Classics Review: Bride Of Frankenstein (1935)

After Frankenstein & Dracula became box office monster hits toward critics and movie goers from across the globe, Universal Pictures continued to produce a string of hit films related to Horror movies including, The Mummy, The Invisible Man, and The Raven. (has nothing to do with Raven off of Teen Titans) Universal produced a follow up to Frankenstein with Boris Karloff returning as the title character who meets a special someone like him. That special someone is none other than Bride Of Frankenstein.

Bride Of Frankenstein was released in 1935. Like it’s predecessor, the film was a box office hit. However, it received mixed reviews from critics. Yep this happens folks, back then this sequel didn’t earn critical acclaim as the first one. As the years go by, Bride went on to become a masterpiece like the rest of the monsters. Notable filmmakers including Joe Dante, Don Mancini, & Guillermo Del Toro, states that this picture inspired them to make movies.

After The Mummy was released starring Tom Cruise, Universal Pictures began to reboot more Universal Monsters characters by remaking them and thell eventually crossover together. A remake of Bride Of Frankenstein, is in development with Javier Bardem as Frankenstein, & Angelina Jolie as The Bride, have signed on to star in this upcoming film with Bill Condon, (Beauty & The Beast, Chicago) directing it.

This article doesn’t contain pivotal SPOILERS. You’re ok to check it out.

Alive: Boris Karloff & Colin Clive, reprise their roles as Frankenstein and Dr. Henry Frankenstein. They both did an awesome job for their performances.

Prosthetic Makeup was used to apply Karloff’s appearance to transform the actor into the monster we all know.

Practical Effects were heavily used to orchestrate certain aspects for the movie including Frankenstein’s super strength and a scene featuring camera trickery which was impressive at the time.

I gotta love Karloff’s scenes for his character learning to adapt from his surroundings as a way to display he’s not just a monster, but a human with elements of humanity, capable of growing.

Set Pieces were constructed by hand to create Dr. Frankenstein’s laboratory.

Cinematography was good. Dutch Angles were used sparingly and they were effective for a pivotal scene.

I think The Best Line in the movie is, “To a New world of gods and monsters!” This line was also used by Russell Crowe’s role as Dr. Jekyll/Mr. Hyde in the 2017 version of The Mummy.

Dead: You’re gonna have to be patient to see The Bride herself. I didn’t get bored throughout the entire duration. I’ll give this flaw a pass.

Dr. Frankenstein’s housekeeper is the same bartender from The Invisible Man, and for the love of god, she continues scream like a dingbat! I’ll have to Double Down this flaw, because I hate it when characters scream like Kate Capshaw as Willie from Temple Of Doom. She has Capshaw’s Disease! (CD for short)

The film’s duration seventy minutes long. Kinda weird for a full length feature film to be this long. I’m not sure if they made movies this long back then but this wouldn’t work it today’s entertainment. I would say the running time is the equivalent of an episode of any television drama.

If you’re a Social Justice Warrior, (SJW for short) please don’t send me any hate mail or accuse me as Neo-Confederate, because I’m not making this up. The annoying Housekeeper calls Dr. Pretorious, “very queer.” He wasn’t established as a gay character but I think the use of this word was completely taken out of context. Did the screenwriter forget to read The Dictionary?

The Final Verdict: B for BRILLIANT!

I thought the classic was great and it didn’t bore me at all. If you’re looking for classic horrors like Bride Of Frankenstein, I recommend this classic gem. I hope the remake is as good as the original.