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Frankenstein

  • 19311931
  • PassedPassed
  • 1h 10m
IMDb RATING
7.8/10
71K
YOUR RATING
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
Frankenstein (1931)
Trailer for Frankenstein
Play trailer1:38
1 Video
99+ Photos
  • Drama
  • Horror
  • Sci-Fi
Dr. Frankenstein dares to tamper with life and death by creating a human monster out of lifeless body parts.Dr. Frankenstein dares to tamper with life and death by creating a human monster out of lifeless body parts.Dr. Frankenstein dares to tamper with life and death by creating a human monster out of lifeless body parts.
IMDb RATING
7.8/10
71K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • James Whale
  • Writers
    • John L. Balderston(based upon the composition by)
    • Mary Shelley(from the novel by)
    • Peggy Webling(adapted from the play by)
  • Stars
    • Colin Clive
    • Mae Clarke
    • Boris Karloff
Top credits
  • Director
    • James Whale
  • Writers
    • John L. Balderston(based upon the composition by)
    • Mary Shelley(from the novel by)
    • Peggy Webling(adapted from the play by)
  • Stars
    • Colin Clive
    • Mae Clarke
    • Boris Karloff
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 646User reviews
    • 148Critic reviews
    • 91Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 4 wins & 3 nominations

    Videos1

    Frankenstein
    Trailer 1:38
    Frankenstein

    Photos157

    Boris Karloff in Frankenstein (1931)
    Colin Clive and Dwight Frye in Frankenstein (1931)
    Boris Karloff in Frankenstein (1931)
    Colin Clive in Frankenstein (1931)
    Boris Karloff in Frankenstein (1931)
    Boris Karloff in Frankenstein (1931)
    Boris Karloff and Marilyn Harris in Frankenstein (1931)
    Boris Karloff in Frankenstein (1931)
    Colin Clive and Dwight Frye in Frankenstein (1931)
    Boris Karloff and Colin Clive in Frankenstein (1931)
    Colin Clive stars as Dr. Frankenstein
    Boris Karloff stars as the monster

    Top cast

    Edit
    Colin Clive
    Colin Clive
    • Henry Frankensteinas Henry Frankenstein
    Mae Clarke
    Mae Clarke
    • Elizabethas Elizabeth
    Boris Karloff
    Boris Karloff
    • The Monsteras The Monster
    John Boles
    John Boles
    • Victor Moritzas Victor Moritz
    Edward Van Sloan
    Edward Van Sloan
    • Doctor Waldmanas Doctor Waldman
    Frederick Kerr
    Frederick Kerr
    • Baron Frankensteinas Baron Frankenstein
    Dwight Frye
    Dwight Frye
    • Fritzas Fritz
    Lionel Belmore
    Lionel Belmore
    • The Burgomasteras The Burgomaster
    Marilyn Harris
    Marilyn Harris
    • Little Mariaas Little Maria
    Ted Billings
    • Villageras Villager
    • (uncredited)
    Mae Bruce
    • Screaming Maidas Screaming Maid
    • (uncredited)
    Jack Curtis
    Jack Curtis
    • Villageras Villager
    • (uncredited)
    Arletta Duncan
    Arletta Duncan
    • Bridesmaidas Bridesmaid
    • (uncredited)
    William Dyer
    • Gravediggeras Gravedigger
    • (uncredited)
    Francis Ford
    Francis Ford
    • Hansas Hans
    • (uncredited)
    Mary Gordon
    Mary Gordon
    • Mourneras Mourner
    • (uncredited)
    Soledad Jiménez
    Soledad Jiménez
    • Mourneras Mourner
    • (uncredited)
    Carmencita Johnson
    Carmencita Johnson
    • Little Girlas Little Girl
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • James Whale
    • Writers
      • John L. Balderston(based upon the composition by)
      • Mary Shelley(from the novel by)
      • Peggy Webling(adapted from the play by)
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
    • All cast & crew

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      During production, there was some concern that seven-year-old Marilyn Harris, who played Maria, the little girl thrown into the lake by The Monster, would be overly frightened by the sight of Boris Karloff in costume and make-up when it came time to shoot the scene. When the cast was assembled to travel to the location, Harris ran from her car directly up to Karloff, who was in full make-up and costume, took his hand, and asked "May I drive with you?" Delighted, and in typical Karloff fashion, he responded, "Would you, darling?" She then rode to the location with "The Monster".
    • Goofs
      According to DVD commentary for this film, director James Whale intended this film to take place in an "alternate universe" and therefore freely mixed 19th Century and 1930s technology, hair fashions, etc.
    • Quotes

      Henry Frankenstein: Look! It's moving. It's alive. It's alive... It's alive, it's moving, it's alive, it's alive, it's alive, it's alive, IT'S ALIVE!

      Victor Moritz: Henry - In the name of God!

      Henry Frankenstein: Oh, in the name of God! Now I know what it feels like to be God!

    • Crazy credits
      In the opening credits: The Monster - ?
    • Alternate versions
      SPOILERS: The picture was scripted and filmed with Dr. Frankenstein seeming to die in the mill with his creation, but was instead released with a hastily re-shot happy ending, wherein Henry survives to marry Elizabeth (see "Trivia"). However, the sequel, Bride of Frankenstein (1935) literally followed the first scenario, and consequently just before "Bride" opened this film was reissued with the original finale restored. This movie was seen this way in all subsequent theatrical releases of the old Hollywood era, but when the entire package of classic Universal horror films was made available to television in the 1950s, the prints of the original movie carried the happy ending, and the incompatibility with the opening scene of "Bride..." confused new viewers.
    • Connections
      Edited into Boo! (1932)
    • Soundtracks
      Grand Appassionato
      (uncredited)

      Music by Giuseppe Becce

      [End title & end cast music]

    User reviews646

    Review
    Top review
    Wow! What a movie! A horror classic and still pure entertainment.
    'Frankenstein', like Todd Browning's 'Dracula' released earlier the same year (1931, a landmark year which also saw the release of Fritz Lang's dazzling serial killer thriller 'M'!), is an important movie and should be compulsory viewing for any SF/horror fan, but it isn't a dull movie to be studied, it is a wonderfully entertaining movie to be ENJOYED. Okay, the modern viewer has to try and watch it without jaded and cynical eyes and take it in its historical context to really appreciate it, but that isn't difficult. The acting is often hokey, the special effects, which were astonishing 70+ years ago, may look a little primitive by our standards, and the movie isn't anywhere near as terrifying to us as it was to 1930s movie audiences, but even so, I can't see how anyone can not LOVE this movie! Director James Whale was a lot more sophisticated and original than Todd Browning, and as much as I enjoy 'Dracula', 'Frankenstein' is a much better movie, and the best from this era, not counting its brilliant sequel 'Bride Of Frankenstein' which to mind mind actually surpasses it. Talented character actors Edward Van Sloan and Dwight Frye, both from 'Dracula', reappear in different but similar roles, and Colin Clive is fine as Henry Frankenstein, the prototype mad scientist, but the real star of the show, and the main reason this movie has lived for so many years, is the utterly superb performance by the legendary Boris Karloff as The Monster. I think Karloff is amazing in this and doesn't get the respect he deserves because many dismiss it as "just a horror movie". 'Frankenstein' is one of the most important and influential movies ever made, and is one movie I NEVER tire of no matter how many times I watch it, and James Whale is one of the most underrated directors of all time, looking at his innovative work in this, 'The Invisible Man', and especially 'Bride Of Frankenstein', the greatest sequel in the history of motion pictures. What a movie! What a director!
    helpful•14
    0
    • Infofreak
    • Apr 16, 2003

    FAQ13

    • Why did Bela Lugosi turn down the role?
    • Is the monster called Frankenstein?
    • What is 'Frankenstein' about?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • November 21, 1931 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official site
      • Official Facebook
    • Languages
      • English
      • Latin
    • Also known as
      • Frankenstein, el autor del monstruo
    • Filming locations
      • Little Europe, Backlot, Universal Studios - 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, California, USA
    • Production company
      • Universal Pictures
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $291,000 (estimated)
    • Gross worldwide
      • $1,626
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 10 minutes
    • Color
      • Black and White
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.37 : 1

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