Junior wants a try
Added 1/21/2009
Son of Frankenstein is the longest Universal monster\horror film. It is one hour and thirty-nine minutes long and was released on January 13, 1939. This would also be the last time Boris Karloff would portray the Monster. Lon Chaney, Jr. would take over the role in the Ghost of Frankenstein. In this movie the suit that the Monster wore in Frankenstein and the Bride of Frankenstein is gone. The Monster is now wearing a fur vest and tall boots. One must assume that the clothes he was wearing in the Bride of Frankenstein were destroyed when the building blew up. Also gone is his ability to speak as well. The viewer has to assume he lost that also when he blew himself up in the last movie. Also on a side note, there is only one clamp on his head. In the Bride of Frankenstein the Monster has several clamps on his head. The Monster does seem to have evolved in this movie. He can walk better and there is more thought in the Monster killing. In the Son of Frankenstein, we are introduced to Ygor for the first time, played by Béla Lugosi. The Son of Frankenstein takes thirty years into the future from the ending of the Bride of Frankenstein; at least we are to assume that. Baron Wolf von Frankenstein looks to be in his thirties. Basil Rathbone was 43 years old when the picture was made. In this picture you have a mixture of English and American actors and one Austria-Hungarian actor. The movie starts off with the arrival of Baron Wolf von Frankenstein and his family to the town of Frankenstein to reclaim his family ancestral home. It is hinted that he has been living in the United States for some years. The townspeople and Burgomaster and his Burghers are there to meet him and not to greet him. They hand over two boxes to Wolf; the big box contains the journal and notes his father's experiments and the smaller box holds the key to unlock the bigger box. Shortly after Wolf, Elsa, and Peter arrive at the castle, Inspector Krogh makes a complimentary greeting. He let them know his services are at there disposal. It is the next day and Wolf goes for a walk in the garden and comes across the old ruins where the monster was made. In the Bride of Frankenstein and Frankenstein the monster was created and died at an abandoned watch tower away from the castle; miles away we are to presume. Ygor meets Dr. Frankenstein and shows him a secret that been hidden for year. He takes him to the crypts of his father and grandfather and show the Monster at the end and between the two crypts lying in a comatose state. Ygor explains that the Monster was out hunting food and lighting struck him and he walks no more. During the conversation between the two of them Wolf says something along the line, "do you mean to imply that it is my brother." Dr. Frankenstein agrees to make the Monster well again. Dr. Frankenstein refurbishes the old ruins and turns it into a lab just like his father before him. Unlike the first time when lightning was used to bring the Monster to life, Wolf uses a generator and electrodes to bring the Monster back to life. When the Monster does not wake up from his coma, Dr. Frankenstein believes he has failed. He heads back to the castle disappointed. Later on we find out the Monster is alive and doing Ygor's bidding. It is not mention in the movie nor is it explained how the two met and how does Ygor have control over him. Later on Wolf finds out the Monster is alive a rushes back to the lab. He discovers the monster is gone and starts gathering some instruments in the lab. While Wolf if doing that, the Monster climbs up from the lave pits and makes presents himself to Wolf. Wolf turns around and is startled. The monster touches Wolf and finds some resemblance between Henry Frankenstein and Wolf. The Monster sees himself in a mirror and realizes that he is alive and to a point is upset to still be living. He grabs Wolf and brings him into the mirror and realizes it is not his creator. Wolf tells Ygor that he must remain in the lab if he wants to keep the Monster well. Later that evening Ygor gets the Monster to kill the final Burgher who hanged him several years ago. The villagers are outraged that there have been two killings since Baron Wolf von Frankenstein and plan to storm the castle. Inspector Krogh puts guards in front of the castle to protect the Baron and Baroness. Baron Frankenstein is upset that he is a prisoner in his own castle. Baron Frankenstein tells Inspector Krogh that he is going to kick Ygor off the property. When Wolf does find Ygor, Ygor comes after him with a hammer and Wolf shoots three times and kills Ygor. When the Monster finds Ygor lifeless body, he first shows sympathy that his friend has died and then decides to kill Peter, Wolf's son. He finds Peter and brings him back to the lab. Back at the castle Elsa von Frankenstein rushes in and says Peter is missing. Both Wolf and Inspector Krogh go in different directions to find Peter. Inspector Krogh finds Peter and the Monster first and Inspector Krogh shoots at the Monster. The Monster rips off Inspector Krogh artificial arm and seems surprise that it is not a real arm. Just then Wolf swing from a chain from the top of the lab and knocks the Monster into the lava pits killing the Monster and Peter is saved. At the end of the movie Wolf turns over the estate to the town of Frankenstein and telling the people to do what they please and Wolf, Elsa, and Peter board the train and leave the town never to come back. Just like the first two movies this is an excellent movie. A must for any Universal monster\horror fans. Son of Frankenstein gets an AAAAA+++++.
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One of the all time greats
Added 12/8/2008
When it comes to Universal Studios you'll be hard pressed to find any with a greater legacy in the horror genre. Without Universal horror as we know it would be very different as these films by Universal inspired a whole generation of filmmakers even this current generation as well. Universal really set the bar for the horror genre in the 30s and in my opinion no studio has really ever come close. Son of Frankenstein was one of their last great movies. While they did make a lot of classics after this, but Son of Frankenstein was one of the last greats from the Golden era of Universal.
Horror is a genre that will never die and while there are times when they might be lacking a bit in ticket sales it never lasts too long. At the time horror wasn't really in a decline, but it wasn't as popular as it was just a couple of short years before. But with horror back in an upswing Universal was ready to once again get in the game. One of the ideas was a remake of the James Whale classic The Old Dark House from 1932 and another idea was a remake of The Black Cat from 1934, which starred Boris Karloff and Bela Lugosi, and both would have starred in the remake. But instead they decided to go back to the Monster movies and bring back the classic franchise of Frankenstein.
Released in 1939 Son of Frankenstein was yet another winner for Universal. The only thing missing was director James Whale who didn't come back. Rowland V. Lee steps into the director's chair and for the most part does a great job. As far as filmmaking goes I have to say Son of Frankenstein is probably the best of the series. While not the best movie in the franchise this one is the best made, but it does sort of lack the James Whale touch, but this movie is so great it's easy to get over.
The script by Wyllis Cooper is fantastic; from just a writing standpoint I think this was the best screenplay of the series. The only flaw was the way the Monster was written, which I'll get into later. But the script is really smart and creative even if it follows the same basic structure of the original. The characters are all excellent and very fleshed out.
Rowland V. Lee really creates a masterpiece of filmmaking. As I stated earlier from a filmmaking standpoint this one is by far the best of the series, but it does lack the James Whale touch. The pacing of the movie is quite good; Son of Frankenstein gets off to a quick start, but does slightly slowdown in the middle sections. While never boring it's just a little slow. Rowland V. Lee though always manages to get the most out of each scene. While this one does lack the eerie feel of the original the final act does manage to deliver some chills. About the only complaint I have is the way the Frankenstein Monster was used.
Son of Frankenstein is the last movie in which Boris Karloff played the Iconic character. This time around the Monster isn't really the star of the movie. Obviously he plays a big part, but he's not as crucial to this one as he was in the previous two and he was a bit underused as well. He doesn't enter the movie until around the 30-minute mark and he doesn't really get to do much until the hour mark. The Monster was sympathetic, but yet scary as well. By right the Monster was by no means a villain, but this time around, while not totally a villain, he's not as sympathetic as he was before. James Whale really knew how to use the Monster and after he left I do think the filmmakers of the rest never used the Monster to his full advantage.
The one thing we know from Bride of Frankenstein is the Monster can be manipulated and Ygor played brilliantly by Bela Lugosi uses the Monster to do his dirty work, but in typical Universal fashion your villain isn't always pure evil. While Ygor is a pretty bad guy, he does seem to care for the Monster. In the first two Frankenstein movies the Monster only kills when provoked or scared, but this time Ygor is able to get him to kill people he wants revenge on.
The true stars of the movie are Wolf Von Frankenstein played by Basil Rathbone and Ygor. Like I said the Monster was just sort of there. But despite the Monster being underused, Karloff once again is nothing short of brilliant. He doesn't get a chance to show as much emotion as he did in the past two movies, but he does have his moments like when he sees his reflection in the mirror. One of the greatest moments comes in the final act, I don't wanna spoil the movie, but there is a scene with Ygor where the Monster lets out this scream, which was quite sad and Karloff just amazed me. Boris Karloff was truly one of the greats and in that brief moment all the sympathy for the Monster comes back.
Even though most fans seem to love Basil Rathbone in this flick a lot say he was a bit over the top. I totally disagree. I thought he was amazing; I loved Colin Clive as Henry Frankenstein, but he was over the top. There are moments when Rathbone is a bit over the top, but it fits with his character. In my opinion this is as good as any performance you'll find in this genre. Most people cite Dracula as Lugosi's best performance, but there are a number of people that will say Ygor was his best and I think I might agree. Lugosi was great as Ygor and as great as he was as Dracula I think I liked him a bit more here. Lionel Atwill also appears and once again is excellent.
The final act to Son of Frankenstein was my favorite parts of the movie; in my opinion this was the Monster at his scariest. While I think Karloff's performance was brilliant I think we can all agree it was better in Frankenstein and Bride of Frankenstein, but when the Monster goes on his rampage at the end his anger and rage were quite creepy and I think from a scare factor, this was the best performance by Karloff even if as a whole he was far better in the previous two.
Son of Frankenstein was the last truly great entry in the series and is every bit as good as the first two. I'd give Bride of Frankenstein the edge, but would rate this on par with the original. At 99-minutes this is the longest entry in the series and despite a couple of slow moments it never drags.
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FRANKENSTEIN,THE WIZARD AND SCARLET! YEAH '39 WAS A GREAT YEAR!
Added 2/22/2008
'Son Of Frankenstein' is the last great Frankenstein film! Karloff would say goodbye to the role that made him a star forever after this picture. The sets are great and the atmosphere is rich, add Rathbone and Lugosi with excellent performances and you got yourself a top notch monster movie. Karloff spends most of the film comatose which it a shame because he really does bring this character to life and without him the film becomes talky. This is the longest 'Frankenstein' film at 100 minutes which goes by quickly watching this third outing. Those factors make me bring the rating of the film down to 4 1/4 stars. The ending is very memorable and it could have been a great ending to the series but.......you can't keep a great monster down! Five more 'Frankenstein' films would follow. This is available on DVD on Frankenstein Legacy set and a double bill with 'Ghost of Frankenstein'. The DVD transfers are very good.
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Artistically great, story average
Added 11/2/2007
Storywise, "Son of Frankenstein" is just an average monster movie. Boris Karloff's make-up and costume is not as good as in "Frankenstein" and "Bride of Frankenstein." Who came up with that furry, sleeveless vest--looking like it was made from used carpeting? And why is it that the monster forgot how to talk, something he learned in the previous movie? The pathos he displays in the first two movies is missing here, except for a brief moment when he finds Igor's body.
But artistically this film is a masterpiece. The set for Frankenstein's castle is brilliant: huge, forboding, made of cold stone--hard to imagine it as "home." And the acting! I think this is the best acting in any of the horror films of the 30's, 40's, and 50's. All three principle actors give Oscar-caliber performances, in my opinion. Basil Rathbone, always dependable, cranks it up a few notches towards the end as his panic starts growing. Lionel Atwill is great as the chief of police, growing more and more suspicious of the new Dr. Frankenstein. Late in the film, his verbal jousting with Rathbone is priceless. Both of them know more than they are saying, and both of them know that the other knows! And Bela Lugosi is brilliant as Igor--simply brilliant. He couldn't be more unrecognizable from his suave gentleman vampire Count Dracula. And I don't just mean the make-up, his voice and manner too. Horror movies were mostly overlooked in those days, but he definitely deserved a Best Supporting Actor nomination.
So enjoy this movie on an artistic level--it's worth it. I never get tired of it.
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less effective than the two previous films, but still good.
Added 2/25/2007
"son of frankenstein" doesn't work quite as well as the earlier two films, but is still enjoyable thanks to a brilliant cast, a good script and some marvellous film sets.
always a pleasure to see some british actors in a hollywood production; boris karloff, basil rathbone and lionel atwill.
i think karloff made the right decision to end his time playing the creature; if he had continued, the character would have become stereotyped and thus removing its realism. he plays the part well enough, but not quite so in-depth as before. the one scene where i couldn't help but smile, is when the creature breaks into a shop. having done so, he looks out the window of the front door to make sure the coast is clear and pulls down the blind. that comes across as some sort of in-joke.
basil rathbone is very well cast as the latest line in the frankenstein family. he proves here that sherlock holmes wasn't the only character he could play well. the same applies to bela lugosi, having finally been given the chance to play someone as far removed from dracula as possible. if only this had happened more often, his career would have recovered.
my favourite member of the supporting cast, is without doubt lionel atwill. a terrific performance from start to finish; the way he has to keep adjusting his false arm when saluting is quite amusing.
this was the beginning of universal's "cheap and cheerful" output of horror films that lasted until the mid 40s. that isn't a bad thing exactly, but the films should have maintained a more substantial budget.
"son of frankenstein" finishes with a grand finale, consisting of a showdown between frankenstein and his creature.
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