Son of Frankenstein (1939)
- written November 2004
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Wolf von Frankenstein, son of Dr. Henry von Frankenstein, returns with his wife and child to his father’s estate to claim his inheritance. When he arrives, he receives a hostile reception from locals. While exploring his fathers laboratory he comes across a crooked blacksmith, Ygor, who asks him to revive the Monster, who is lying in a coma. Wolf tries to revive the monster and but when some of the locals are found murdered, who just happened to be part of the jury that sent Ygor to the gallows, Wolf knows what he must do. But the Monster will not go quietly into that good night!
Overall: This film has a totally different atmosphere than the 2 previous films (Frankenstein & Bride of Frankenstein). Those films portrayed a “human” monster, one who contemplated creation and place in the universe. This time, the Monster is nothing more than a hired assassin to do bidding of Ygor, a thief who had been improperly hung and no walks with permanent disfigurement. The film is fine as a sequel but really changed things up to such a point that frankly, Karloff had nothing to do as The Monster. Barely any talking and almost no real acting. I loved seeing Basil Rathbone in his role but frankly, this really looked like he was still molding his craft of acting. Frankly, I’d not have given him the role of Sherlock Holmes after this film’s performance. And although most people don’t like the little boy, I did. Thought the entrance of the kid was new and different and took the viewer away from what he missed with the other problems. I thought the reality of the family never leaving the house was quite absurd and the one-armed policemen was quite silly…every time he raises the fake arm, reminds me of “Dr. Strangelove.” Comparison: Frankenstein meets Teen Wolf 2 |
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