Frankenstein...

My time on Blogger is very limited. I may occasionally re post, but to any readers I will have 3 more majors posts including this one. So the name of our blog is Misunderstood Monster. Why not talk about one of the earliest monsters to grace the big screen. As I described described in previous posts about Mary Shelley's novel about Frankenstein. It was also known as the Modern Prometheus which was the title Shelley originally wrote. I'll try not to complain about the several inaccuracies that are created by Universal Studios and director James Whale. However for 1931, this is a monumental classic and breakthrough in the movie industry.

This movie was the first step into terrifying audiences. This movie represented the fears and multiple new ideas that most people thought was horrific and nonexistent. The theory and idea of a dead person being reanimated was very frightening at the time. Many audiences could not handle this idea, but Universal may have avoided more of culture shock when they didn't give the creature an ability to care and have emotions like Shelley intended. The monster in this film was given not a whole lot to work with. He is the embodiment of the Misunderstand Monster.

This movie starts off with Henry Frankenstein becoming obsessed with creating life. I think we all know the story. The names are all switched around because of the Shelley rights or something. I assume they knew this wasn't exactly true to the story. Frankenstein has a good friend named Victor and a love interest named Elizabeth. Henry also has what is now a stereotypical hunchback assistant. Fritz is the cause of unethical treatment of animals most likely. After the creature is created, Fritz decides to taunt it with a flaming torch. Not smart on Fritz's fault. There's also a pretty epic flaming windmill scene at the end. Very impressive move overall for 1931. We also got the lines "It's alive!" and one of the most recognizable Halloween costumes from this film as well. Very groundbreaking for an old-timey black and white 71 minute film. Not too mention launching Boris Karloff's career into eternal Hollywood and horror fame. He had worked in 40 previous features before landing this job.

Why is the monster the embodiment of a Misunderstood Monster. Well he roams around aimlessly throughout the entire movie. He's deathly afraid of fire. He didn't know that little girl wouldn't float. I mean how innocent can this guy be. Not to mention he was given a criminal brain to work with. Stupid Fritz. Everyone in town wanting to burn you and attack with those pesky pitchforks.

This is a very unique movie from unique time. Definitely dated, but who can complain? Some of my favorite movies from 10 years ago are dated now. If you never scene it's fascinating to see how this was the truly first major horror movie in comparison to Universal's Dracula that was released that same year. German Horror movies like Nosferatu may have been the first, but Universal made a name for themselves with their monster movies.