Frankenstein (1931)
During my Xmas shopping, I spy this amazing bargain. The Frankenstein Legacy collection - seven film series (1931-1945) for £10! This one was definitely for me.
So let's start at the beginning. Considering this film is just over an hour long, the story is told surprisingly well. Granted there are some really superfluous characters EG The Baron, the Burgermeister (the former actually does nothing for the story at all) and Victor. I'll come back to that last one in a minute. Meanwhile, 1930's cinematography is a bit ..ropey and some of the scene transitions and jump cuts becomes jarring in certain parts. The problem with this film is I'm more well versed in Hammer Horror. Colin Clive is quite good as Henry Frankenstein (he in fact leaves university early and does not become a Doctor in this adaptation) But he is no Peter Cushing.
Boris Karloff however, shines as The Monster. There is a reason he is the iconic portrayal and the basis for most Frankenstein depictions going forward. On the subject of The Monster, it is also an interesting little time capsule of another era. The brain acquired for his creation being one from a criminal. As such this is described as an "abnormal" brain and has physical indicators within the tissue that clearly define it as such. Popular "scientific" thinking of the time.
Anyway, The name thing. Dr. Victor Frankenstein is 'Henry Frankenstein'. There is a 'Victor' within the film, Victor Moritz, who is portrayed as Henry's best friend. The name Moritz seems almost a homophone (or at least, a nod) of Morris, a character from Dracula. While at the same time, during one specific scene, Victor is clearly trying to pull Henry's fiance, Elizabeth (at least her name is right). A brief hint at a love triangle that doesn't really service the plot and it is even suggested all three are aware of it. With no ramifications.
Ultimately, this was what I'd expect from one of the classics of the Horror genre and as with all good Frankenstein stories, plays up the pathos for The Monster over the human cast. 8/10