The Many Faces of Frankenstein
- Oct 10, 2014
- 3 min read
by Lennon George
Frankenstein’s monster has long been a fan favorite of horror and monster movie fanatics around the world. It’s just something about that freakishly tall, pale green monster with brute strength that pulls at some of our morbid heartstrings. I have always been a big fan of Frankenstein I would have to say it is my favorite classic horror/monster movie.
Universal Pictures released Frankenstein in 1931 as a horror monster film directed by James Whale. The film was an adaption of the Frankenstein play by Peggy Webling that was loosely based on the novel sharing the same title written by Mary Shelley.
The late great Boris Karloff played the character Frankenstein, but did you know that he was not the original actor cast to play the part? After the success of Dracula the legendary Bela Lugosi was the first choice to play Dr. Frankenstein. Unfortunately, he was not suitable for the role and rumor has it he didn’t care for the role and was kicked off of the film along with the original director Robert Florey once Mr. Whale came on board.
Some say this was the biggest mistake in Lugosi’s career he later would go on to play the monster in Frankenstein Meets the Wolf Man a decade later, when his career was in decline and only after Lon Chaney, Jr. refused to play both the Wolfman and Frankenstein in the film for the same amount of pay. Chaney previously appeared as the Monster in the Frankenstein film Ghost of Frankenstein.
The film opened in New York City at the Mayfair Theatre on December 4, 1931, it grossed $53,000 in one week. It was a big hit by June of 1932 the film had earned a reported $1.4 million. By 1953 all the Frankenstein films earned an estimated profit of $13 million.
With the success of the film many sequels followed starting with the Bride of Frankenstein in 1935, in which actress Elsa Lanchester played the Monster’s bride. The Bride of Frankenstein was profitable for Universal; in 1943 the film reportedly had earned approximately $2 million ($27.3 million as of 2014) for the studio, a profit of about $950,000 ($13 million as of 2014).
Although the film was given much praise upon its release, some reviewers based their opinions on the film being in the horror genre. The New York World-Telegram called the film "good entertainment of its kind". The New York Post described it as "a grotesque, gruesome tale, which of its kind, is swell". The Hollywood Reporter similarly called the film "a joy for those who can appreciate it". The Bride was also nominated for an Academy Award, for Best Sound Recording.
The film's reputation has grown persistently since its release. In 1998, the film was added to the United States National Film Registry, being considered "culturally, historically or aesthetically significant". Repeatedly acknowledged as James Whale's masterpiece, the film is praised as "the finest of all gothic horror movies".
Time Magazine included Bride of Frankenstein in its "All-Time 100 Movies", where critics Richard Corliss and Richard Schickel rejected the magazine's original review to declare the film "one of those rare sequels that is infinitely superior to its source".
In 2008, the film was selected by Empire magazine as one of The 500 Greatest Movies of All Time. Also in 2008, the Boston Herald named it the second greatest horror film after Nosferatu. Even Entertainment Weekly considers the film to be superior to Frankenstein.
Funko recently has released a Universal Monsters Pop! Vinyl figure line, including Frankenstein and his Bride as well as Glitter Shock and Mystic Powers Frankenstein Hikari figures -- you can get these from Toy Wars. Entertainment Earth has an additional Exclusive Distressed Frankenstein. Hot Topic is also releasing exclusive Glow In The Dark variants of the pair so be on the look out for those to hit stores and their website real soon, or you can wait for us to post a link about it on our social media pages. Not following us? Then take a min to check us out on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Instagram.
Until next time “Keep It Poppin!”
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