Following Dracula less than ten months later, James Whale’s Frankenstein crafted a far more entertaining macabre feature and helped bring the first true horror boom to America. Utilizing stellar set design, a quicker pace and one hell of a cast, Frankenstein made for a true classic. Colin Clive is perfect as the man slipping into mania as he falls deeper into obsession, Dwight Frye gives another winning performance as the hunchbacked assistant Fritz and Boris Karloff became a legend with his beautiful portrayal of a sympathetic monster doomed to tragedy. Dr. Frankenstein is causing anxiety in his loved ones as he obsesses over his quest at playing God. With his loyal assistant in tow, he robs graves to collect the body parts his experiment necessitates. Fritz collects an abnormal brain (he accidentally destroyed the normal one) and when an electrical storm arrives, he’s ready to bring life to that which no longer lives. The arrival of his fiancée, best friend and former professor grants him an audience for his final triumph. As successful as his initial experiment was, he seems to be having trouble acclimating his creature to the world. The over exhaustion mixed with what may just be failure due to the creature’s savagery (exacerbated by Fritz’s abuse of the poor thing) leads Henry to suffer a nervous breakdown. It’s decided that he shall return home and Dr. Waldman (who has been working beside Henry since his successful animation of dead flesh) will destroy the creation. It doesn’t exactly work out that way and the monster escapes. Of course, Henry doesn’t realize that his failed experiment is haunting the countryside and making its way back to him... guaranteed to ruin his wedding day. From the atmospheric graveyard opening to the climatic windmill encounter, Frankenstein never really gives you a chance to catch your breath. It’s wonderful how quickly everything plays out. This first true American horror masterpiece has rightfully earned its spot in genre history. There will never be a more recognized monster in the filmgoing psyche.
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