Frankenstein (1931)

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Director: James Whale

Writers: Garrett Fort & Francis Edward Faragoh, based upon the composition by John Balderston, adapted from the play by Peggy Webling, from the novel by Mary Shelley

Stars: Boris Karloff, Colin Clive, Mae Clarke, John Boles, Edward Van Sloan, Frederick Kerr, Dwight Frye



This seminal horror film features many elements that would later become cliches (ie, rioting villagers with torches, burning windmills, insane dwarf assistants).

 


Although nearly unrecognizable beneath what is arguably the most famous make-up job of all time, Boris Karloff managed to give such a distinctive performance that it made a star of him. 



His monster remains touching even today.

 


The face-off between him and his creator, Henry Frankenstein (Colin Clive), in the abandoned windmill is still frightening.

 


Nobody who has any affection for old movies and the horror genre can fail to enjoy the world that this film presents, with its dark graveyards, forboding castles, and shadow-haunted mountains, all presented in glorious black and white.






















































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