Frankenstein: The Characters

Frankenstein is a movie with a small cast, and huge performances. Of the five main players, only two are at the story’s central conflict: Henry Frankenstein and the monster.  Other characters, like Fritz, Elizabeth, and Dr. Waldman, are important, but not necessary to the main thrust of the story.  As such, although the rest of

Frankenstein: Genre and Themes

It doesn’t seem possible that Frankenstein can be sorted into any genre except horror.  A monster on a killing spree, a mad scientist in his lab, spooky shadows and an opening in a graveyard?  It can’t be anything but horror, can it? Turns out, it can. Like we’ve discussed before, every story ever created, no

Frankenstein: The Story

Before Frankenstein even starts, the movie wants you to know that it isn’t messing around.  This isn’t a horror-comedy, or a mildly spooky drama.  This is a horror story, make no mistake. The film opens up in a rather unconventional way.  Edward Van Sloan, who plays Dr. Waldman in the film, appears from behind a

Frankenstein: Legacy and Impact

If I sat you down with a pencil and paper and asked you to draw me a picture of the Frankenstein monster, odds are, I can tell you exactly what you’d draw. A large figure with a flat-top head, greenish-pale skin, with bolts sticking out of the neck, and heavy eyelids.  If you were particularly

Frankenstein (1931) 1 hr and 11 min Obsessive scientist Dr. Henry Frankenstein assembles a body together from parts of the dead in order to create life.  With the help of his assistant, Fritz, he succeeds, and his creation comes to life.  The creation escapes the laboratory in which it was created, and wreaks havoc in

Oscar History: 1930

Director Lewis Milestone’s controversial film All Quiet On the Western Front won two major awards: Best Picture and Best Director.  This was the first time that a film’s director was also awarded the Best Director as well as the Best Picture win.