Frankenstein Movie Review 1931

The definitive expressionistic Gothic horror classic that set the mold. Adapted from the Mary Shelley novel about Dr. Henry Frankenstein (Clive), the scientist who creates a terrifying, yet strangely sympathetic monster aided by his hunchbacked assistant, Fritz (Frye). Great performance by Karloff as the creation, which made him a monster star (in part, thanks to Jack Pierce's makeup). Several powerful scenes, excised from the original version, have been restored, including that of young Maria (Marilyn Harris), who is spotted by the monster innocently picking flowers by a pond. The first in the Universal series.

Distribution

Home Vision Cinema, c/o Image Entertainment, 20525 Nordhoff St., Ste. 200, Chatsworth, CA 91311, URL: http://www.homevision.com

Available on VHS, DVD
Running time 71 minutes.

Cast and Crew

Genres

Classic Horror, Mad Scientists, Frankenstein, Books to Film: Mary Shelley, Restored Footage, Fires, Universal Studios' Classic Horror, Making Friends, Period Piece: 19th Century, 4 Bones

Screenplay

Garrett Fort, John Lloyd Balderston, Robert Florey, Francis Edwards Faragoh

Cast

Boris Karloff, Colin Clive, Mae Clarke, John Boles, Dwight Frye, Edward Van Sloan, Frederick Kerr, Lionel Belmore, Arletta Duncan

Cinematography

Arthur Edeson

Director

James Whale

Music

David Broeckman

Other

Kenneth Strickfaden

Producer

Mark Huffam

Awards

AFI 1998: Top 100, Natl. Film Reg. 1991.