Dr. Frankenstein dares to tamper with life and death by creating a human monster out of lifeless body parts.Dr. Frankenstein dares to tamper with life and death by creating a human monster out of lifeless body parts.Dr. Frankenstein dares to tamper with life and death by creating a human monster out of lifeless body parts.
- Writers
- John L. Balderston(based upon the composition by)
- Mary Shelley(from the novel by)
- Peggy Webling(adapted from the play by)
- Stars
- Writers
- John L. Balderston(based upon the composition by)
- Mary Shelley(from the novel by)
- Peggy Webling(adapted from the play by)
- Stars
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)
- Writers
- John L. Balderston(based upon the composition by)
- Mary Shelley(from the novel by)
- Peggy Webling(adapted from the play by)
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaDuring production, there was some concern that seven-year-old Marilyn Harris, who played Maria, the little girl thrown into the lake by The Monster, would be overly frightened by the sight of Boris Karloff in costume and make-up when it came time to shoot the scene. When the cast was assembled to travel to the location, Harris ran from her car directly up to Karloff, who was in full make-up and costume, took his hand, and asked "May I drive with you?" Delighted, and in typical Karloff fashion, he responded, "Would you, darling?" She then rode to the location with "The Monster".
- 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, The 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)
Review
Featured review
Classic Monster Movie
"We are about to unfold the story of Frankenstein, a man of science who sought to create a man after his own image without reckoning upon God. It is one of the strangest tales ever told. It deals with the two great mysteries of creation – life and death. I think it will thrill you. It may shock you. It might even – horrify you. So if any of you feel that you do not care to subject your nerves to such a strain, now's your chance to – uh, well, we warned you". -Edward Van Sloan.
Although this movie does not shock or thrill, it fascinates. The movie's cast is well worth repeating, Colin Clive, Boris Karloff, Mae Clarke, Edward Van Sloan, ETC. The movie contains obvious hints to German Expressionism, as the production team was inspired by films like Nosferatu, or The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari. The Gothic style fits the setting and the sets work beautifully. This movie would forever solidify Frankenstein in media and launched Boris Karloff into stardom. Although there is no musical score,it still works well without it as the horrifying scenes are much more emphasized than if it had music. All in all, this is a movie everyone should see, if you haven't seen it, go ahead and view this masterpiece. If you have seen it, now is the time for you to watch it again. "However, if you do not care to put your nerves in such a strain, now's your chance to-uh, well, we warned you".
Although this movie does not shock or thrill, it fascinates. The movie's cast is well worth repeating, Colin Clive, Boris Karloff, Mae Clarke, Edward Van Sloan, ETC. The movie contains obvious hints to German Expressionism, as the production team was inspired by films like Nosferatu, or The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari. The Gothic style fits the setting and the sets work beautifully. This movie would forever solidify Frankenstein in media and launched Boris Karloff into stardom. Although there is no musical score,it still works well without it as the horrifying scenes are much more emphasized than if it had music. All in all, this is a movie everyone should see, if you haven't seen it, go ahead and view this masterpiece. If you have seen it, now is the time for you to watch it again. "However, if you do not care to put your nerves in such a strain, now's your chance to-uh, well, we warned you".
helpful•230
- pitsburghfuzz
- Aug 7, 2009
Details
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- 1 hour 10 minutes
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