Customer Reviews

Son of Frankenstein [VHS]

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

"Son of Frankenstein", was the third and last in the series of horror classics to feature Boris Karloff in his most famous part as Frankenstein's monster. After the classic "Frankenstein", and "Bride of Frankenstein", this film was a fitting farewell to his unforgettable characterisation after which the Frankenstein stories were passed over to Universal's "B" movie department and resulted in lesser quality efforts with other actors playing the monster to less effect.

While the film misses the florid direction of the great James Whale who was responsible for the first two installments in the horror trilogy, "Son of Frankenstein", has much to commend it to the viewer. The story is picked up many years after the death of Dr. Frankenstein and the supposed destruction of his murderous creation. We see his son the sophisticated Baron Frankenstein (Basil Rathbone) arrive with his family to finally claim his inheritance and occupy Castle Frankenstein. There he finds he and his family aliented from the fearful townspeople after their experiences with hi sfather and also under extreme suspicion from local Inspector Krogh (wonderfully played by horror veteran Lionel Atwill) who as a child lost an arm in a savage confrontation with the monster and thus holds a grudge against the house of Frankenstein. Coming into contact with the broken necked peasant shepherd Ygor (played by legendary Bela Lugosi in one of his best performances) who lives in the old laboratory, Frankenstein discovers the sleeping body of the monster who was not destroyed after all. Bent on clearing his father's name plus reviving the monster, Frankenstein succeeds too well and not only revives the monster but finds it goes on another killing spree after Ygor uses the monster for his own evil designs in killing off all of the villagers who were responsible for trying to hang him years before. It is true in "Son of Frankenstein", that the monster is very much a background character here as the main focus is placed on Rathbone. This is not necessarily a set back as this tale is a much less up beat one with the monster no longer having alot of the human qualities it possessed in the earlier films that succeeded in drawing sympathy from the audience. Here he has few redeeming qualities and is shown as a cold blooded murderer that rarely creates any sympathy. The one scene where some human element in his character comes through is when after being revived in Frankenstein's laboratory he sees himself in the mirror and recoils in disgust at his pathetic appearance beside that of the debonair Baron frankenstein. The tragic finale of the film which sees the monster flung into a bubbling sulphur pit is one of the great horror movie moments and is a justly memorable conclusion to Karloff's legendary creation.

"Son of Frankenstein", benefits from a much larger budget than the earlier films and indeed some of the creakiness of those efforts is not present here as we see a top rate Universal production for the 1939 year. The look of the film is definately more sinister here, gone are the sunny landscapes of the earlier films. Here the landscape is perpetually storm ridden and darkness prevails in every scene. Even the interiors and architecture have a strange unsettling quality to them and the sets for Castle Frankenstein in particular are positively awesome with their unsettling sloping walls and odd angled staircases lacking any human warmth and creating a feeling of unease and impending doom. They contribute greatly to the darker more fearful atmosphere of this installment in the Frankenstein series.

I personally love all three Karloff outings in this series, "Frankenstein", "Bride of Frankenstein", and "Son of Frankenstein". In this trilogy Boris Karloff created a horror legend that was never equalled and the Frankenstein stories quickly degenerated after these three efforts. Although more of a darker horror outing than the first two films lacking as it does the humour and pathos of Whales creation, "Son of Frankenstein", is a memorable viewing experience and highly recommended to all lovers of classic horror stories.

While 'Son of Frankenstein' may not be as frightening as the original 'Frankenstein' or as good of an all around movie as 'Bride of Frankenstein' before it, this movie excels in two areas which make it one of the best classic scare-fests ever; production and cast. In terms of production value, this is a very slick and well put together film; in my opinion it is the most visually impressive of the vintage Universal films, with elaborate sets that you can tell involved a lot of detail (and a lot of money!). In terms of the cast, this is easily the best cast of any classic horror film ever made. This is the last of three performances by Boris Karloff as the Monster, and although he is obviously putting on some weight and doesn't seem to be quite as enthusiastic about the whole Monster thing by the time this movie was made, there was still never a better Frankenstein Monster anyhwhere. Ever. Period, end of discussion. Basil Rathbone is a slick, likable actor who does a wonderful job of assuming the 'hero' role as the title character, and puts on a good show as paranoia catches up with him throughout the second half of the film. Bela Lugosi gives what some call his best performance as Ygor the Hunchback; I don't know if I can bring myself to say that Dracula was not his best role, but nonetheless he is wonderfully grimy and creepy and seems to be very much having a blast playing this very out-of-character role. And Lionel Atwill, a stalwart in the great Universal Monsterfests of the 1940s, gives an unforgettable performance as the noble, suspicious, and vaguely odd one-armed police inspector Krogh, loyal policeman who, although willing to protect the doctor with his life from bloodthirsty villagers, always has one eyebrow raised in suspicion as to what exactly the goings-on in the castle are. This is a long movie for it's day and it's genre (about 100 minutes) and it may lack some of the dark, graveyard atmosphere that the original two movies had (and in a campy unrefined way the later ones had a little bit of this too). Still, it is a fun movie to watch that has it's moments and has four genre legends in their relative prime. I know I could watch this one again and again.

When it comes to Universal Studios you'll be hard pressed to find any with a greater legacy in the horror genre. Without Universal horror as we know it would be very different as these films by Universal inspired a whole generation of filmmakers even this current generation as well. Universal really set the bar for the horror genre in the 30s and in my opinion no studio has really ever come close. Son of Frankenstein was one of their last great movies. While they did make a lot of classics after this, but Son of Frankenstein was one of the last greats from the Golden era of Universal.

Horror is a genre that will never die and while there are times when they might be lacking a bit in ticket sales it never lasts too long. At the time horror wasn't really in a decline, but it wasn't as popular as it was just a couple of short years before. But with horror back in an upswing Universal was ready to once again get in the game. One of the ideas was a remake of the James Whale classic The Old Dark House from 1932 and another idea was a remake of The Black Cat from 1934, which starred Boris Karloff and Bela Lugosi, and both would have starred in the remake. But instead they decided to go back to the Monster movies and bring back the classic franchise of Frankenstein.

Released in 1939 Son of Frankenstein was yet another winner for Universal. The only thing missing was director James Whale who didn't come back. Rowland V. Lee steps into the director's chair and for the most part does a great job. As far as filmmaking goes I have to say Son of Frankenstein is probably the best of the series. While not the best movie in the franchise this one is the best made, but it does sort of lack the James Whale touch, but this movie is so great it's easy to get over.

The script by Wyllis Cooper is fantastic; from just a writing standpoint I think this was the best screenplay of the series. The only flaw was the way the Monster was written, which I'll get into later. But the script is really smart and creative even if it follows the same basic structure of the original. The characters are all excellent and very fleshed out.

Rowland V. Lee really creates a masterpiece of filmmaking. As I stated earlier from a filmmaking standpoint this one is by far the best of the series, but it does lack the James Whale touch. The pacing of the movie is quite good; Son of Frankenstein gets off to a quick start, but does slightly slowdown in the middle sections. While never boring it's just a little slow. Rowland V. Lee though always manages to get the most out of each scene. While this one does lack the eerie feel of the original the final act does manage to deliver some chills. About the only complaint I have is the way the Frankenstein Monster was used.

Son of Frankenstein is the last movie in which Boris Karloff played the Iconic character. This time around the Monster isn't really the star of the movie. Obviously he plays a big part, but he's not as crucial to this one as he was in the previous two and he was a bit underused as well. He doesn't enter the movie until around the 30-minute mark and he doesn't really get to do much until the hour mark. The Monster was sympathetic, but yet scary as well. By right the Monster was by no means a villain, but this time around, while not totally a villain, he's not as sympathetic as he was before. James Whale really knew how to use the Monster and after he left I do think the filmmakers of the rest never used the Monster to his full advantage.

The one thing we know from Bride of Frankenstein is the Monster can be manipulated and Ygor played brilliantly by Bela Lugosi uses the Monster to do his dirty work, but in typical Universal fashion your villain isn't always pure evil. While Ygor is a pretty bad guy, he does seem to care for the Monster. In the first two Frankenstein movies the Monster only kills when provoked or scared, but this time Ygor is able to get him to kill people he wants revenge on.

The true stars of the movie are Wolf Von Frankenstein played by Basil Rathbone and Ygor. Like I said the Monster was just sort of there. But despite the Monster being underused, Karloff once again is nothing short of brilliant. He doesn't get a chance to show as much emotion as he did in the past two movies, but he does have his moments like when he sees his reflection in the mirror. One of the greatest moments comes in the final act, I don't wanna spoil the movie, but there is a scene with Ygor where the Monster lets out this scream, which was quite sad and Karloff just amazed me. Boris Karloff was truly one of the greats and in that brief moment all the sympathy for the Monster comes back.

Even though most fans seem to love Basil Rathbone in this flick a lot say he was a bit over the top. I totally disagree. I thought he was amazing; I loved Colin Clive as Henry Frankenstein, but he was over the top. There are moments when Rathbone is a bit over the top, but it fits with his character. In my opinion this is as good as any performance you'll find in this genre. Most people cite Dracula as Lugosi's best performance, but there are a number of people that will say Ygor was his best and I think I might agree. Lugosi was great as Ygor and as great as he was as Dracula I think I liked him a bit more here. Lionel Atwill also appears and once again is excellent.

The final act to Son of Frankenstein was my favorite parts of the movie; in my opinion this was the Monster at his scariest. While I think Karloff's performance was brilliant I think we can all agree it was better in Frankenstein and Bride of Frankenstein, but when the Monster goes on his rampage at the end his anger and rage were quite creepy and I think from a scare factor, this was the best performance by Karloff even if as a whole he was far better in the previous two.

Son of Frankenstein was the last truly great entry in the series and is every bit as good as the first two. I'd give Bride of Frankenstein the edge, but would rate this on par with the original. At 99-minutes this is the longest entry in the series and despite a couple of slow moments it never drags.

'Son Of Frankenstein' is the last great Frankenstein film! Karloff would say goodbye to the role that made him a star forever after this picture. The sets are great and the atmosphere is rich, add Rathbone and Lugosi with excellent performances and you got yourself a top notch monster movie. Karloff spends most of the film comatose which it a shame because he really does bring this character to life and without him the film becomes talky. This is the longest 'Frankenstein' film at 100 minutes which goes by quickly watching this third outing. Those factors make me bring the rating of the film down to 4 1/4 stars. The ending is very memorable and it could have been a great ending to the series but.......you can't keep a great monster down! Five more 'Frankenstein' films would follow. This is available on DVD on Frankenstein Legacy set and a double bill with 'Ghost of Frankenstein'. The DVD transfers are very good.

If you like cheesy films, this film is for you. I liked the monster because Boris Karloff did a good job of acting. The man with one arm was scary. I liked the little boy who was the grandson of Dr. Frankenstein. In "Frankenstein's Daughter," Dr. Frank was bad and he was the grandson of Dr. Frankenstein. I hope this little boy did not become like his grandfather. The castle looked like a strange place to live. To me, the set seemed cheesy. Ian Grant Thompson. Age 5.

Although Frankenstein, and Bride of Frankenstein are great films, the Son of Frankenstein was the first to point out that the monster was immortal, and was constructed to have awesome power. In addition, the monster has a tender relationship with Basil Rathbone's little boy, and points out that only the predjudice of adults led to his troubles in fitting in with humans. This is actually my favorite of the Karloff trio. Karloff's monster looks and acts more like his first treatment (waxen and mute) and thereby more mysterious. Karloff had put on some weight and looked more powerful and scary that ever. Bela Lugosi gave the performance of his career. The last good Frankenstein movie. Boris Karloff is the only one to achieve greatness in this character.

SON OF FRANKENSTEIN doesn't quite approach the quality of BRIDE OF FRANKENSTEIN, but it has style and histrionics to spare. Director Rowland V. Lee lacks James Whale's flair for macabre humor, but does a great job with pace and atmosphere. The cast is top notch, too.Karloff makes his final starring appearance as the Monster. While his performance is excellent, the Monster isn't nearly as sympathetic a character as he was in FRANKENSTEIN and BRIDE. Bela Lugosi was never better as the mad Ygor, proving beyond a doubt that he was capable of more than just endless variations of Dracula. Lionel Atwill also gives one of his best performances as the wooden armed police chief.

Son of Frankenstein is the longest Universal monster\horror film. It is one hour and thirty-nine minutes long and was released on January 13, 1939. This would also be the last time Boris Karloff would portray the Monster. Lon Chaney, Jr. would take over the role in the Ghost of Frankenstein. In this movie the suit that the Monster wore in Frankenstein and the Bride of Frankenstein is gone. The Monster is now wearing a fur vest and tall boots. One must assume that the clothes he was wearing in the Bride of Frankenstein were destroyed when the building blew up. Also gone is his ability to speak as well. The viewer has to assume he lost that also when he blew himself up in the last movie. Also on a side note, there is only one clamp on his head. In the Bride of Frankenstein the Monster has several clamps on his head. The Monster does seem to have evolved in this movie. He can walk better and there is more thought in the Monster killing. In the Son of Frankenstein, we are introduced to Ygor for the first time, played by Béla Lugosi. The Son of Frankenstein takes thirty years into the future from the ending of the Bride of Frankenstein; at least we are to assume that. Baron Wolf von Frankenstein looks to be in his thirties. Basil Rathbone was 43 years old when the picture was made. In this picture you have a mixture of English and American actors and one Austria-Hungarian actor. The movie starts off with the arrival of Baron Wolf von Frankenstein and his family to the town of Frankenstein to reclaim his family ancestral home. It is hinted that he has been living in the United States for some years. The townspeople and Burgomaster and his Burghers are there to meet him and not to greet him. They hand over two boxes to Wolf; the big box contains the journal and notes his father's experiments and the smaller box holds the key to unlock the bigger box. Shortly after Wolf, Elsa, and Peter arrive at the castle, Inspector Krogh makes a complimentary greeting. He let them know his services are at there disposal. It is the next day and Wolf goes for a walk in the garden and comes across the old ruins where the monster was made. In the Bride of Frankenstein and Frankenstein the monster was created and died at an abandoned watch tower away from the castle; miles away we are to presume. Ygor meets Dr. Frankenstein and shows him a secret that been hidden for year. He takes him to the crypts of his father and grandfather and show the Monster at the end and between the two crypts lying in a comatose state. Ygor explains that the Monster was out hunting food and lighting struck him and he walks no more. During the conversation between the two of them Wolf says something along the line, "do you mean to imply that it is my brother." Dr. Frankenstein agrees to make the Monster well again. Dr. Frankenstein refurbishes the old ruins and turns it into a lab just like his father before him. Unlike the first time when lightning was used to bring the Monster to life, Wolf uses a generator and electrodes to bring the Monster back to life. When the Monster does not wake up from his coma, Dr. Frankenstein believes he has failed. He heads back to the castle disappointed. Later on we find out the Monster is alive and doing Ygor's bidding. It is not mention in the movie nor is it explained how the two met and how does Ygor have control over him. Later on Wolf finds out the Monster is alive a rushes back to the lab. He discovers the monster is gone and starts gathering some instruments in the lab. While Wolf if doing that, the Monster climbs up from the lave pits and makes presents himself to Wolf. Wolf turns around and is startled. The monster touches Wolf and finds some resemblance between Henry Frankenstein and Wolf. The Monster sees himself in a mirror and realizes that he is alive and to a point is upset to still be living. He grabs Wolf and brings him into the mirror and realizes it is not his creator. Wolf tells Ygor that he must remain in the lab if he wants to keep the Monster well. Later that evening Ygor gets the Monster to kill the final Burgher who hanged him several years ago. The villagers are outraged that there have been two killings since Baron Wolf von Frankenstein and plan to storm the castle. Inspector Krogh puts guards in front of the castle to protect the Baron and Baroness. Baron Frankenstein is upset that he is a prisoner in his own castle. Baron Frankenstein tells Inspector Krogh that he is going to kick Ygor off the property. When Wolf does find Ygor, Ygor comes after him with a hammer and Wolf shoots three times and kills Ygor. When the Monster finds Ygor lifeless body, he first shows sympathy that his friend has died and then decides to kill Peter, Wolf's son. He finds Peter and brings him back to the lab. Back at the castle Elsa von Frankenstein rushes in and says Peter is missing. Both Wolf and Inspector Krogh go in different directions to find Peter. Inspector Krogh finds Peter and the Monster first and Inspector Krogh shoots at the Monster. The Monster rips off Inspector Krogh artificial arm and seems surprise that it is not a real arm. Just then Wolf swing from a chain from the top of the lab and knocks the Monster into the lava pits killing the Monster and Peter is saved. At the end of the movie Wolf turns over the estate to the town of Frankenstein and telling the people to do what they please and Wolf, Elsa, and Peter board the train and leave the town never to come back. Just like the first two movies this is an excellent movie. A must for any Universal monster\horror fans. Son of Frankenstein gets an AAAAA+++++.

The 1939 film "Son of Frankenstein" was Boris Karloff's third and final appearance in the role that made him famous, but as you can tell from the art on the cover of this VHS the title character is played by Basil Rathbone. Meanwhile, Karloff as the Frankenstein monster is reflected in mirror reflector the film's mad scientist is wearing. Rathbone plays Wolf Frankenstein, who travels with his family to the castle he has inherited following the death of his father. However, he gets more than a cold shoulder from the villagers, who believe that the ghost of the monster is still claiming victims. Of course, the monster is still alive, but is being controlled by Ygor (Bela Lugosi), a grizzled figure who has survived having his neck broken when the locals decided to hang him. Wolf worshipped his father and hates what the family name has come to mean, so, of course, he proceeds to follow in daddy's footsteps and events take their course.

If you are wondering how this third Frankenstein film fits into the continuity of the series then you simply do not understand how Universal made these movies, because that was never a concern. Ygor is supposed to be the assistant of Wolf's father and suddenly the name of the village is Frankenstein rather than the castle, but all that really matters here is that there is another Frankenstein back in town trying to play God. For me the problem is that Ygor ends up being a more important character than the one in the title and in the next film he will literally take over the monster (and which involves another son of Dr. Frankenstein so the cycle can repeat itself).

There is no argument that this is a classic horror film like the first pair made by James Whale, because things are already getting derivative in terms of the script. Still, director Rowland V. Lee ("Tower of London") has the advantage of a strong supporting cast. Rathbone brings intelligence to the role without the manical bent provided by Colin Clive previously, while Karloff is back to grunting rather than speaking, which is how he wanted to play the monster. Lionel Atwill is Inspector Krogh, Lawrence Grant as the Burgomaster and Perry Ivins is Fritz, while Josephine Hutchinson plays Elsa von Frankenstein and young Donnie Dunagan is their son Peter. But it is Lugosi who is stealing all the scenes with some inspired bits of lunacy, and how much you like "Son of Frankenstein" is going to depend on what you think of his performance as Ygor.

This was the first monster movie that Universal had made in three years, and it is significant because it put the studio back in the monster movie making business big time, being followed by "The Ghost of Frankenstein" in 1942, "Frankenstein Meets the Wolf Man" in 1943, "House of Frankenstein" in 1944, and "House of Dracula" in 1945, which is just the Frankenstein series that ends with "Bud Abbott Lou Costello Meet Frankenstein" in 1948. You can also throw "The Wolf Man" into the mix in 1941 and "Son of Dracula" in 1943. This is a mixed bag to be sure, but with the Universal Legacy series they are all out on DVD now and you can judge for yourself. Even if none of these are classics, "Son of Frankenstein" remains on the must see list just because it is still Boris Karloff behind Jack Pierce's makeup for the last time.

Although not as fresh or frightening as the James Whale films, this is still a noble end to the Karloff Universal era. Bela Lugosi was never better than he is here, as the sympathetic, scheming Igor. And Rathbone comes off rather well, too. Only that irritating kid detracts from the film, for me at least.