The Classic UNIVERSAL Monster Series: FRANKENSTEIN!!!
1931 would prove to be a banner year for the horror film because in addition to "Drac" Universal would unleash on the world that other even longer legged Horror/Science Fiction franchise with James Whale's immortal FRANKENSTEIN. Mary Shelly's novel launched onto the silver screen a character that would carry through 8 films for Universal, and make a master of terror out of mild mannered English actor Boris Karloff. John L. Balderston adapted the famous novel to the screen.
Dwight Frye plays Fritz the grave robber and Colin Clive depicted the crazed scientist . Jack Pierce created the fantastic look of the morose creature. The popular "monster" would become the 1st of Aurora's wildly successful monster model kits in 1961. An original 11"x14" title card for this classic genre film graces the wall of Harry's and my livingroom. There would be 5 official releases of this title each with totally new poster designs in '31, '38, '51, '61, and '74.
A few years later in 1935 Whale would direct the blockbuster BRIDE OF FRANKENSTEIN for the studio. With Karloff again appearing as the sympathetic yet horrifying creature. "We... belong, dead," he would mutter to his proposed bride. Elsa Lancaster's bride is both beautiful and grotesque. Dwight Frye's Karl is perfect, as is Una O'Connor.
Colin Clive returned as the mad doctor and John Carradine has a small part as a hunter. The extraordinary Jack Pierce returned to design the makeup and Balderston again penned the screenplay. The phenomenal Franz Waxman wrote the score which was lifted for use in several other horror flicks over the years. It would be reissued with new poster art in 1953 as both a single feature and as a drive-in double bill with "Son". Our 16mm trailer for "Bride" never fails to excite viewers at our backyard film parties.
SON OF FRANKENSTEIN in 1939 would be the last time Karloff would wear the Jack Pierce makeup as the monster. It would also introduce us to one of Bela Lugosi's best roles, Igor the twisted and warped friend to the creature. Inspector Krogh is played by Lionel Atwill and Dwight Frye can be seen as a villager. The prolific Frank Skinner penned the musical score. "Son" was re-released in '53 singlely and as a double feature with "Bride". Both carried new advertising paper. This is another feature we own on 16mm, a real crowd pleaser.
1942 brought us the GHOST OF FRANKENSTEIN and a new miscreant, Lon Chaney, Jr. would endure the hours in makeup for this one feature only. Igor's role was expanded and Bela returned to lead our hapless title character on a trail of vengeance and murder. Lionel Atwill appeared as Dr. Bohmer and Dwight Frye returns as a villager. Evelyn Ankers provided the love interest.
Our durable villain, played by Lugosi this time, would return to take on a new nemesis in one of my favorites in the series FRANKENSTEIN MEETS THE WOLF MAN in 1943. Russian actress Maria Ouspenskaya played Maleva the old gypsy woman. Rudi, the Vasarian, is played by Dwight Frye in his 5th "Frank" role. The original '43 insert movie poster for FMTWM is currently hanging above my work station as I write. There was a whole line of new posters when the title was re-released in 1950.
Karloff returned to the succession of movies as mad scientist Dr. Neimann in 1944's HOUSE OF FRANKENSTEIN. This marked the first appearance of Glenn Strange as the lead character in the Pierce makeup, you may remember him as the long standing bartender of the "Gunsmoke" TV series. Lionel Atwill returns, this time as Inspector Arnz and George Zucco is Professor Lampini. Curt Siodmak was the writer of this motion picture. There was a military issued duo-tone 1-sht. and 1950 also saw the reissue of this flick with all new posters gracing the lobbies of theaters across the country.
Glen Strange returned as the monster in 1945's other "house of" flick, HOUSE OF DRACULA, and also he played the role in '48's farce ABBOTT AND COSTELLO MEET FRANKENSTEIN which was officially released a second time in 1956 with additional movie paper. We have a 12minute short in 16mm of AACMF. It has the wonderful opening titles animation and nearly all of the gags.
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