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Frankenstein (1931)
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Overview
User Rating:
Director:
Writers:
Release Date:
21 November 1931 (USA)
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Tagline:
A Monster Science Created - But Could Not Destroy! more
Plot:
Horror classic in which an obsessed scientist assembles a living being from parts of exhumed corpses. full summary | full synopsis
Plot Keywords:
Awards:
1 win
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NewsDesk:
(57 articles)
cinemadaily | The Invisible Auteur
(From indieWIRE. 4 December 2009, 7:52 AM, PST)
Beatty Hangs Onto "Dick Tracy"...
(From SneakPeek. 4 December 2009, 5:58 AM, PST)
(From indieWIRE. 4 December 2009, 7:52 AM, PST)
Beatty Hangs Onto "Dick Tracy"...
(From SneakPeek. 4 December 2009, 5:58 AM, PST)
User Comments:
Dated-yes, scary-sure, must see-absolutely !
more (227 total)
Cast
(Complete credited cast)| Colin Clive | ... | Dr. Henry Frankenstein | |
| Mae Clarke | ... | Elizabeth | |
| John Boles | ... | Victor Moritz | |
| Boris Karloff | ... | The Monster (as ?) | |
| Edward Van Sloan | ... | Dr. Waldman | |
| Frederick Kerr | ... | Baron Frankenstein | |
| Dwight Frye | ... | Fritz | |
| Lionel Belmore | ... | Herr Vogel | |
| Marilyn Harris | ... | Little Maria |
Additional Details
Parents Guide:
Runtime:
71 min
Country:
Colour:
Aspect Ratio:
1.37 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Mono (Western Electric Sound System)
Certification:
UK:A (original rating) (cut) |
UK:PG (video rating) (2002) |
UK:PG (video rating) (1986) (cinema version) (cut) |
Canada:PG (Manitoba/Ontario) |
Finland:K-15 (2004) |
Iceland:16 |
Spain:13 |
South Korea:12 |
Canada:(Banned) (Quebec) (original rating) |
Canada:G (Quebec) |
Norway:16 (video rating) |
Argentina:13 |
Australia:M |
Germany:16 |
Sweden:15 |
USA:Unrated
Filming Locations:
Company:
Fun Stuff
Trivia:
In one scene, the Monster (Boris Karloff) walks through a forest and comes upon a little girl, Maria, who is throwing flowers into a pond. The monster joins her in the activity but soon runs out of flowers. At a loss for something to throw into the water, he looks at Maria and moves toward her. In all American prints of the movie, the scene ends here. But as originally filmed, the action continues to show the monster grabbing Maria, hurling her into the lake, then departing in confusion when Maria fails to float as the flowers did. This bit was deleted because Karloff - objecting to the director's interpretation of the scene - felt that the monster should have gently put Maria into the lake. This scene is restored in the videocassette reissue.
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Goofs:
Plot holes: When Fritz steals the brain from the medical laboratory, it is in a jar very clearly labeled ABNORMAL BRAIN. Dr. Frankenstein should not have been startled to learn from Dr. Waldman that the brain he used was abnormal.
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Quotes:
Movie Connections:
Referenced in Van Helsing (2004)
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FAQ
How much sex, violence, and profanity are in this movie?How many other movie remakes of Mary Shelley's original story have been made?
When is it acceptable to call Frankenstein's monster "Frankenstein"?
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James Whale's original FRANKENSTEIN is a short but memorable horror classic that has influenced so many other fright flicks, it should be considered the Godfather of Horror Movies. This was the first of Universal Studios' moody screen adaptations of literary Gothic horror (the other being Dracula). Put all thoughts regarding Mary Shelly's novel aside and see this original work of art, with Boris Karloff bringing the ultimate monster to life.
The sets are a pure spin off of German Expressionism. The good Doctor Frankenstein's castle is twisted and distorted and seems to be not of this world. He is played by Colin Clive in a delightfully freakish performance. And, of course, the well-proportioned Fritz is there to help. Notice the signposts of evil in the opening grave robbing scenes. It is a prop-master's dream and the black and white photography displays a theatrical sense of spookiness. "It's Alive!" will live forever as one of the cinema's most familiar lines and the picture begins to sparkle as Karloff is brought to life. The influence of Fritz Lang's METROPOLIS is evident during the dazzling scene of the Monster's birth.
Boris Karloff is and always will be the prototypical Monster. The closeups of his face are truly frightening after all these years. He is walking death, however, Karloff gives him a hint of sadness, of a creature who was not meant to be. The flower-toss scene with the little girl was so controversial at the time of the film's release, it was cut from many versions. The new, restored print available on video has it.
I know FRANKENSTEIN has been spoofed many times and is wide-open to criticism regarding its dated look. Mel Brooks went so far as to use the actual props from Dr. Frankenstein's laboratory in his hilarious send-up, YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN. Be sure to keep an open mind and watch it in the dark. Boris Karloff and James Whale have created a monstrously fun film.