The Horror of Frankenstein (1970)

Director:

Jimmy Sangster

Writers:

Jeremy Burnham (writer)
Jimmy Sangster (writer)

Release Date:

17 June 1971 (USA)

Genre:

Horror | Sci-Fi

Plot:

The brilliant but misunderstood scientist Frankenstein builds a man made up of a collection of spare body parts...

Plot Keywords:

Horror Movie Remake | Severed Head | Doctor Frankenstein | Sequel | Obscene Finger Gesture

Cast

Ralph Bates	...	Victor Frankenstein
Kate O'Mara	...	Alys
Veronica Carlson	...	Elizabeth Heiss
Dennis Price	...	The Graverobber
Jon Finch	...	Lt. Henry Becker
Bernard Archard	...	Prof. Heiss
Graham James	...	Wilhelm Kassner
James Hayter	...	Bailiff
Joan Rice	...	Graverobber's wife
Stephen Turner	...	Stephan
Neil Wilson	...	Schoolmaster
James Cossins	...	Dean
Glenys O'Brien	...	Maggie
Geoffrey Lumsden	...	Instructor
Chris Lethbridge-Baker	...	Priest (as C. Lethbridge Baker)

Runtime:

95 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound Recording)

Certification:

Iceland:16 | Australia:M | Sweden:15 | UK:12 (video re-rating) (2002) | UK:15 (video rating) (1993) | UK:X (original rating) | USA:R

Filming Locations:

Elstree Film and TV Studios, Borehamwood, Hertfordshire, England, UK

Company:

EMI Films

Trivia:

This Frankenstein film stands alone and is not a part of Hammer's six film Frankenstein series, starring Peter Cushing as Dr. Frankenstein. It was, essentially a remake of The Curse of Frankenstein (1957), and it is rumored that a younger actor, Ralph Bates, was cast to appeal to a younger audience.

Goofs:

Continuity: When the monster first leaves the castle it pulls the lock right out of the door. Shortly afterward it is in place again without anybody having the time to do the repair.

Movie Connections:

Featured in Bring Back... Star Wars (2008) (TV)

Frankenstein en route to a gay bar....Darth Vader Lives!

Yes, there was life before Darth Vader. Dave Prowse, these days relegated to autograph shows (his signature: "Dave Prowse IS Darth Vader"), plays the oddly sexual Frankenstein monster in this rather cheesy flick. His Frankie springs forth with a shapely (and clean- shaven), buff chest, defined abs, and tree-trunk thigh and biceps. From the neck up, he's pretty unappealing, but from chin down, he'd be a big hit at a gay disco, barely clad in what look like boxer briefs.

Also of note and flashing some skin: Kate O'Mara plays a buxom housekeeper. Kate has played the devilish sister of two of the greatest characters ever to grace the small screen: Dynasty's Alexis Carrington and Absolutely Fabulous' Patsy Stone. Here she has a fairy substantial role (in a less-than-substantial film) as Victor Frankenstein's housekeeper and concubine.

Victor inherits her, along with the house, and keeps her around even though she can't cook. He does explain why, indirectly: When seeing her for the first time in a while, he comments, appreciatively, that she's put on some weight "in a couple of places." If her costume in this scene had been cut any lower, we'd see her belly button....

This one certainly wasn't ever in the running for an Oscar, but for what it is, it's not exactly unwatchable. It's a modern retelling of a classic tale -- updated to of course include plenty of sex and gore. Like most Hammer films, it's beautifully produced and the sets are pretty convincing (mostly) -- though I found the castle (and the film in general) to be too well-lit to be very spooky.

I was struck by one interesting little tidbit: This film was released by MGM about the same time the studio distributed Dan Curtis's House of Dark Shadows, which has a bit of a Hammer feel to it; and the lovely blonde actress featured in Horror of Frankenstein (Veronica Carlson as Elizabeth) bears a striking resemblance to Nancy Barrett, similarly featured in HODS as sexy vampire Carolyn Stoddard. I'm sure it's a coincidence, but their makeup and hairstyles are slightly similar, and they simply reminded me of each other.