Dr Henry Frankenstein is obsessed with assembling a living being from parts of several exhumed corpses.Dr Henry Frankenstein is obsessed with assembling a living being from parts of several exhumed corpses.Dr Henry Frankenstein is obsessed with assembling a living being from parts of several exhumed corpses.
- Awards
- 4 wins & 3 nominations
Ted Billings
- Villager
- (uncredited)
Mae Bruce
- Screaming Maid
- (uncredited)
Jack Curtis
- Villager
- (uncredited)
Arletta Duncan
- Bridesmaid
- (uncredited)
William Dyer
- Gravedigger
- (uncredited)
Francis Ford
- Hans
- (uncredited)
Soledad Jiménez
- Mourner
- (uncredited)
Carmencita Johnson
- Little Girl
- (uncredited)
Seessel Anne Johnson
- Little Girl
- (uncredited)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThe Monster's make-up design by Jack P. Pierce is under copyright to Universal through the year 2026 and licensed by Universal Studios Licensing, Inc.
- GoofsAccording to DVD commentary for this film, director James Whale intended this film to take place in an "alternate universe" and therefore freely mixed 19th Century and 1930s technology, hair fashions, etc.
- Quotes
Henry Frankenstein: Look! It's moving. It's alive. It's alive... It's alive, it's moving, it's alive, it's alive, it's alive, it's alive, IT'S ALIVE!
Victor Moritz: Henry - In the name of God!
Henry Frankenstein: Oh, in the name of God! Now I know what it feels like to be God!
- Crazy creditsIn the opening credits: The Monster - ?
- Alternate versionsSPOILERS: The picture was scripted and filmed with Dr. Frankenstein seeming to die in the mill with his creation, but was instead released with a hastily re-shot happy ending, wherein Henry survives to marry Elizabeth (see "Trivia"). However, the sequel, Bride of Frankenstein (1935) literally followed the first scenario, and consequently just before "Bride" opened this film was reissued with the original finale restored. This movie was seen this way in all subsequent theatrical releases of the old Hollywood era, but when the entire package of classic Universal horror films was made available to television in the 1950s, the prints of the original movie carried the happy ending, and the incompatibility with the opening scene of "Bride..." confused new viewers.
- ConnectionsEdited into Boo! (1932)
Featured review
The genesis of all monster movies
I see that there are several who see this movie and say it "sucks". They are obviously looking at this either to be a faithful representation of Shelley's book or have complaints about the fact that it's black and white or some other disdain about the technical prowess of the movie.
In 1931 special effects were still in a very infantile state. Effects artists did not have the "squibs" used today to simulate gunshots. Instead they used sharp shooters who actually shot towards the actors to get the effect needed.
Jack Pierce's makeup is a marvel for its time. Even today the full method of the makeup Karloff wore is unknown. This is the monster that people see when they think of the name Frankenstein. All others are mere "melted" faces.
But while the makeup is fabulous, it wouldn't have meant anything without the talent of Karloff behind it. This is great acting because of the limitations put upon the character. Karloff could only emote with grunts, facial expressions and body language. Yet he showed the anger, the happiness, the innocence and the tragedy that the Creature needed to show the audience. If you are one of those who saw this picture and did not like it, watch it again and REALLY watch Karloff's performance.
I don't see this as a horror movie, although there are horrific elements. Interestingly enough, I don't see horror so much in the Creature as I do in the actions of Fritz, Frankenstein's malformed assistance. Fritz, a troll of a man only finds solace in tormenting the Creature with a torch and pays for his actions with his death.
It is supsenseful when the search is on for the Creature, when Henry and company search through the house looking for the creature. Where is it? What does he want? What will he do? The creature's motives are made clear with the terrorization of Elizabeth.
And while Elizabeth doesn't die as she does in the book, you can see Karloff's portrayal anger as he looks upon her. You can see that the Creature hates Henry so much he hates the bride of Henry.
Indeed, this is a movie that has great pathos, drama, and suspense for those who would look for them. Truly, one of the greatest movies ever made.
Thomas Edison made the first Frankenstein movie and there were other silent versions before James Whale's version. But they were forgotten in the masterpiece that was given to use nearly 70 years ago.
In 1931 special effects were still in a very infantile state. Effects artists did not have the "squibs" used today to simulate gunshots. Instead they used sharp shooters who actually shot towards the actors to get the effect needed.
Jack Pierce's makeup is a marvel for its time. Even today the full method of the makeup Karloff wore is unknown. This is the monster that people see when they think of the name Frankenstein. All others are mere "melted" faces.
But while the makeup is fabulous, it wouldn't have meant anything without the talent of Karloff behind it. This is great acting because of the limitations put upon the character. Karloff could only emote with grunts, facial expressions and body language. Yet he showed the anger, the happiness, the innocence and the tragedy that the Creature needed to show the audience. If you are one of those who saw this picture and did not like it, watch it again and REALLY watch Karloff's performance.
I don't see this as a horror movie, although there are horrific elements. Interestingly enough, I don't see horror so much in the Creature as I do in the actions of Fritz, Frankenstein's malformed assistance. Fritz, a troll of a man only finds solace in tormenting the Creature with a torch and pays for his actions with his death.
It is supsenseful when the search is on for the Creature, when Henry and company search through the house looking for the creature. Where is it? What does he want? What will he do? The creature's motives are made clear with the terrorization of Elizabeth.
And while Elizabeth doesn't die as she does in the book, you can see Karloff's portrayal anger as he looks upon her. You can see that the Creature hates Henry so much he hates the bride of Henry.
Indeed, this is a movie that has great pathos, drama, and suspense for those who would look for them. Truly, one of the greatest movies ever made.
Thomas Edison made the first Frankenstein movie and there were other silent versions before James Whale's version. But they were forgotten in the masterpiece that was given to use nearly 70 years ago.
helpful•80
- vbalbert-2
- Oct 21, 1999
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Official site
- Languages
- Also known as
- Frankenštajn
- Filming locations
- Malibou Lake, Agoura, California, USA(creature and young girl by the lake scene)
- Production company
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Budget
- $291,000 (estimated)
- Gross worldwide
- $1,626
- Runtime1 hour 10 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.37 : 1
Contribute to this page
Suggest an edit or add missing content