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IMDbPro

Frankenstein

  • 19311931
  • PassedPassed
  • 1h 10m
IMDb RATING
7.8/10
75K
YOUR RATING
Frankenstein (1931)
Trailer for Frankenstein
Play trailer1:38
1 Video
99+ Photos
DramaHorrorSci-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
75K
YOUR RATING
    • 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
    • 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
    • 664User reviews
    • 159Critic reviews
    • 91Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards

    Videos1

    Frankenstein
    Trailer 1:38
    Watch Frankenstein

    Photos168

    Boris Karloff in Frankenstein (1931)
    Boris Karloff in Frankenstein (1931)
    Boris Karloff in Frankenstein (1931)
    Boris Karloff in Frankenstein (1931)
    Boris Karloff in Frankenstein (1931)
    Boris Karloff in Frankenstein (1931)
    Boris Karloff in Frankenstein (1931)
    Colin Clive and Dwight Frye in Frankenstein (1931)
    Boris Karloff in Frankenstein (1931)
    Boris Karloff in Frankenstein (1931)
    Colin Clive and Dwight Frye in Frankenstein (1931)
    Boris Karloff in Frankenstein (1931)

    Top cast

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

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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, The 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 reviews664

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    9/10
    Dated-yes, scary-sure, must see-absolutely !
    James Whale's original FRANKENSTEIN is a short but memorable horror classic that has influenced so many other fright flicks, it should be considered the Godfather of Horror Movies. This was the first of Universal Studios' moody screen adaptations of literary Gothic horror (the other being Dracula). Put all thoughts regarding Mary Shelly's novel aside and see this original work of art, with Boris Karloff bringing the ultimate monster to life.

    The sets are a pure spin off of German Expressionism. The good Doctor Frankenstein's castle is twisted and distorted and seems to be not of this world. He is played by Colin Clive in a delightfully freakish performance. And, of course, the well-proportioned Fritz is there to help. Notice the signposts of evil in the opening grave robbing scenes. It is a prop-master's dream and the black and white photography displays a theatrical sense of spookiness. "It's Alive!" will live forever as one of the cinema's most familiar lines and the picture begins to sparkle as Karloff is brought to life. The influence of Fritz Lang's METROPOLIS is evident during the dazzling scene of the Monster's birth.

    Boris Karloff is and always will be the prototypical Monster. The closeups of his face are truly frightening after all these years. He is walking death, however, Karloff gives him a hint of sadness, of a creature who was not meant to be. The flower-toss scene with the little girl was so controversial at the time of the film's release, it was cut from many versions. The new, restored print available on video has it.

    I know FRANKENSTEIN has been spoofed many times and is wide-open to criticism regarding its dated look. Mel Brooks went so far as to use the actual props from Dr. Frankenstein's laboratory in his hilarious send-up, YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN. Be sure to keep an open mind and watch it in the dark. Boris Karloff and James Whale have created a monstrously fun film.
    helpful•66
    14
    • Don-102
    • Mar 20, 1999

    FAQ14

    • 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)
      • United States
      • Official Facebook
      • English
      • Latin
    • Also known as
    • Filming locations
      • Malibou Lake, Agoura, California, USA
    • Production company
      • Universal Pictures
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

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    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

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    • 1 hour 10 minutes
      • Black and White

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