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.

Distinctively Named

The Terror (1963)? Congrats to the directors on making the most generic horror title (yes, five directors shot this in four days). Well, what first peaked my interest in this movie was the unusual cast. An old Boris Karloff and a young Jack Nicholson taking the lead roles. Weird to be sure, and probably the only reason to watch it. Now don't think I outright hated The Terror, but after the awe of seeing those legendary actors together you're left with just a boring story. Never have I had my forty winks during a movie, and this coming from the guy who was enthralled by every moment of 2001: A Space Odyssey. Granted, before watching I had just got back from an exam and a dull chemistry lecture. Maybe if I had started refreshed I would've lasted ten more minutes. But in the end I watched all of it. It just took longer than I thought it would.

So a lost Napoleon officer Andre (played by Nicholson) is weary from wandering around. He finds a woman named Helene and she gives him some fresh water. She starts walking into the sea and Andre chases after her only to get attacked by a angry hawk. Just go with it for now. After being rescued again by another woman (a little older this time) and tells him there was no Helene. Curiously enough the pet bird of hers is named Helene. Well Andre leaves a bit frustrated and comes across a large manor. Take a guess who lives there. Boris Karloff of course. Really you should have known that. And again Andre sees Helene and again he's told he's seeing things by the Baron (Karloff) this time. The rest of the movie has Andre searching the mystery behind the ghost lady.

Right, it stars Jack Nicholson, but the reason you haven't heard of it before is probably due to the fact that Jack wasn't near his prime yet. He delivers lines and that's about it. Sometimes he can even be early. But he's not the biggest problem here. Remember when I mentioned how many directors took the reigns to this mess? That probably didn't help. Scenes change in choppy fashion. And the story itself feels like they made it up as they went along. Actually, according to another review that's basically what happened. Towards the last thirty minutes so many twists and pure randomness just had me laughing. So the beginning's a bore and the end is ridiculous. If you know what you're getting into or just want to see the start of Nicholson's career or the winding down of Karloff's it might be worth a watch.