On this the second of our Monster Mondays, during classics week, I thought I would tackle a different sort of monster than the often thought of creature feature. I’m going very old school with this one, in fact, I’m going to a film that is actually a sequel in a six film series. Yes, you heard that right, a six-film series from back in the day. Ladies and gentlemen, I give you The Bride of Frankenstein.
Plans for this film were started immediately following the release of the 1931 Frankenstein, although this iconic lady would not see the silver screen until 1935. Colin Clive and Boris Karloff would return to play Doctor Frankenstein and his shambling monstrosity. Once again the make-up was done by famous monster maker Jack Pierce (who created the iconic look of the monster, his bride, and the Wolf Man). Borrowing from a subplot from the original novel, Bride is one of the few sequels that is considered an equal or to have surpassed the original. I would give this film a watch to see Karloff’s performance as the original monster.
Fans of Young Frankenstein will recognize several of the set pieces and scenes, as having been spoofed by Mel Brooks. Today, I’m not just linking to this film, but an entire Universal Monster’s set, because these are must haves for horror fans and fans of classic cinema. Not to mention it also comes with Frankenstein if you’ve not seen it. The Bride is also the only monster not in the first film in the series that is considered to be one of the Universal Monsters as you can see by her inclusion on the cover below. Click the image below to pick it up and read below for the synopsis of the Bride.
Synopsis: In one of the most popular horror films of all time, The Bride of Frankenstein, Boris Karloff reprises his role as the silver screen’s most misunderstood monster who now longs for a mate. Continuing exactly where the original left off, the critically acclaimed sequel introduces Dr. Pretorius (Ernest Thesiger) as a deranged scientist who forces Henry Frankenstein (Colin Clive) to help him create a companion for the monster. Once again directed by James Whale and adapted from Mary Shelley’s classic novel, the sequel features outstanding makeup and special effects, instantly making the Bride of Frankenstein (Elsa Lanchester) one of the most recognizable monsters of all time.
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