animated hands. Great physical performance by Karloff.
Short side note, but Baron Frankenstein was cracking me up. What a strange character he is.
Back to the important points, Maria had me on edge the minute she smiles up at us. The film is bombing along by now and though we see The Creature grin and throw flowers around, it’s pretty clear flower-pressing isn’t where this is going. Despite my prior knowledge of the events I was still appalled seeing Maria die - and even more so at her limp, lolling corpse.
We jump straight to some exciting dancing and Elizabeth’s lovely dress from these shocking scenes. However, before long everything’s hit the fan. Not that much though, as Elizabeth survives her run-in with Big Tall and Re-Animated. I did find myself wanting some talking from the grunting, moaning beast, but then that isn’t what you watch an adaptation for - sometimes less is more and all that.
Maria’s sad dad took me out. Seriously rough going. Excellent acting all round in this film, from main and side characters alike.
The shot of Karloff rising up from behind the rock to glare down at his creator was true horror cinema. No notes - just a definitive moment.
Now, not to dwell too much on my years of missed references and pop-culture failings, but man, I’ve seen that windmill scene before (if you know, you know - I even mentioned the film in this review). I really should have got to this sooner, and I’m extremely pleased I’ve seen it now. What a fascinating and accessible film. Now it’s time to crack on with the sequel!
To end, I’ll just quote my notes verbatim from time of watching, “HOW IS THAT THE END OF THE FILM?”
As ever, thanks for reading,
Until next time,
H.E.
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Excited for you to watch & review Bride now…
Great review, can’t wait for the del Toro movie!