film summary

This is the one horror flick that set the standard for all horror films to follow. It starts off with a strange little prelude with Mary Shelley and Lord Byron, discussing the first film, and she continues the story. Frankenstein's monster lives! Not only in the film but in cinematic imfamy! Boris Karloff plays the role of his career, and deserved an Oscar for humanizing the terrible creature. Lugosi, Strange and Chaney Jr. all tried their hand in the Pierce make-up, but none could follow in Boris' ample footsteps. Every horror cliche' was actually started in this film (and the original as well) The dark castle, lightning on a stormy night, mad scientists, ghoulish creatues haunting graveyards, the laboratory with bubbling test tubes....BOF has it all. And what a story, as a mate is made for the lonely monster. James Whale used wicked humor to tell a tale of unrequited love. Dr. Pretorious is the quintessential mad scientist, as is Colin Clive. Watch for the scene in the laboratory where they are making the bride. It is sheer genius, complete with the "terrific storm", kites and the evil equipment, as the body is raised, I become 7 years old again, a fascinated child once again! And the musical score is haunting. The end is especially tragic as the audience begins to root for the creature. They may truly "belong dead" but this beautiful piece of cinematic history will live forever.