I would watch Bride of Frankenstein first then Young Frankenstein. You will get the jokes better.The movies i gave you before are still valid but as for the Universal monster classics...Bride Of Frankenstein, The Wolf-man, Dracula and The Creature from the Black Lagoon are a staple and a good watch at night. Other classics are the original Godzilla (the original japan cut), Black Sunday and Horror of Dracula. All these are foreign classic horror movies and are top on the list of horror film buffs. I know you are getting bombarded with tittles just pick out what sounds good to you.
@@ReelReviewsWithJen I read the book as well as "Dracula" in middle school. I grew up reading comic books and mythology, all these bigger than life characters. I had all the plastic models too including robots, Godzilla, King Kong, the works. This was Saturday afternoon TV movie fare.
@@ReelReviewsWithJen Please react to The Creature From The Black Lagoon (1954) Dracula (1931) The Bride Of Frankenstein (1935) The Mummy(1932) The Invisible Man (1933) The Wolfman (1941)
The movie was entirely shot at Universal Studios, mostly on sets built for this production. The village scenes were filmed at the Universal's backlot's "European street".
I recommend watching "Bride of Frankenstein" before seeing the spoof "Young Frankenstein" or you'll miss some references. It's actually a better film than "Frankenstein". The Universal sets are very cheap, they include several sequels, remastered films, commentaries, poster galleries, etc. The Frankenstein comes with "Bride", "Son of Frankenstein", "Ghost of Frankenstein" and "House of Frankenstein". They also have sets of Dracula, the Wolf Man, the Invisible Man, the Mummy and the Creature from the Black Lagoon. As for remakes Hammer studios in England recreated most of the Universal monsters using Christopher Lee and Peter Cushing. They started with "The Curse of Frankenstein" in 1957 followed by "Horror of Dracula" the next year. They were all in color of course and showed a lot more blood, it was a different era. Francis Ford Coppola remade "Dracula" in 1992 and "Frankenstein" in 1994 as R rated films "Bram Stoker's Dracula" and "Mary Shelley's Frankenstein" starring Gary Oldman and Robert De Niro as the monsters respectively. Also in 2004 there was "Van Helsing" starring Hugh Jackman and Kate Beckinsale, it has both monsters in it. When caught torturing the monster and asked why Igor (Fritz) says, "It's what I do."
@@scottjo63 Coppola's is certainly dramatic, a bit extra in places as if he'd gotten more into the flash than the substance but I still like it. And I think Keanu's English accent is better than Natalie's Portman's in "V for Vendetta".
The monster is, of course, played by Boris Karloff. I’ll add my voice to those suggesting Bride of Frankenstein as a must-see sequel. The villain of that film is incredible fun and there are some amazing special effects. Speaking of Karloff, his penultimate film, Targets, is also worth seeking out.
Enthusiastic seconding for Targets, Peter Bogdanovich's breakout movie - both a terrifying indictment of today's notions of horror and a dear valentine to one of the masters of the older brand of it. 😱 😊
The scene where the Monster threw the little girl into the lake was initially removed from some releases. It was later recovered, restored, and put back in the movie in the 1980s.
When the cast and crew drove to the lake location, Karloff was already in makeup and costume. Some were concerned that the girl would be frightened of him, but she actually requested to ride there with Karloff.
When filming the scene, Karloff didn’t want to throw the young actress in the water. He suggested to the director that he place her in the water instead of throwing her. His request was denied. Karloff and Marilyn Harris became good friends from the start. Even though she was only seven, she could already see what a kind and sincere man Karloff truly was on the inside!!!
Frankenstein and, awhile later, The Mummy established Karloff as a horror movie star and eventual horror icon. He was in 80 movies before Frankenstein, some of which he had major roles in, but mostly he was just a bit or side character until after he did Frankenstein and The Mummy.
3:50 - In the late 1800's Cesare Lombroso founded the "science" of criminal anthropology. He was performing autopsies at an insane asylum and noticed that some of the inmates had brain abnormalities. From that observation, he concluded that criminals are criminal because they are evolutionary throwbacks to primitive humans and thus were unfit to live in a modern society. He and his disciples compiled an extensive list of physical characteristics that they thought were indicative of criminal tendencies (even though a person could have some of those traits and not be a criminal). Bram Stoker used their list of criminal-associated physical characteristics to describe Count Dracula. The Count's possession of so many "criminal" physical features was noticed by van Helsing. Criminal anthropology became very influential among prison reformers and led to the introduction of variable sentencing, parole for good behavior, etc. They also led to "three strikes" laws on the assumption that if a person keeps committing crimes, they must be a "born criminal" and thus cannot be rehabilitated. They basically advocated either executing people on their third offense or sterilizing them so they would not be able to breed more criminals. And that's why you have the "abnormal brain" trope in these movies.
Fun Fact: The Monster was played by Boris Karloff. Boris is best known by some as the narrator of the animated classic "The Grinch who stole Christmas". In the classic novel "Arsenic and old lace" a shady character, called Johnathan, has his face surgically altered... The doctor accidentally altered him to look like Karloff. In the movie adaptation, Karloff happily accepted the role of Johnathan. It's a great performance!
I hope you get requests on Patreon to react to the other Universal monster films like Bride of Frankenstein, Dracula, the Invisible Man, the Creature from the Black Lagoon, the Phantom of the Opera and the Mummy.
I hope you watch Bride of Frankenstein. They made a lot of Frankenstein sequels, but bride is a legitimate classic and in some ways I think it’s superior to the original.
Yes! When I was a little kid in 1970 or so, this was on TV and my mommy watched this with me, explaining that Frankenstein (she meant the Monster) was “really a good guy”. In her special way she was teaching me that the character had depth, and needed to be understood. It really stuck with me, this lesson.
Definitely watch "Bride of Frankenstein" and then "Son of Frankenstein." (Although Son ret-cons a lot of stuff from the original, it sets up most of the mythology that would be called back to in the monster crossovers, and it's the movie that is most drawn from in Mel Brooks' "Young Frankenstein.")
"Frankenstein", "Bride of Frankenstein", "Son of Frankenstein" and "Ghost of Frankenstein" is a very fun to watch Fourlogy. (Patent pending on that word).
Before you see Mel Brooks' "Young Frankenstein" you must see "Frankenstein" "The Bride of Frankenstein" and "The Son of Frankenstein" to get all the great inside jokes Brooks put into his movie ! Many people forget "The Son of Frankenstein is even a movie but it has a big budget and an "A" quality cast so it not a quick ripoff that Universal Studios would do later in the 1940's.
@@seerofallthatisobvious1316 A little trivia but the last time Karloff got into the Frankenstein makeup was of all things for an episode of the TV Series Route 66 and Lon Chaney was in that episode too in full Werewolf makeup.
Boris Karloff was 5'11" and as the monster wore boots that had a 4 inch heel making him over 6'. Frankenstein wasn't Boris's first movie but, his 80th(!). His first was a silent movie in 1918. Karloff died in 1968 but, had filmed enough movies that he appeared in theaters until 1971. Colin Clive (Henry Frankenstein) died very young at age 37 two years after appearing in Bride of Frankenstein (1935). Clive died of severe chronic alcoholism and complications of tuberculosis. Mae Clarke (Elizabeth) called Colin Clive "the saddest handsome man" she ever met. Clarke famously has half of a grapefruit smashed into her face by James Cagney in "The Public Enemy" (1931). Frankenstein the book is vastly different from the movie. I won't spoil anything just don't go into it expecting a fast, gory read.
There is a old saying about the difference between knowledge and wisdom. Knowledge is knowing that Frankenstein is the scientist and not the monster. Wisdom is knowing that Frankenstein is the monster.
One thing related to this movie that impresses the hell out of me is that they copyrighted or trademarked(I forget which one applies) the appearance of the monster. No one can do a Frankenstein movie or tv show with a creature who looks like that unless they get permission and/or pay the price. Considering the movie industry was still relatively new, that shows that someone had amazing foresight. And of course that became the look that the public always thinks of when they hear "Frankenstein" so it makes that design even more valuable.
"There comes a time in every parent's life, when you just have to tighten the bolts, strip off the electrodes, and watch your creation go lurching off to the village." -- Terry Pratchett
@@joecarr5412 yep. Thurl Ravenscroft. The man with the greatest name to ever get a Hollywood credit. Even though most of his voice work was uncredited.
Bela Lugosi was offered the chance to play the monster and even did a costume test. He turned it down after realizing he would be mute, referring to the role as nothing more than a scarecrow.
Universal Studios classic ‘monster’ films are all incredible & their influence cannot be understated. Dracula, Frankenstein, The Bride Of Frankenstein, The Mummy, Wolf Man, The Creature From The Black Lagoon, Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde, The Invisible Man & Phantom of Opera; no matter how many times they are remade, nothing will come close to them. The make up Jack Pierce created literally defined the look of Frankenstein’s monster in popular culture. There are exceptions, but the Pierce / Karloff creature is in many ways the definitive one. Fun Facts: I used to live in London, not too far away from where Willam Henry Pratt lived. The unassuming building in Dulwich, now displays a blue plaque with the words ‘William Henry Pratt alias Boris Karloff 1887-1969 Actor was born here’. Every time I passed it, I often wondered, how many people knew that the man who portrayed Frankenstein’s creature lived there? To add to the over all look of the creature, Karloff even removed his dentures to amplify the withered, gaunt look. Upon release, the scene where Maria is thrown into the lake was considered too shocking & was cut from the film for many years. The town square set is still standing; it forms part of the Universal Studios Hollywood backlot tour. The end of Tim Burtons Sleepy Hollow, with the burning of the windmill is an homage to the 1931 Frankenstein. If you want to watch another adaptation, I’d recommend Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, which stars Kenneth Branagh & Robert De Nero.
7:50 "Hodge-podge". In the Shelley novel, Victor Frankenstein says he also got material from slaughterhouses, so the novel's creature's bodily basis likely was not entirely human.
Note there's no music. During the first few years of sound they didn't use music because they thought it was just for silent movies and now that they had talkies who needed music? It was about late 1931/32 when they realized they did need music for mood in the background.
I personally hold that terror can be greatly increased through the judicious application of silence just as well as any mood music, shock chord or scream. This will be evident as you view Lugosi's Dracula. 😏 😱
Mary Shelley's "Frankenstein: or the Modern Prometheus" is a classic gothic novel. There are some parts that bear a resemblance to the film, but overall it is rather different. Many films have been made based on Shelley's work over the decades with a number of famous actors playing key rolls.
"The Monster" - Boris Karloff who also played the Mummy in that original occurrence. If you've ever heard "The Monster Mash" one of the lines is "when you get to the door tell them Boris sent you"
Reel Reviews With Jen! This movie was actually based on a stage adaptation of the book, the original novel is considerably different, same thing with the 1931 Dracula movie.
The Creature was played by the legendary Boris Karloff. While he's never given a name, the creature is sort of the son of his creator, so Frankenstein can be his last name if you like. Bride of Frankenstein is also fantastic. There was no castle, there were only sets and paintings.
The Doctor does refer to the monster as Frankenstein in one scene, the scene with the monster reacting to the sky light, he comes in and calls him Frankenstein. All these years, I never noticed this, until just a few years ago.
@@tommy5675 As I recall, he said "I ought to be thy Adam" but he never uses that as his name. Given the context, I don't think he would either, since the creature hates Victor and his own existence so much.
As a result of this role Karloff was pigeonholed into horror films and films with heavy makeup. But his beautiful deep baritone also garnered him a great deal of voice over work. Throughout his life he did lots of work for children's charities. You probably would recognize his voice because he was the narrator in the original, animated _How the Grinch Stole Christmas._ As others have commented, definitely watch _Bride of Frankenstein._ It is the superior script. And after that, _Young Frankenstein._ Also, the full title of Mary Shelley's novel is _Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus._ The science fiction author Brian Aldiss has called it the first true science fiction story.
oh god thank you so much for going back to the beginnings of the horror genre. you are the only reactor i see doing this. Very astute reaction to this and the themes of the story. PLEASE keep up the exquisite work you are doing this Halloween season
The Monster is played by British actor Boris Karloff, who became a popular actor in horror and mystery cinema. He went on to star in The Mummy and reprised the role of the Monster in Bride of Frankenstein and Son of Frankenstein. He later became the host of a horror anthology television series in the 1960s called Thriller, and also played the voice of The Grinch and the narrator in Dr. Seuss' How The Grinch Stole Christmas.
I honestly always felt sorry for the Monster. He seems like a big child who doesn't know any better. And when he drowned the little girl, he didn't mean for her to drown. He thought she'd float like the flowers and looks so distressed about what he did.
I'm happy to see people go back and watch these old foundational movies for the first time. The book is quite a bit different. The creature speaks, for one, and a lot. He's a regular philosopher. If you've seen Penny Dreadful, John Clare really is the most book accurate version. The book's plot does progress on a different path, and it also lacks the normal/abnormal brain thing. The story unfolds as it does because Frankenstein's action in itself is a transgression, not just because of a clumsy assistant. For a long time Universal cut the scenes of Frankenstein saying now he knows how it feels to be God, and also Maria getting thrown in the lake. Boris Karloff was actually shorter than Colin Clive, but with his shoes and headpiece he looks taller. Bride of Frankenstein is just the first of the sequels (and the best). Universal made a bunch, including Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein, a beloved monster mash with the Wolf Man and Dracula that is always worth a watch. And then Hammer started making their own Frankenstein series in the 1950s, starring Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee. For more Edward Van Sloane you should watch Dracula, also from 1931. What did director James Whale say when asked who he cast to play the Doctor? "IT'S A CLIIIIIIIIVVVVVE!!" sorry lol
Bride of Frankenstein really takes things up a few notches. It's the highlight of the OG Universal films. Another 1930s horror-ish film to check out is "M", by Fritz Lang (who also made the silent scifi masterpiece Metropolis). It's a german film about a child murderer.. a subject Hollywood would not have touched back then. The acting of Peter Lorre is amaaaazing.
The book is a VERY interesting read. The author was only 19 years old when she wrote it in the early part of the 19th century. This movie covers the first half. The sequel, Bride of Frankenstein covers the rest, but the book is a bit different from the movies.
Movies with sound were new in 1931. You may want to check out the FRANKENSTEIN LEGACY COLLECTION. HOUSE OF FEANKENSTEIN, SON OF FRANKENSTEIN, GHOST OF FRANKENSTEIN, and of course BRIDE OF FRANKENSTEIN. DRACULA and THE MUMMY also came out that year.
The book is very different and more accurately adapted in the Kenneth Branagh version. All the Universal horrors exist in some fictitious transalpine Mittel-Europa. James Whale Kenneth Strickfaden German Expressionism Colin Clive Boris Karloff Mary Wollstonescraft Shelley The stormy horror challenge during the summer holiday with Lord Byron in Geneva The interconnected Universal horror cycle (Dracula, Mummy, Wolfman, Frankenstein's monster, Invisible Man) The Dr. Frankenstein Hammer horror cycle (Peter Cushing's signature role) "The Bride of Frankenstein" (the first sequel) "Gods and Monsters" (James Whale biopic) "Mary Shelley" (Shelley biopic) "Mary Shelley's Frankenstein" (Branagh's version) "Young Frankenstein" (Mel Brooks' classic parody of this and "Bride") "Van Helsing" (pulpy action version with a terrific Frankenstein's monster played by Shuler Hensley) Bernie Wrightson's illustrated Frankenstein (gorgeously illustrated) All things you should acquaint yourself with if you have a passion for this story and/or classic cinema.
I've loved these classic horror movies since I was a little kid. My personal favorites are "The Invisible Man" starring Claude Rains from 1933, "The Creature From The Black Lagoon" from 1954, "The Wolfman" from 1941 and "Frankenstein Meets The Wolfman" from 1943. Honestly, the 2009 remake of "The Wolfman" was good too. My only gripe with that movie is that I wished they used more practical effects for the transformations.
This movie was very impactful and controversial when it was released in the same way as "The Exorcist" was. The scene where the father was carrying his dead daughter's body through town after she drowned had people running out of some theaters in 1931.
Boris Karloff was also the voice actor and narrator for the Animated version of The Grinch Stole Christmas, and this movie along with the other Universal monster movies didn't have the ratings system that there is today, Bride of Frankenstein, is the direct sequel, plus there are 2 other Frankenstein movies along with Abbott and Costello meet Frankenstein, Boris Karloff and Glenn Strange played the monster in the various movies, The Black Cat is a movie that had both Bela Lugosi and Boris Karloff.
Those things on his neck are not bolts. They are electrodes that connect to the machines that create the electrical energy. Before you watch ‘Young Frankenstein’ I suggest you watch the sequel to this film, ‘The Bride of Frankenstein’ 1935.
The monster tells Frankenstein- I have love in me the likes of which you have never seen rage in me the likes of which you would never know, if I can't have one I will indulge in the other.
Lugosi was already a star from Dracula earlier that year and forever regretted turning down the role of the Monster here. Karloff went on to eclipse Lugosi as the greatest horror star since Lon Chaney, playing The Mummy a year later. Some women did faint or run screaming out of the theatres. When's the last tim that happened? Colin Clive created the archetype of the mad scientist in this film. Sadly, he died very young. The scene where he throws the girl into the water was not in the original theatrical release, as it was considered too graphic. The footage was restored to the film in the 1980s when home video became a thing. In the original cut, you just see him reach for her, then it cuts away. Dwight Frye, who played Fritz, was also Renfield in Dracula. Sadly, he never got roles that good again. This is so iconic. I mean, ninety years later, our kids are still eating Frankenberries. And thanks to a 19 year old Mary Shelley, science fiction was created.
If I remember right the reason given for throwing Maria into the lake was as they had been tossing flowers into the lake the creature having run out of flowers thought that pretty things should float on the lake and so tossed her in and when she didn't float he panicked. And while the creature doesn't speak I'm sure you've heard Karloff's voice before as he was the narrator on the old cartoon version of "How The Grinch Stole Christmas".
There was Frankenstein made in 1994 that was basically made the same way all on the Universal lot . Kenneth Braghnah wanted to basically film the same way as the original Frankenstein So most of the sets were built by scratch.
The cinematography was inspired by German expressionism from the 1920s, like Nosferatu. This style of filmmaking would later influence film noir. And yes, they did have dolly systems in the 1930s.
The man who introduced the film is actor Edward Van Sloan, who also played Doctor Waldmen in the film. He is most known for playing Abraham Van Helsing in Universal's "Dracula," which also came out in 1931. In my opinion, the best version of Van Helsing ever put to screen.
YES, am all time classic! Just got done watching THE RELIC. You should watch Bride Of Frankenstein, as the film has homosexual undertones between Frankenstein and Pretorius.
I definitely recommend Bride of Frankenstein and Son of Frankenstein, the final film to star Boris Karloff as The Monster. All 3 films are referenced in Young Frankenstein, so it would be nice to see those before watching Gene Wilder's 1974 masterpiece, which is perhaps the best one of all.
Great reaction, and great appreciation for a horror classic!!!!! Boris Karloff, who played the monster, starred in horror movies all the way into the 1960s. He also had a television series called Thriller. Excellent that you did this video!!!
While I absolutely recommend Young Frankenstein, watch Bride of Frankenstein and Son of Frankenstein first. Young Frankenstein is so much funnier when you get all the references.
The town where this was photographed is called Universal City, CA, which is an unincorporated area within the San Fernando Valley region of Los Angeles County, California. Basically it was shot at Universal Studios, both on soundstages and the backlot.
Yes you should absolutely watch Young Frankenstein. In fact, watching it right after the original would probably be great, as there are numerous references to scenes in the original.
I don't know if you've seen Young Frankenstein but it is based on this film, including the same sets. Dwight Frye who played the hunchback was also in Dracula as Renfield and many other Universal horror films.
This movie, although iconic in its own right, has almost nothing in common with the book. Another worthy read ... although I understand that it is simply not possible to delve into the source material of every film you indulge in. Still, the old cliche holds true. Books, with the luxury of exploring great detail ... and exploiting our imaginations ... are almost always more satisfying than their film adaptations.
A very interesting spin on the Frankenstein story was done in an episode of "The Highlander" T.V. series in which Duncan McCloud... "The Highlander" is a guest at the weekend retreat with Mary Shelly and company during which Shelly gains inspiration to write the story from Duncan.
What:s wild is that at some point in the 1800's, I forget when,mid it late maybe, people were fascinated with the usages if using electricity to reanimate or revive dead bodies, putting electrical current through the newly dead like executed bodies, watching the facial features grimace or the limbs move
I'm a 30's film fan. (Love 40's and 50's too.) Bride of Frankenstein is often considered a superior film. Dracula, The Invisible Man, Freaks and Old Dark House are great 30's films to react to. Of course Creature From the Black Lagoon from 1954 is one of my faves and I met Julia (Julie) Adams a year before she died. I have coffee mugs of Leila Hyams (Freaks) and the great Carole Lombard. Oh, Boris Karloff was Frankenstein's Monster who went on to be a horror movie icon for decades.
PS: Other suggestions from this time period? Over the course of 1931-1932 you've got four genuinely creepy movies that have totally held up: Island Of Lost Souls, Freaks, M and Dr. Jekyll And Mr. Hyde (still the best version). In 1933, you've got King Kong, which changes the game in terms of special effects, spectacle and also musical score. All of those, highly recommend.
My mother was a young girl when this movie came out. She recounted how some people ran out of the theatre screaming in horror at the sight of the monster. People in 1931 has never seen anything like this before.
You MUST see 'Bride' (at least), but 'Son of..." and "House of.." were quite a blast. I enjoyed your reaction to this classic. Boris was also amazing in 'The Mummy' from 1932 and 'The Old Dark House' from around the same time.
Just so you know - Gloria Stuart, the elderly Rose from Mr. Cameron's magnum opus, acts as the female lead not only in The Old Dark House, but also in 1933's The Invisible Man! 😯 🤯
It was probably Boris Karloff's first big role. He had had countless small supporting parts before this, but I think they were gambling on him becoming an iconic horror star, and it paid off!
The Creature didn’t have a name in the novel either, though he did at one point tell Frankenstein that he ought to be his “Adam”, but is “rather the fallen angel”. And yes, he was intelligent and articulate in the novel. Eventually.
The entire film was shot at a film studio. Everything you see on screen was a set... interiors and exteriors. The village scenes were shot at Universal Studios' "European village" outdoor set. All the extras you see are just that: extras hired by the studio.
You should check out the Frankenstein sequel, Jen, The Bride of Frankenstein, which is often considered to be even better than the original. You should also check out the Mel Brooks comedy Young Frankenstein, Jen. lol 😆 It's a great spoof of the Frankenstein movies.
When Frankenstein first came out in 1931 it was still pre-code Hollywood, before the Hays Code was enforced. As a result, many scenes in Frankenstein were edited years later when the film was rereleased. Different parts of the USA demanded that certain parts of the film be edited out due to people objecting to scenes that were considered shocking, blasphemous, or inappropriate. It was banned in Ireland. lol
You definitely need to watch YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN but first things first... you need to see BRIDE OF FRANKENSTEIN and SON OF FRANKENSTEIN or you won't understand half the jokes. This is the movie that put Boris Karloff on the map! He was basically unknown before FRANKENSTEIN made him famous. The movie takes a lot of liberties with the book. In fact, the movie is actually based around the play by Peggy Webling rather than the book by Mary Shelley.
There were 6 sequels. There were countless remakes, including a few Japanese versions where the monster is gigantic like Godzilla and is called, "Frankenstein". The first sequell, "The Bride Of Frankenstein" is more like the book than the first one. Boris Karloff had done a few bit parts prior to "Frankenstein" but was basically unknown. "Frankenstein" made him a big star at age 42.
The fall from the windmill was originally supposed to kill Henry Frankenstein, but after a preview audience hated that ending a happier one was added on.
Thank you for doing this, Ms. Jen. Frankenstein is one of my absolute favorite movies, and one of my "perfect Halloween movies." It's hard for us, 90+ years later, to understand how this movie affected people back then. In the 1930s, Frankenstein was considered to be *the* scariest movie ever made: people fainted, people walked out of screenings, religious organizations protested in the streets. It is an absolutely groundbreaking classic. I join others in heartily recommending The Bride of Frankenstein. It is not just one of the greatest sequels of all time, but one of the best American movies, period. :)
The initial reaction to the movie is a testament to just how placid and tranquil ordinary life could be back then. (Not very often, but when it *was* - oh, boy!) 😴 😁
Begining in 1948 Universal made a series of comic/horror films featuring Abbott and Costelllo. The first one was "Abbott and Costello meet Frankenstein". The cast included Bela Lugosi as Dracula, Lon Cheney Jr. as Larry Talbot (the Wolfman) and Glenn Strange as the monster. My fav of the series was "Abbott and Costello meet the Killer". That had Boris Karloff as the title character. ✌
William "Bud" Abbott and Lou Costello were one of the premier comic duos of American cinema, Abbott being the slick straight man and Costello the baby-faced dupe. Their wordplay and Costello's body language still have the power to draw out a smile at the VERY least. I do hope, Ms. Jen, that you view some of their earlier efforts before seeing them go up against Universal's stable of sinister stalwarts. To this end I heartily recommend 1941's Buck Privates (their first movie as the leads) and the 1947 sequel, Buck Privates Come Home. 😎 😆
I hope you read comments from 10 months ago, because I just watched this reaction and didn’t find Young Frankenstein in your movies lists. I think your subscribers would appreciate your reaction to that film, and clock which scenes from the original you recognize in the spoof. By the way, they were able to use (some of) the original equipment from the original movie’s creation scene (the one with the lightning) in Young Frankenstein. Way cool. Thanks for this one, Jen.
Just 10 short years after Nosferatu as well. just the progression of movies from silent to talking, plus the effects makeup in nosferatu the make was more basic but this took it one step further, there are many many many remakes and sequels and alternate world stories, plus nods and spoofs, like frankenhooker.. yeah thats real film,
Bride, Son, ghost, meets the wolf man, house of, house of dracula, abbot and costello meet frankenstein, not to mention young frankenstein, , then you have the Hammer Frankenstein movies the last frankensteins monter movie was about 2015/2019, there are a lot of movies like this one in 1965: Ishirō Honda's 1965 tokusatsu kaiju film Frankenstein Conquers the World was produced by Toho Company Ltd.. The film's prologue is set in World War II; the monster's heart is stolen by Nazis from the laboratory of Dr. Reisendorf in war-torn Frankfurt, and taken to Imperial Japan. Immortal, the heart survives the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and, by 15 years later, has regenerated a new body which feeds on protein, eventually growing into a giant humanoid monster named Frankenstein that breaks loose and battles the burrowing dinosaur Baragon that was destroying villages and devouring people and animals.
That scene of the Frankenstein monster tossing the little girl in the lake is iconic. A lot of people get confused and call the monster Frankenstein, but that's the name of the doctor. Thanks for doing this. If not already in your schedule, would love you to do other Universal monster movies like Dracula, The Werewolf and Creature from the Black Lagoon.😁👍🙀🎃💀👻
The Creature didn't toss the little girl into the water because of malice. He just didn't understand that she wouldn't float like the flowers. He did it out of total ignorance.
Looking forward to your reaction to this one. The book by the way, is worth reading: by Mary Shelley, wife of the poet Percy Shelley, both radical thinkers of their time. Ooh. Take careful readings of the beginning credits: "Henry Frankenstein" and his actor, Colin Clive, are right there at the top. Karloff actually injured his back during the windmill scene. It was a lifelong injury. Like many actors famous for playing sinister characters, Karoloff seemed to have been a gentle person in real life. He also had a lovely speaking voice. If you have have every watched the old cartoon of the Grinch, Karloff was the narrator. He and Bela Lugosi (the 1930s Dracula) starred together in an odd film, "The Black Cat". Worth watching for the scenes between them, and a haunting scene of Karloff walking down a significant corridor with the titular black cat nestled in his arms. I love that particular scene especially with how comfortable that cat looks with Karloff.
I can't believe you've never seen this, I grew up with it, read the book, assembled the model, had a 6' tall poster of the monster that glowed in the dark. Btw the subtitle of the book is "The Modern Prometheus". The part of the monster was offered first to Bela Lugosi who'd had a hit with "Dracula" but he thought it was beneath him, just a lot of grunting. He forever regretted that decision because it made Boris Karloff a household name. The sunken face wasn't created with makeup, the director had Boris remove his dental bridge from that side of his face.
Don't forget to check out my Horror Movie themed notebooks for Spooky Season! - www.amazon.com/shop/reelreviewswithjen
I would watch Bride of Frankenstein first then Young Frankenstein. You will get the jokes better.The movies i gave you before are still valid but as for the Universal monster classics...Bride Of Frankenstein, The Wolf-man, Dracula and The Creature from the Black Lagoon are a staple and a good watch at night. Other classics are the original Godzilla (the original japan cut), Black Sunday and Horror of Dracula. All these are foreign classic horror movies and are top on the list of horror film buffs. I know you are getting bombarded with tittles just pick out what sounds good to you.
@@0PsychosisMedia0 They're all good and worth viewing.
Need to see more people react to these older films.
I’m so glad I finally watched it! Such a classic film!
@@ReelReviewsWithJen I read the book as well as "Dracula" in middle school. I grew up reading comic books and mythology, all these bigger than life characters. I had all the plastic models too including robots, Godzilla, King Kong, the works. This was Saturday afternoon TV movie fare.
Reactions to classic films, yes
@@ReelReviewsWithJen Please react to
The Creature From The Black Lagoon (1954)
Dracula (1931)
The Bride Of Frankenstein (1935)
The Mummy(1932)
The Invisible Man (1933)
The Wolfman (1941)
The movie was entirely shot at Universal Studios, mostly on sets built for this production. The village scenes were filmed at the Universal's backlot's "European street".
The European street was most recently used in The Good Place.
I toured Universal back in 1970. I think that same set was also used in 'Mchale's Navy' as a stand-in for Italy.
I recommend watching "Bride of Frankenstein" before seeing the spoof "Young Frankenstein" or you'll miss some references. It's actually a better film than "Frankenstein". The Universal sets are very cheap, they include several sequels, remastered films, commentaries, poster galleries, etc. The Frankenstein comes with "Bride", "Son of Frankenstein", "Ghost of Frankenstein" and "House of Frankenstein". They also have sets of Dracula, the Wolf Man, the Invisible Man, the Mummy and the Creature from the Black Lagoon.
As for remakes Hammer studios in England recreated most of the Universal monsters using Christopher Lee and Peter Cushing. They started with "The Curse of Frankenstein" in 1957 followed by "Horror of Dracula" the next year. They were all in color of course and showed a lot more blood, it was a different era.
Francis Ford Coppola remade "Dracula" in 1992 and "Frankenstein" in 1994 as R rated films "Bram Stoker's Dracula" and "Mary Shelley's Frankenstein" starring Gary Oldman and Robert De Niro as the monsters respectively.
Also in 2004 there was "Van Helsing" starring Hugh Jackman and Kate Beckinsale, it has both monsters in it. When caught torturing the monster and asked why Igor (Fritz) says, "It's what I do."
@@scottjo63 Coppola's is certainly dramatic, a bit extra in places as if he'd gotten more into the flash than the substance but I still like it. And I think Keanu's English accent is better than Natalie's Portman's in "V for Vendetta".
i agree
Has Kate Beckinsale ever been in a good movie?
"Son of Frankenstein" is also a movie worth seeing before "Young Frankenstein".
The monster is, of course, played by Boris Karloff. I’ll add my voice to those suggesting Bride of Frankenstein as a must-see sequel. The villain of that film is incredible fun and there are some amazing special effects. Speaking of Karloff, his penultimate film, Targets, is also worth seeking out.
Enthusiastic seconding for Targets, Peter Bogdanovich's breakout movie - both a terrifying indictment of today's notions of horror and a dear valentine to one of the masters of the older brand of it. 😱 😊
Targets is awesome but bride of frankenstein is way overrated
I second seeing _Bride,_ although you may have done it already by now.
The scene where the Monster threw the little girl into the lake was initially removed from some releases. It was later recovered, restored, and put back in the movie in the 1980s.
When the cast and crew drove to the lake location, Karloff was already in makeup and costume. Some were concerned that the girl would be frightened of him, but she actually requested to ride there with Karloff.
When filming the scene, Karloff didn’t want to throw the young actress in the water. He suggested to the director that he place her in the water instead of throwing her. His request was denied. Karloff and Marilyn Harris became good friends from the start. Even though she was only seven, she could already see what a kind and sincere man Karloff truly was on the inside!!!
Frankenstein and, awhile later, The Mummy established Karloff as a horror movie star and eventual horror icon. He was in 80 movies before Frankenstein, some of which he had major roles in, but mostly he was just a bit or side character until after he did Frankenstein and The Mummy.
3:50 - In the late 1800's Cesare Lombroso founded the "science" of criminal anthropology. He was performing autopsies at an insane asylum and noticed that some of the inmates had brain abnormalities. From that observation, he concluded that criminals are criminal because they are evolutionary throwbacks to primitive humans and thus were unfit to live in a modern society. He and his disciples compiled an extensive list of physical characteristics that they thought were indicative of criminal tendencies (even though a person could have some of those traits and not be a criminal). Bram Stoker used their list of criminal-associated physical characteristics to describe Count Dracula. The Count's possession of so many "criminal" physical features was noticed by van Helsing.
Criminal anthropology became very influential among prison reformers and led to the introduction of variable sentencing, parole for good behavior, etc. They also led to "three strikes" laws on the assumption that if a person keeps committing crimes, they must be a "born criminal" and thus cannot be rehabilitated. They basically advocated either executing people on their third offense or sterilizing them so they would not be able to breed more criminals.
And that's why you have the "abnormal brain" trope in these movies.
Bride of Frankenstein is also great. Even better in my opinion.
It really is a better film. Probably the first bigger than the original sequel⚡⚡
@@charrid56maclean no it is not better
Fun Fact: The Monster was played by Boris Karloff.
Boris is best known by some as the narrator of the animated classic "The Grinch who stole Christmas".
In the classic novel "Arsenic and old lace" a shady character, called Johnathan, has his face surgically altered... The doctor accidentally altered him to look like Karloff.
In the movie adaptation, Karloff happily accepted the role of Johnathan.
It's a great performance!
I hope you get requests on Patreon to react to the other Universal monster films like Bride of Frankenstein, Dracula, the Invisible Man, the Creature from the Black Lagoon, the Phantom of the Opera and the Mummy.
I hope you watch Bride of Frankenstein. They made a lot of Frankenstein sequels, but bride is a legitimate classic and in some ways I think it’s superior to the original.
Agreed.
Yes! When I was a little kid in 1970 or so, this was on TV and my mommy watched this with me, explaining that Frankenstein (she meant the Monster) was “really a good guy”. In her special way she was teaching me that the character had depth, and needed to be understood. It really stuck with me, this lesson.
In the book the monster was highly intelligent anda good guy but his treatment by people made him evil.
Definitely watch "Bride of Frankenstein" and then "Son of Frankenstein." (Although Son ret-cons a lot of stuff from the original, it sets up most of the mythology that would be called back to in the monster crossovers, and it's the movie that is most drawn from in Mel Brooks' "Young Frankenstein.")
"Frankenstein", "Bride of Frankenstein", "Son of Frankenstein" and "Ghost of Frankenstein" is a very fun to watch Fourlogy. (Patent pending on that word).
Before you see Mel Brooks' "Young Frankenstein" you must see "Frankenstein" "The Bride of Frankenstein" and "The Son of Frankenstein" to get all the great inside jokes Brooks put into his movie ! Many people forget "The Son of Frankenstein is even a movie but it has a big budget and an "A" quality cast so it not a quick ripoff that Universal Studios would do later in the 1940's.
"Son of Frankenstein" was also the last time Boris Karloff would portray the monster.
@@seerofallthatisobvious1316 A little trivia but the last time Karloff got into the Frankenstein makeup was of all things for an episode of the TV Series Route 66 and Lon Chaney was in that episode too in full Werewolf makeup.
@@keithbrown8490 I gotta see if that's available online.
Good to see you dipping into the Classic Film Pool.
I really enjoyed it! Such a cool movie!
Boris Karloff was 5'11" and as the monster wore boots that had a 4 inch heel making him over 6'. Frankenstein wasn't Boris's first movie but, his 80th(!). His first was a silent movie in 1918. Karloff died in 1968 but, had filmed enough movies that he appeared in theaters until 1971.
Colin Clive (Henry Frankenstein) died very young at age 37 two years after appearing in Bride of Frankenstein (1935). Clive died of severe chronic alcoholism and complications of tuberculosis.
Mae Clarke (Elizabeth) called Colin Clive "the saddest handsome man" she ever met. Clarke famously has half of a grapefruit smashed into her face by James Cagney in "The Public Enemy" (1931).
Frankenstein the book is vastly different from the movie. I won't spoil anything just don't go into it expecting a fast, gory read.
There is a old saying about the difference between knowledge and wisdom. Knowledge is knowing that Frankenstein is the scientist and not the monster. Wisdom is knowing that Frankenstein is the monster.
One thing related to this movie that impresses the hell out of me is that they copyrighted or trademarked(I forget which one applies) the appearance of the monster. No one can do a Frankenstein movie or tv show with a creature who looks like that unless they get permission and/or pay the price. Considering the movie industry was still relatively new, that shows that someone had amazing foresight. And of course that became the look that the public always thinks of when they hear "Frankenstein" so it makes that design even more valuable.
"There comes a time in every parent's life, when you just have to tighten the bolts, strip off the electrodes, and watch your creation go lurching off to the village." -- Terry Pratchett
Miss you Terry
"Did they have dollies in the thirties?" They did- very shortly after the invention of the wheel, Dear. Best. Leo.
For the last 55 years, most people know Karloff as the narrator of the 1966 holiday special How The Grinch Stole Christmas.
And the voice singing " Your a Mean One, Mr Grinch"...was same Frosted Flakes voice of Tony the Tiger- "They're GREAT!"
@@joecarr5412 yep. Thurl Ravenscroft. The man with the greatest name to ever get a Hollywood credit. Even though most of his voice work was uncredited.
Bela Lugosi was offered the chance to play the monster and even did a costume test. He turned it down after realizing he would be mute, referring to the role as nothing more than a scarecrow.
Universal Studios classic ‘monster’ films are all incredible & their influence cannot be understated.
Dracula, Frankenstein, The Bride Of Frankenstein, The Mummy, Wolf Man, The Creature From The Black Lagoon, Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde, The Invisible Man & Phantom of Opera; no matter how many times they are remade, nothing will come close to them.
The make up Jack Pierce created literally defined the look of Frankenstein’s monster in popular culture. There are exceptions, but the Pierce / Karloff creature is in many ways the definitive one.
Fun Facts: I used to live in London, not too far away from where Willam Henry Pratt lived.
The unassuming building in Dulwich, now displays a blue plaque with the words ‘William Henry Pratt alias Boris Karloff 1887-1969 Actor was born here’. Every time I passed it, I often wondered, how many people knew that the man who portrayed Frankenstein’s creature lived there?
To add to the over all look of the creature, Karloff even removed his dentures to amplify the withered, gaunt look.
Upon release, the scene where Maria is thrown into the lake was considered too shocking & was cut from the film for many years.
The town square set is still standing; it forms part of the Universal Studios Hollywood backlot tour.
The end of Tim Burtons Sleepy Hollow, with the burning of the windmill is an homage to the 1931 Frankenstein.
If you want to watch another adaptation, I’d recommend Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, which stars Kenneth Branagh & Robert De Nero.
The ending credits - "A good cast is worth repeating"!!!!
7:50 "Hodge-podge". In the Shelley novel, Victor Frankenstein says he also got material from slaughterhouses, so the novel's creature's bodily basis likely was not entirely human.
Note there's no music. During the first few years of sound they didn't use music because they thought it was just for silent movies and now that they had talkies who needed music? It was about late 1931/32 when they realized they did need music for mood in the background.
I personally hold that terror can be greatly increased through the judicious application of silence just as well as any mood music, shock chord or scream. This will be evident as you view Lugosi's Dracula. 😏 😱
This is because movies in those days were nothing but stage plays being filmed
Mary Shelley's "Frankenstein: or the Modern Prometheus" is a classic gothic novel. There are some parts that bear a resemblance to the film, but overall it is rather different. Many films have been made based on Shelley's work over the decades with a number of famous actors playing key rolls.
"The Monster" - Boris Karloff who also played the Mummy in that original occurrence. If you've ever heard "The Monster Mash" one of the lines is "when you get to the door tell them Boris sent you"
YES on "Young Frankenstein" especially now that you know what its kinda based upon. It would be a fun halloween tie in movie too
Reel Reviews With Jen! This movie was actually based on a stage adaptation of the book, the original novel is considerably different, same thing with the 1931 Dracula movie.
I'm pretty sure that with the sequel Bride of Frankenstein, they left the bride's name as a ? aswell. It must have been a recurring theme.
The Creature was played by the legendary Boris Karloff. While he's never given a name, the creature is sort of the son of his creator, so Frankenstein can be his last name if you like. Bride of Frankenstein is also fantastic. There was no castle, there were only sets and paintings.
The Monsters name is Adam
The Doctor does refer to the monster as Frankenstein in one scene, the scene with the monster reacting to the sky light, he comes in and calls him Frankenstein. All these years, I never noticed this, until just a few years ago.
@@JENDALL714 Hm, I don't remember that either. Guess I'll have to rewatch that.
@@tommy5675 As I recall, he said "I ought to be thy Adam" but he never uses that as his name. Given the context, I don't think he would either, since the creature hates Victor and his own existence so much.
@Brad1980 Where did they use that?
As a result of this role Karloff was pigeonholed into horror films and films with heavy makeup. But his beautiful deep baritone also garnered him a great deal of voice over work. Throughout his life he did lots of work for children's charities. You probably would recognize his voice because he was the narrator in the original, animated _How the Grinch Stole Christmas._
As others have commented, definitely watch _Bride of Frankenstein._ It is the superior script.
And after that, _Young Frankenstein._
Also, the full title of Mary Shelley's novel is _Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus._ The science fiction author Brian Aldiss has called it the first true science fiction story.
oh god thank you so much for going back to the beginnings of the horror genre. you are the only reactor i see doing this. Very astute reaction to this and the themes of the story. PLEASE keep up the exquisite work you are doing this Halloween season
The Monster is played by British actor Boris Karloff, who became a popular actor in horror and mystery cinema. He went on to star in The Mummy and reprised the role of the Monster in Bride of Frankenstein and Son of Frankenstein. He later became the host of a horror anthology television series in the 1960s called Thriller, and also played the voice of The Grinch and the narrator in Dr. Seuss' How The Grinch Stole Christmas.
i love your shirt.. I actually remember that commercial at the drive in when i was a kid.
Thank you! Yeah the song always gets stuck in my head haha
Young frankenstein is a genius movie ! Amazing performances all around
I honestly always felt sorry for the Monster. He seems like a big child who doesn't know any better. And when he drowned the little girl, he didn't mean for her to drown. He thought she'd float like the flowers and looks so distressed about what he did.
I'm happy to see people go back and watch these old foundational movies for the first time.
The book is quite a bit different. The creature speaks, for one, and a lot. He's a regular philosopher. If you've seen Penny Dreadful, John Clare really is the most book accurate version.
The book's plot does progress on a different path, and it also lacks the normal/abnormal brain thing. The story unfolds as it does because Frankenstein's action in itself is a transgression, not just because of a clumsy assistant.
For a long time Universal cut the scenes of Frankenstein saying now he knows how it feels to be God, and also Maria getting thrown in the lake.
Boris Karloff was actually shorter than Colin Clive, but with his shoes and headpiece he looks taller.
Bride of Frankenstein is just the first of the sequels (and the best). Universal made a bunch, including Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein, a beloved monster mash with the Wolf Man and Dracula that is always worth a watch. And then Hammer started making their own Frankenstein series in the 1950s, starring Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee.
For more Edward Van Sloane you should watch Dracula, also from 1931.
What did director James Whale say when asked who he cast to play the Doctor? "IT'S A CLIIIIIIIIVVVVVE!!"
sorry lol
You are going to love The Bride of Frankenstein!
Totally forgot, 'The Black Cat' 1934, is a great film and it has both Boris Karloff and Bela Lugosi (Dracula).
How right you are. And don't forget "White Zombie".
@@clarencewalker3925 Yup, I think she reacted to White Zombie.
Bride of Frankenstein really takes things up a few notches. It's the highlight of the OG Universal films. Another 1930s horror-ish film to check out is "M", by Fritz Lang (who also made the silent scifi masterpiece Metropolis). It's a german film about a child murderer.. a subject Hollywood would not have touched back then. The acting of Peter Lorre is amaaaazing.
As a curiosity, check out the very first Frankenstein film from 1910. It’s on UA-cam and it’s about 15 minutes long.
The book is a VERY interesting read. The author was only 19 years old when she wrote it in the early part of the 19th century. This movie covers the first half. The sequel, Bride of Frankenstein covers the rest, but the book is a bit different from the movies.
Movies with sound were new in 1931. You may want to check out the FRANKENSTEIN LEGACY COLLECTION. HOUSE OF FEANKENSTEIN, SON OF FRANKENSTEIN, GHOST OF FRANKENSTEIN, and of course BRIDE OF FRANKENSTEIN. DRACULA and THE MUMMY also came out that year.
The book is very different and more accurately adapted in the Kenneth Branagh version.
All the Universal horrors exist in some fictitious transalpine Mittel-Europa.
James Whale
Kenneth Strickfaden
German Expressionism
Colin Clive
Boris Karloff
Mary Wollstonescraft Shelley
The stormy horror challenge during the summer holiday with Lord Byron in Geneva
The interconnected Universal horror cycle (Dracula, Mummy, Wolfman, Frankenstein's monster, Invisible Man)
The Dr. Frankenstein Hammer horror cycle (Peter Cushing's signature role)
"The Bride of Frankenstein" (the first sequel)
"Gods and Monsters" (James Whale biopic)
"Mary Shelley" (Shelley biopic)
"Mary Shelley's Frankenstein" (Branagh's version)
"Young Frankenstein" (Mel Brooks' classic parody of this and "Bride")
"Van Helsing" (pulpy action version with a terrific Frankenstein's monster played by Shuler Hensley)
Bernie Wrightson's illustrated Frankenstein (gorgeously illustrated)
All things you should acquaint yourself with if you have a passion for this story and/or classic cinema.
This movie ranked at #27 in the 100 scariest movie moments on Bravo and the monster is actor Boris Karloff
It’s so well done!
@@ReelReviewsWithJen Yes indeed
This film and Bride Of Frankenstein have 100% on RT.
Yeah I definitely need to watch Bride Of Frankenstein! So awesome there’s a sequel.
@@ReelReviewsWithJen Bride feels like the second half of the story. A must watch.
You gotta do The Wolfman with staring Lon Chaney Jr, Claude Rains and Bela Legosi! 😀❤
I've loved these classic horror movies since I was a little kid. My personal favorites are "The Invisible Man" starring Claude Rains from 1933, "The Creature From The Black Lagoon" from 1954, "The Wolfman" from 1941 and "Frankenstein Meets The Wolfman" from 1943. Honestly, the 2009 remake of "The Wolfman" was good too. My only gripe with that movie is that I wished they used more practical effects for the transformations.
This movie was very impactful and controversial when it was released in the same way as "The Exorcist" was. The scene where the father was carrying his dead daughter's body through town after she drowned had people running out of some theaters in 1931.
Boris Karloff was also the voice actor and narrator for the Animated version of The Grinch Stole Christmas, and this movie along with the other Universal monster movies didn't have the ratings system that there is today, Bride of Frankenstein, is the direct sequel, plus there are 2 other Frankenstein movies along with Abbott and Costello meet Frankenstein, Boris Karloff and Glenn Strange played the monster in the various movies, The Black Cat is a movie that had both Bela Lugosi and Boris Karloff.
Karloff also voiced the doctor in ‘Mad Monster Party’
Those things on his neck are not bolts. They are electrodes that connect to the machines that create the electrical energy.
Before you watch ‘Young Frankenstein’ I suggest you watch the sequel to this film, ‘The Bride of Frankenstein’ 1935.
You want to see another amazing set? Check out The Abominable Dr. Phibes starring my favorite old school horror actor, Vincent Price ❤
Enthusiastic seconding for Dr. Phibes, as much a comedy as a horror feature - and the Art Deco touches are indeed a delight! 😎
The monster tells Frankenstein- I have love in me the likes of which you have never seen rage in me the likes of which you would never know, if I can't have one I will indulge in the other.
Lugosi was already a star from Dracula earlier that year and forever regretted turning down the role of the Monster here. Karloff went on to eclipse Lugosi as the greatest horror star since Lon Chaney, playing The Mummy a year later. Some women did faint or run screaming out of the theatres. When's the last tim that happened? Colin Clive created the archetype of the mad scientist in this film. Sadly, he died very young. The scene where he throws the girl into the water was not in the original theatrical release, as it was considered too graphic. The footage was restored to the film in the 1980s when home video became a thing. In the original cut, you just see him reach for her, then it cuts away. Dwight Frye, who played Fritz, was also Renfield in Dracula. Sadly, he never got roles that good again. This is so iconic. I mean, ninety years later, our kids are still eating Frankenberries. And thanks to a 19 year old Mary Shelley, science fiction was created.
If I remember right the reason given for throwing Maria into the lake was as they had been tossing flowers into the lake the creature having run out of flowers thought that pretty things should float on the lake and so tossed her in and when she didn't float he panicked. And while the creature doesn't speak I'm sure you've heard Karloff's voice before as he was the narrator on the old cartoon version of "How The Grinch Stole Christmas".
There was Frankenstein made in 1994 that was basically made the same way all on the Universal lot . Kenneth Braghnah wanted to basically film the same way as the original Frankenstein So most of the sets were built by scratch.
Did you spot Frankenstein throwing dirt in the face of death? Right at the start.
The cinematography was inspired by German expressionism from the 1920s, like Nosferatu. This style of filmmaking would later influence film noir. And yes, they did have dolly systems in the 1930s.
The man who introduced the film is actor Edward Van Sloan, who also played Doctor Waldmen in the film. He is most known for playing Abraham Van Helsing in Universal's "Dracula," which also came out in 1931. In my opinion, the best version of Van Helsing ever put to screen.
YES, am all time classic! Just got done watching THE RELIC. You should watch Bride Of Frankenstein, as the film has homosexual undertones between Frankenstein and Pretorius.
The Relic is one of my favorites. Just a fun as hell movie.
Have you seen ‘Gods and Monsters’ (1998)? It’s brilliant.
I definitely recommend Bride of Frankenstein and Son of Frankenstein, the final film to star Boris Karloff as The Monster. All 3 films are referenced in Young Frankenstein, so it would be nice to see those before watching Gene Wilder's 1974 masterpiece, which is perhaps the best one of all.
Great reaction, and great appreciation for a horror classic!!!!! Boris Karloff, who played the monster, starred in horror movies all the way into the 1960s. He also had a television series called Thriller. Excellent that you did this video!!!
It was filmed on the universal back lot.
The working electrical devices on set actually belonged to Nikola Tesla.
Wow really?! That’s so cool!
@@ReelReviewsWithJen those electrical devices were later used in The Incredible Hulk TV series episode "The First" in 1981.
Mary Shelley would not have loved the sequels to the first two movies. She would have hated them.
While I absolutely recommend Young Frankenstein, watch Bride of Frankenstein and Son of Frankenstein first. Young Frankenstein is so much funnier when you get all the references.
The town where this was photographed is called Universal City, CA, which is an unincorporated area within the San Fernando Valley region of Los Angeles County, California. Basically it was shot at Universal Studios, both on soundstages and the backlot.
Yes you should absolutely watch Young Frankenstein. In fact, watching it right after the original would probably be great, as there are numerous references to scenes in the original.
I don't know if you've seen Young Frankenstein but it is based on this film, including the same sets. Dwight Frye who played the hunchback was also in Dracula as Renfield and many other Universal horror films.
I wanna go to the lobby now.
This movie, although iconic in its own right, has almost nothing in common with the book. Another worthy read ... although I understand that it is simply not possible to delve into the source material of every film you indulge in. Still, the old cliche holds true. Books, with the luxury of exploring great detail ... and exploiting our imaginations ... are almost always more satisfying than their film adaptations.
I second that. The book is very readable. Easier to digest than Dracula, even though that book came out nearly 80 year later.
The film was adapted from a play based on the novel.
A very interesting spin on the Frankenstein story was done in an episode of "The Highlander" T.V. series in which Duncan McCloud... "The Highlander" is a guest at the weekend retreat with Mary Shelly and company during which Shelly gains inspiration to write the story from Duncan.
What:s wild is that at some point in the 1800's, I forget when,mid it late maybe, people were fascinated with the usages if using electricity to reanimate or revive dead bodies, putting electrical current through the newly dead like executed bodies, watching the facial features grimace or the limbs move
I'm a 30's film fan. (Love 40's and 50's too.) Bride of Frankenstein is often considered a superior film. Dracula, The Invisible Man, Freaks and Old Dark House are great 30's films to react to. Of course Creature From the Black Lagoon from 1954 is one of my faves and I met Julia (Julie) Adams a year before she died. I have coffee mugs of Leila Hyams (Freaks) and the great Carole Lombard. Oh, Boris Karloff was Frankenstein's Monster who went on to be a horror movie icon for decades.
The Town was filmed at Universal Studios in their backlot. It's part of the tour to this day.
PS: Other suggestions from this time period? Over the course of 1931-1932 you've got four genuinely creepy movies that have totally held up: Island Of Lost Souls, Freaks, M and Dr. Jekyll And Mr. Hyde (still the best version). In 1933, you've got King Kong, which changes the game in terms of special effects, spectacle and also musical score. All of those, highly recommend.
My mother was a young girl when this movie came out. She recounted how some people ran out of the theatre screaming in horror at the sight of the monster. People in 1931 has never seen anything like this before.
You MUST see 'Bride' (at least), but 'Son of..." and "House of.." were quite a blast. I enjoyed your reaction to this classic. Boris was also amazing in 'The Mummy' from 1932 and 'The Old Dark House' from around the same time.
Just so you know - Gloria Stuart, the elderly Rose from Mr. Cameron's magnum opus, acts as the female lead not only in The Old Dark House, but also in 1933's The Invisible Man! 😯 🤯
It was probably Boris Karloff's first big role. He had had countless small supporting parts before this, but I think they were gambling on him becoming an iconic horror star, and it paid off!
The Creature didn’t have a name in the novel either, though he did at one point tell Frankenstein that he ought to be his “Adam”, but is “rather the fallen angel”. And yes, he was intelligent and articulate in the novel. Eventually.
The entire film was shot at a film studio. Everything you see on screen was a set... interiors and exteriors. The village scenes were shot at Universal Studios' "European village" outdoor set. All the extras you see are just that: extras hired by the studio.
You should check out the Frankenstein sequel, Jen, The Bride of Frankenstein, which is often considered to be even better than the original. You should also check out the Mel Brooks comedy Young Frankenstein, Jen. lol 😆 It's a great spoof of the Frankenstein movies.
When Frankenstein first came out in 1931 it was still pre-code Hollywood, before the Hays Code was enforced. As a result, many scenes in Frankenstein were edited years later when the film was rereleased. Different parts of the USA demanded that certain parts of the film be edited out due to people objecting to scenes that were considered shocking, blasphemous, or inappropriate. It was banned in Ireland. lol
back in the 70's the advertising pushed the tag line was "no one will be admitted in the last 20 minuets" it was The Last House on the Left.
"It's . . . ALIIIIVE!!!!"
You definitely need to watch YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN but first things first... you need to see BRIDE OF FRANKENSTEIN and SON OF FRANKENSTEIN or you won't understand half the jokes.
This is the movie that put Boris Karloff on the map! He was basically unknown before FRANKENSTEIN made him famous.
The movie takes a lot of liberties with the book.
In fact, the movie is actually based around the play by Peggy Webling rather than the book by Mary Shelley.
There were 6 sequels. There were countless remakes, including a few Japanese versions where the monster is gigantic like Godzilla and is called, "Frankenstein". The first sequell, "The Bride Of Frankenstein" is more like the book than the first one. Boris Karloff had done a few bit parts prior to "Frankenstein" but was basically unknown. "Frankenstein" made him a big star at age 42.
The fall from the windmill was originally supposed to kill Henry Frankenstein, but after a preview audience hated that ending a happier one was added on.
Thank you for doing this, Ms. Jen. Frankenstein is one of my absolute favorite movies, and one of my "perfect Halloween movies."
It's hard for us, 90+ years later, to understand how this movie affected people back then. In the 1930s, Frankenstein was considered to be *the* scariest movie ever made: people fainted, people walked out of screenings, religious organizations protested in the streets. It is an absolutely groundbreaking classic.
I join others in heartily recommending The Bride of Frankenstein. It is not just one of the greatest sequels of all time, but one of the best American movies, period. :)
The initial reaction to the movie is a testament to just how placid and tranquil ordinary life could be back then. (Not very often, but when it *was* - oh, boy!) 😴 😁
Boris Karloff was the narrator and the voice of the Grinch in "How the Grinch Stole Christmas!" (TV Movie), 1966.
So yes: horror.
Boris Karloff was in fourteen movies in 1931. His first movie was in 1919.
Are there any remakes of Frankenstein?Oooh boy are there a lot of remakes of Frankenstein!
Begining in 1948 Universal made a series of comic/horror films featuring Abbott and Costelllo. The first one was "Abbott and Costello meet Frankenstein". The cast included Bela Lugosi as Dracula, Lon Cheney Jr. as Larry Talbot (the Wolfman) and Glenn Strange as the monster. My fav of the series was "Abbott and Costello meet the Killer". That had Boris Karloff as the title character. ✌
William "Bud" Abbott and Lou Costello were one of the premier comic duos of American cinema, Abbott being the slick straight man and Costello the baby-faced dupe. Their wordplay and Costello's body language still have the power to draw out a smile at the VERY least. I do hope, Ms. Jen, that you view some of their earlier efforts before seeing them go up against Universal's stable of sinister stalwarts. To this end I heartily recommend 1941's Buck Privates (their first movie as the leads) and the 1947 sequel, Buck Privates Come Home. 😎 😆
I hope you read comments from 10 months ago, because I just watched this reaction and didn’t find Young Frankenstein in your movies lists. I think your subscribers would appreciate your reaction to that film, and clock which scenes from the original you recognize in the spoof. By the way, they were able to use (some of) the original equipment from the original movie’s creation scene (the one with the lightning) in Young Frankenstein. Way cool. Thanks for this one, Jen.
Boris Karloff is also the narrator of the Dr. Seuss classic How the Grinch Stole Christmas. 😎
Just 10 short years after Nosferatu as well. just the progression of movies from silent to talking, plus the effects makeup in nosferatu the make was more basic but this took it one step further, there are many many many remakes and sequels and alternate world stories, plus nods and spoofs, like frankenhooker.. yeah thats real film,
Bride, Son, ghost, meets the wolf man, house of, house of dracula, abbot and costello meet frankenstein, not to mention young frankenstein, , then you have the Hammer Frankenstein movies the last frankensteins monter movie was about 2015/2019, there are a lot of movies like this one in 1965: Ishirō Honda's 1965 tokusatsu kaiju film Frankenstein Conquers the World was produced by Toho Company Ltd.. The film's prologue is set in World War II; the monster's heart is stolen by Nazis from the laboratory of Dr. Reisendorf in war-torn Frankfurt, and taken to Imperial Japan. Immortal, the heart survives the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and, by 15 years later, has regenerated a new body which feeds on protein, eventually growing into a giant humanoid monster named Frankenstein that breaks loose and battles the burrowing dinosaur Baragon that was destroying villages and devouring people and animals.
That scene of the Frankenstein monster tossing the little girl in the lake is iconic. A lot of people get confused and call the monster Frankenstein, but that's the name of the doctor. Thanks for doing this. If not already in your schedule, would love you to do other Universal monster movies like Dracula, The Werewolf and Creature from the Black Lagoon.😁👍🙀🎃💀👻
The Creature didn't toss the little girl into the water because of malice. He just didn't understand that she wouldn't float like the flowers. He did it out of total ignorance.
Looking forward to your reaction to this one. The book by the way, is worth reading: by Mary Shelley, wife of the poet Percy Shelley, both radical thinkers of their time.
Ooh. Take careful readings of the beginning credits: "Henry Frankenstein" and his actor, Colin Clive, are right there at the top.
Karloff actually injured his back during the windmill scene. It was a lifelong injury. Like many actors famous for playing sinister characters, Karoloff seemed to have been a gentle person in real life. He also had a lovely speaking voice. If you have have every watched the old cartoon of the Grinch, Karloff was the narrator. He and Bela Lugosi (the 1930s Dracula) starred together in an odd film, "The Black Cat". Worth watching for the scenes between them, and a haunting scene of Karloff walking down a significant corridor with the titular black cat nestled in his arms. I love that particular scene especially with how comfortable that cat looks with Karloff.
I can't believe you've never seen this, I grew up with it, read the book, assembled the model, had a 6' tall poster of the monster that glowed in the dark. Btw the subtitle of the book is "The Modern Prometheus". The part of the monster was offered first to Bela Lugosi who'd had a hit with "Dracula" but he thought it was beneath him, just a lot of grunting. He forever regretted that decision because it made Boris Karloff a household name. The sunken face wasn't created with makeup, the director had Boris remove his dental bridge from that side of his face.