FRANKENSTEIN: The Universal Retrospective - The History of Horror's Definitive Monster

[@MattDraper]

What's your favorite Frankenstein adaptation?

[@carsonsmith7314]

Junji Ito's Manga is pretty good, as is Hammer's movie version, and of course Mel Brooks' Young Frankenstein. Edit: Bernie Wrighton's Illustrations and his unfinished sequel comic are up there if those count. RIP Bernie Wrightson.

[@ginofrancejr555]

James whale version as well as Victor lavalles destroyer which is an interpretation of the Frankenstein mythos

[@F_VAN11]

Mel Brooks Young Frankenstein 😂

[@JoeyEsqueda]

Junji Ito's graphic novel is great, very close to the source material and very unsettling.

[@jaysgamingcorner8539]

Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee as the monster was a great version

[@zackeryparkerson]

The Universal retrospectives are some of my favorite videos of yours.

[@carsonsmith7314]

I hear you there.

[@calebmarmon1310]

Yup my love of Universal monsters knows no bounds.

[@_The_Archive_]

Fun Fact: A 20-minute test reel, starring Bela Lugosi as The Monster was filmed on the Dracula (1931) sets. This footage has not been seen since 1931 and is considered lost.

[@TheThrill007]

That's sad, I would love to have seen that

[@scotsmith2391]

I imagine Bela Lugosi himself probably hated the footage and arranged to have it stolen and destroyed, LOL

[@ivanagustinortiz5237]

Horror lost media? Damn, that's really interesting, I would love to see that.

[@teetoo3790]

Thanks for the info, but damn it would have been cool to see it.

[@ApothecaryGrant]

He later played The Monster but they dubbed his voice out

[@andriygriffin4782]

What's most fascinating about Mary Shelly's two editions of her novel is how they corresponded with her current life outlook. In the 1818 edition, Frankenstein is a man racked with great guilt for being led astray by his over ambitions. In the 1831 edition however, Frankenstein purports that he was simply an unfortunate victim of fate, and therefore not responsible for the outcomes his creation wrought. It does seem in the 13 years between editions, Mary Shelley's philosophical views changed with the death of her children and husband Percy. Almost in a way to cope, she decided that the events humanity experience aren’t by personal choice or free will but one of a greater destiny or fate.

[@deanwirth3627]

I like the first version better

[@TheMicBartz]

Correction: Christopher Lee played the Creature only once. The Hammer series focused on Frankenstein, so there was a new monster in each installment.

[@rusparr2528]

He may have confused the fact that Peter Cushing played the role of Victor Frankenstein in the majority of the Hammer Productions with Lee's one time portrayal of the monster.

[@Xehanort10]

6:23 Victor making the monster out of body parts then being shocked that he was ugly will always be funny.

[@NouveauArtPunk]

Son of Frankenstein is an underrated classic! Also great video

[@kevingossett8881]

Gene Wilder played the little boy grown up in Young Frankenstein.

[@meltdownremix1996]

The revival of the ~Dark Universe's~ corpse is the scariest part of the whole thing

[@MuñeHaterNumber1]

Can't wait for Guillermo del Toro's take on the character

[@bezoticallyyours83]

It'll certainly be interesting

[@carsonsmith7314]

Given what I know of Guillermo del Toro, it will probably be visually stunning and has a potential to be profoundly great.

[@bezoticallyyours83]

@@carsonsmith7314 yeah that's definitely a given

[@MuñeHaterNumber1]

@@carsonsmith7314 agreed, knowing Del Toro, it'll be a masterpiece or another of his cancelled projects, there no in-between 😭

[@maralinekozial9131]

Na he's not got Boris Karloff 😂 ur not touching that remake with a ten foot pole....ever 😂 Boris Karloff is literally the only actor in history that created a single character that iconic with just his make up & looks & acting alone , even if u never saw any of the original films , u literally still grew up seeing Karloffs character & face every single time u pictured the Frankenstein monster in your head 💯 Even the iconic "Dracula" (Bela Lagosi) & the iconic Wolfmam (Lon Change Jr) took the role after Boris Karloff & couldn't recreate the act or physical look not to mention Christopher Lee & even Robert De Niro tried to take on that role & every single one of them completely failed😂 Boris Karloff is the one & only Frankenstein monster that will ever exist & the only one u think about visually whenever u close ur eyes & think about him even if u never even seen his Frankenstein films !!!!! That's literally how iconic him & his make up & face literally is 💯 How do u possibly think someone like Del Toro could ever do better or even come close to that when like 6-7 other legends couldn't even do it???? 😂😂😂😂 Stop smoking crack , Karloff is the only Frankenstein monster that will ever exist & ever be....for eternity Just deal with it & go watch the first three films .....no actor dead or alive will ever be that iconic!!!!! Ever!!!! Like I said .....u don't have to even see those films to actually picture Boris Karloffs Frankenstein monster in the back of ur head!!!! Name another single movie character & actor that has ever done that like ever???? U literally can't!!!! That casting choice is the greatest most iconic in the history of film 😂 Like I said , nobody is ever touching that role wit a ten foot pole.... nobody even comes close !!!!! Lightning ⚡ in a bottle is literally what it sounds like

[@kingbash6466]

While Frankenstein isn't my favorite universal monster, (The Wolfman and the Mummy are my OGs), he's probably the one I feel the most sympathetic for. If he was treated better, he could have actually lived a normal life. Shows how fear of the what's not normal to us can do more damage than what we could imagine.

[@0071981mike]

And Frankenstein is not the name of the monster.

[@randallbesch2424]

@@0071981mike He has no name. Poor fellow.

[@MattyStoked]

Love your use of Wrightson's illustrations in this. His work is the defacto Frankenstein in my mind.

[@eman2863]

Excited for the future of Frankenstein’s monster with a new James Wan produced modern take and Del Toro’s Netflix original

[@HudsonMedia]

I never get bored of retrospectives about this era. Curse of Frankenstein is probably my favourite Frankenstein movie. But closely followed by Bride and Son of Frankenstein.

[@thatguyfranky1981]

The more I come back here, the more I'm hit with the bug to make more horror content and videos like this. Thank you matt

[@MattDraper]

Love that!

[@DinerLingo]

Excellent video. Very informative. I know the focus is on Universal’s interpretation, but I wanted to throw out special shoutouts to “Penny Dreadful” & Danny Boyle’s stage production as 2 great interpretations.

[@FutureMythology]

I really enjoy watching your videos, and the Universal retrospectives are among my favorites.

[@JohnInTheShelter]

Can't wait to watch your take on this. Amazing how we're still talking about this version 90 years later.

[@kaelang12]

Victor Frankenstein wasn't even a doctor, and yet he managed to achieve what many cannot do. Which he then followed up by being a deadbeat dad 😂

[@bezoticallyyours83]

Yeah that's definitely one way of putting it

[@randallbesch2424]

Victor found they couldn't teach him what he was needing to learn pushing science further than before which is why he dropped out.

[@carsonsmith7314]

IT'S ALIVE! Frankenstein is one of my favorite Horror movie series of all time. Especially Bride. EDIT: I'm writing a novel based on Frankenstein, based on all versions of the story, but the Universal films have a special place in my heart because they are my early introduction to the story. Plus, Boris Karloff gave the performance of a lifetime with the monster, and the makeup is truly iconic. How could I not love it?

[@JohnMinehan-lx9ts]

Karloff was 5"11' he made the Monster imposing; we forget how good an acter he was.

[@crystalshaw8744]

I didn't know he was that tall.

[@HollywoodByTheNumbers]

The Frankenstein trilogy with Karloff is the best film trilogy of all time.

[@rayancedrichaddad1197]

It's a complete audiovisual encyclopedia about the Cult Classic Masterpiece Frankenstein (1931). Keep going Matt Draper.👍💯💯

[@sebastienvondoom8615]

I love how the sequel milking trend of hollywood has literally always been there, and people try to pretend it's new with every generation.

[@michaelchoman1625]

Not everything in Victor Frankenstein's life was destroyed by the Monster; his younger brother, Ernest, the middle brother in the family, was left alive in the end.

[@DjunisBRE]

Thanks again Matt for giving us some of the greatest content on best pieces of media

[@markjazyk3934]

Thank you for the "Fix Me Frank" commercial! I loved that toy, and still have it in the attic

[@audiebavington8789]

Thankyou so much for this. This has to be the best documentary on this topic that I've seen so far. Subscribed! Love from Perth Western Australia!

[@michaelmartin4552]

There is one adaptation I am surprised you did not even mention, that is the 1985 adaptation of Bride of Frankenstein called "The Bride". Sting plays the Doctor, Jennifer Beals plays the Bride (Eva), and Clancy Brown plays the Monster (Victor). Even though it was often panned, I actually rather enjoyed it. It was one of the most original takes on the story. It also is one of the few movies that gives the creature(s) a happy ending. It even has some other well known actors in the cast. Warwick Davis has a bit part, and David Rappaport is Victor's friend and companion during most of the movie. And Cary Elwes plays a potential love interest for Eva.

[@georgeheppenstall893]

THANK YOU! Lately I have found more apperication towards Universal's take on the Monster, he is arguably (in my biased opinion) far more tragic compared to his novel counterpart and I would argue in my personal experinece more relatable. Is it the Monster's fault that he was born with a abnormal brain and a perception different to the rest of the world? I always related to this element the most, because as someone who is neurodiverse I feel the Monster is a beautiful metaphor for the existence of individuals such as myself. The novel Monster while also tragic, was more deliberate and knew what he was doing. Actively going of his way to antagonize and torment Frankenstein. While justified at first, it becomes harder to relate to the Monster as the story goes along. I understand the story has grey morality to it, but I admire the simplicity of a creature who simply wants to belong. Which is a deeply human need. I remember hearing a channel, Dark Corners I think talk about the series and there is one comment that has stayed stuck in my mind since I heard it: "We are not afraid that we might be murdered in our beds by a Monster. But afraid that we will be alone like one."

[@BoyNamedSue4]

While the original Wolfman is my favorite universal horror film, Bride and the original are firmly placed as 2 and 3 for me. It also inspired my favorite comedy in Young Frankenstein.

[@christopherbower3828]

I can honestly say that this is absolute best KZbin essay covering this topic I've ever seen and, as a huge Universal Monsters fan, I've seen a heck of a lot of them. Thanks so much for making and uploading this Matt. You put in so much great research and insight, with just the right mix of humour and reverence. Your video on the queerness of Bride also really spoke to me and I'm really looking forward to watching your Wolf Man video. 😊🦇🐺

[@BlackLaval]

Bride of Frankenstein is my favorite film of all time. And I love them all.

[@jasonmaclean719]

Wilder once commented about Young Frankenstein that his age as a child irl would have matched up with Son of Frankenstein's little boy. So, in a way it's canon.

[@meimei8718]

It’s surreal how the story can change so easily. I get it in my brain because I have seen many examples of a character being stretched and even reimagined but my child brain remembers the original film and it’s hard to see the monster as Igor. It’s tough.

[@ginofrancejr555]

Awesome video matt Frankenstein will always be a classic

[@gallery7596]

And when the monster is discovered on ice in "Frankenstein Vs. The Wolfman," it isn't even Lugosi. What a strange, messed up entry that movie was.

[@TheGlass50]

This video is extremely well done. My compliments, Mr. Draper. My favorite adaption of Frankenstein is Universal Studios 1931 Frankenstein.

[@bezoticallyyours83]

I genuinely like Frankenstein Meets the Wolfman

[@paulbrown6464]

Abbie someone Abbie who? Abbie Normal

[@giovannirastrelli9821]

Elsa was played by Evelyn Ankers in “Ghost of Frankenstein.” Josephine Hutchinson played a different Elsa, Wolf’s wife in “Son of Frankenstein.”

[@JoeLovesComics]

Great video! This was a fantastic breakdown, thanks!

[@diannebdee]

You forgot two versions of the character that are again closer to Shelley's version. The first is "Frankenstein: The True Story" that was a BBC production starring Lenard Whiting as Victor, David McCallum as Henry Clervell, James Manson as Dr. Polidori, and Michael Sarrazin as The Creature. It gives the character a more sympathetic ending as well, diving Sarrazin an amazing arc to portray. The second is the Showtime series, "Penny Dreadful." The show starred Eva Green, Josh Hartnett, and Sir Timothy Dalton. The Creature was named Calaban/John Clare and was played by Rory Kinnear. This version called into Mary's intelligent creature, brought about by a "father" who was largely negligent. Victor was played by Harry Treadaway. It was a bit of a different view of the character. I should also mention that Josh Harnett's character played the part of Ethan Chandler. His secret is that he is what is known as Lupus Dei, or a Werewolf. I think you should check that show out. The finale is impressive as well as scary as hell. Oh, and I didn't find "Van Helsing" to be as offensive as you apparently do. I actually loved the film and have a poster handing in my livingroom.

[@cptlou]

Remember it well. Sun rather lighting was used as energy source.

[@bezoticallyyours83]

I wonder what Mary Shelly would have thought if she knew she'd created an iconic story that endured for as long as its had?

[@thomasalexanian927]

Last Halloween, I saw this movie, and I straight up broke down. Not because of the happy ending Henry received in the end, but because of the tragic ending his creation was given. To me, he was nothing more than a child.

[@sallykohorst8803]

Love the movie so thanks for info on the film ❤

[@TheSeraphNetwork]

Best thumbnails on KZbin.

[@SpedeVesku]

Christopher Lee was the creation in only one of the Hammer Frankenstein movies. I think you got him mixed up with Peter Cushing, who played Frankenstein in all, but one of them.

[@JoeyEsqueda]

How is your video output so constant without declining in quality? It's nuts.

[@MattDraper]

Lots and lots of pre-planning!

[@kangarooMonkee]

I can’t believe I’m gonna defend Ghost but I would like to (lightly) push back on the monster just being a weapon, it’s constantly acting independently, often to the detriment of those trying to confirm it, like how it approaches and later kidnaps the girl. Other than that minor point, this was a great video, really well researched.

[@aaronhemme8913]

The Frankenstein Monster is my favorite Universal Monster of all time. Karloff was BORN to play the role and wear the ICONIC Jack Peirce makeup.

[@rickelliott3683]

I remember being a five year old child and staying up late just to watch it. My parents refused to let me do it at first. But I persisted and ultimately they relented. My Mother told me that it would give me nightmares. It didn't. My Mom made me a bed on the couch. She thought tha I would fall asleep before it even came on TV. Likewise, I didn't. I have read the novel, but I prefer the film. You just can't beat the visuals. I was mesmerized, I always saw the monster as the true victim and society as the real villain. The thing that I like about the film is that it tells the story with all of the essential elements, wrapped up in a tidy relatively short film. For a film that is almost a hundred years old, It still holds up. I never get tired of watching it.

[@jameslacey5474]

Just like you I had to plead with my parents to stay up to watch, what was a double-feature of "Frankenstein" and "The Bride of Frankenstein" on WGN Ch 9 in Chicago on Valentine's Day (This was the precursor to the broadcasting of "Creature Features" which I remember coming on later that fall). I have a feeling that airing was so very successful, that it led to the scheduling of the Universal Famous Monsters Catalog later that year. I was 9 years old when I first watched those movies on TV and just like you I didn't fall asleep and loved them both. When Creature Features premiered on Sept. 19, 1970 at 10:30 it showed "Dracula" and "She-Wolf of London" I made it through "Dracula", but fell asleep into "She-Wolf of London" I enjoyed the atmospheric first portion of Dracula, but I got bored by the very stagey second half of the film, and as far as "She-Wolf of London" that was a complete snooze-fest that didn't even show a monster in it, and for a now 10 year old that is what's going to make or break your movie. It's funny because I remember reading the novel "Dracula" from Bantam Books, around the same time I saw the film, it even had a color illustration of Lugosi as the count myself, cape and all on the cover. As a youngster I found the read to be long and dry and being young and not knowing the differences between books and films I couldn't understand why there were so many things that were totally different from the movie. Like why does Dracula in the book now have hair on his palms when he didn't in the Lugosi film amonst other things? I just have to say that, from the first time I saw those films on Valentine's Day back in 1970 when I first saw "Frankenstein" and "The Bride of Frankenstein" has crated a love affair that still has not ended to this day and I would like to thank you Boris Karloff and you James Whales, and you Jack Pierce and to most of all to you Mary Shelley for being the brain child of this bizarre, inspiring and nightmare-fueling creation that still sparks the human imagination to this day.

[@UltraSenseiHoots]

Great video! I was hoping you'd make a Frankenstein retrospective, as your Universal Monsters retrospectives are my favourites among all of your work. I was wondering, do you have any plans to make a video on King Kong? I feel like his rich history would make for an interesting video essay that you could pull off better than most.

[@MattDraper]

Thanks! You won’t have to wait for long for Kong …

[@UltraSenseiHoots]

@@MattDraper right on! :)

[@leoinsf]

My childhood in the 40's was indeed monster-driven! Serials, monster movies, murder mysteries: what a happy childhood! After seeing "The Phantom Empire," cops and robbers, even cowboy movies became unimportant. My brother and I played "Thunder Riders," not cowboys and Indians, and we never looked back!!!!!

[@rosiekunable]

Not mentioned in the video, but I really loved the Penny Dreadful of the character. It had all the heart of the novel yet eventually reached the campiness of the movies

[@edwarddorey4480]

41:05--Actually, the original book includes a "bride" whom the doctor destroys before he brings her to life.

[@darthknuxward3220]

I have a soft spot for Ghost and I feel it’s definitely more creative than it gets credit for. It also seems to have had an extended ending that was cut, which I hope someday is found alongside the cut bride footage and deleted meets the Wolfman dialogue

[@armandotorres8962]

Matt, you cheeky bastard. I hear the Undertaker’s theme song near the end!

[@orinanime]

@ 41:45 - 44:50 - is the music in the background The Undertaker Theme/Intro Music?

[@BlueEyedPrince]

41:39 Are my ears playing tricks on me, or am I hearing The Undertaker’s theme music in the background? 😂

[@mandalorianhunter1]

Man I love the universal monster movies. I'm glad to be looking at retro movies from a new perspective. I'm definitely going to be eating dinner to this. You are awesome Matt, make horror great again.

[@RebelCauseFilms]

Would definitely be interested in a non-Universal Frankenstein video! Your take on the DeNiro Frankenstein is particularly interesting to me. Plus the Aaron Eckhart one would be laffs.

[@michaelb.42112]

Maybe the best piece of cinema ever created. Like most things in life we can't imagine anything else being cemented in our minds, I can't imagine anyone but Boris Karloff as the monster. Every other actor looks silly, but he looks like he was actually real.

[@shanemoose3235]

Can’t wait until we get to The Mummy and Invisible Man series!

[@Merylstreep1949]

Frankenstein laid the foundation and BOF bulit the house Not many films of this era still hold up so well It would be cool to see you cover the Universal Monsters films of the 50s too if you haven't already ❤

[@RodrigoGarcia-ze5em]

Fun fact: Universal's Frankenstein inspired Stan Lee, which lead to the creation of the Incredible Hulk.

[@rsine100]

If they ever go back to the classic Universal continuity, I would like to see a movie that connects "Bride" with "Son." Shot in black and white, of course.

[@TheGojiShay]

Nice use of the Undertaker's theme. Somehow it fits Frankenstein perfectly. You may just be a mad genius for that little detail Matt. 😅

[@bensneb360]

The 1st movie is my favorite classic universal horror film, and one of my favorite horror films of all time. I love the German expressionist sets and great cast performances

[@gerardtessers]

I love the Bernie Wrightson artwork!

[@mattdeml7560]

Great video as always! But you forgot to include one of cinema's most underrated gems; Alvin and the Chipmunks Meet Frankenstein

[@MattDraper]

Theodore murdered my grandfather

[@michaelchoman1625]

Originally, Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein was going to be a straight horror film (albeit one with Bud Abbott and Lou Costello still in it) titled The Brain of Frankenstein and was also going to feature the Invisible Man (in a much bigger role than he eventually had), Kharis the Mummy and Count Alucard the Son of Dracula. The second and third monsters were dropped because Lon Chaney Jr. would've had to play both of them as well as the Wolf Man.

[@beaumorris5289]

It was the Boris Karloff Frankenstein. Monster makeup that inspired me to be a makeup artist.

[@Anynom]

I love these deep dives.

[@graefx]

I'll always have a soft spot for Van Helsing and it's interpretations of the universal monsters. It stuck with me as a kid. One day I need to pick up Bernie Wrightsons Frankenstein. Also nice choice of using Undertaker's theme.

[@oldwarriorproductions8411]

29:06 actually Elsa Frankenstein in ‘Ghost’ was played by Evelyn Ankers. Who acted with Chaney Jr in The Wolfman.

[@woodrowpreacely7521]

Just hope Del Toro's version next year won't screw it all up. With modern special effects they could make the Frankenstein monster so badass if they want to. Swear to God wish they would make a modern Frankenstein Meets The Wolfman.

[@Merylstreep1949]

Could you consider doing a Dr Phibes retrospective please I find it amazing but sad it was supposed to be an entire series but killed off literally after just two films

[@cliffwoodbury5319]

Van Helsing is probably my favorite horror film of all time, and wish the was the start of a monsterverse. There have been a handful of real good monster films since then - including the Mummy with Tom Cruise!

[@chrisd2170]

Evelyn Ankers played the daughter Elsa in Ghost Of Frankenstein…not Josephine Hutchinson. She played in Son Of Frankenstein as the wife of Wolf Von Frankenstein. Also Christopher Lee only played the “creature” once. It was Peter Cushing who appeared in all but one of the Hammer Frankenstein series.

[@michaelchoman1625]

Strange was actually coached in the Monster's role by Karloff himself.

[@orinanime]

Just ranking the Universal entries, my top three are: Son of Frankenstein Frankenstein Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein

[@Xehanort10]

42:34 This version is one of the only ones with the book monster's intelligence.

[@Scottocaster6668]

Wow, Frankenstein is 206 yrs old!!

[@gonesnake2337]

The Mignola Frankenstein in there I see. Well done.

[@michaeldavis2001]

Christopher Lee only plays the monster in ONE of Hammer's Frankenstein movies. It is Peter Cushing who plays Victor Frankenstein in most of the Hammer movies.

[@MaidenIronProwler]

Another great video, although I knoow that this is mainly based on the Universal movies, I do think that it's a shame that we do not get to explore the version of these characters as portrayed in the Tv series Penny Dreadful, I think that Frankenstein and his monster are fascinating in that show, but overall another banger retrospective.

[@carlozabbia1157]

Una O'Connor played the best character in "Bride of Frankenstein."

[@davidsigler9690]

Excellent stuff.

[@armandotorres8962]

Hey, Shadows song opened things up!

[@Jllyrol311]

What? You should cover Monster Squad? No. Never. No one would ever suggest you cover that wonderful, charming film. . .

[@TerryFlynn-sd1ho]

No matter how many Frankenstein movies were 'are' made Boris Karloff will Always be the Original cause he was so ICONIC. If Mary Shelley only knew how many generations of people would still be watching not to mention the Hilarious version 'Young Frankenstein etc. But Boris is the best😮

[@DaddyWarlocks]

Dont think i didnt catch that music you played over your Van Helsing chapter.

[@jeremylivi7930]

The podcast Are You Afraid of the Dark Universe does a really interesting version of the monster and homage to the original Universal films

[@FNIGTOABN]

This makes me wanna listen to the audiobook and watch the ones I haven't seen

[@joejack6305]

Great video … can really see Ridley Scott inspiration for the prequel… “Bring me the tea David”

[@benderbendingrodriguez420]

*Long live Universal Horror!*

[@Martyn2021]

It would interesting if you could find Frankenstein unbound by Brian aldiss as it takes the idea that Mary Shelley wrote Frankenstein based on the actions of a real person it's also got a weirdy Time Travel thing yet but it's well worth seeking out because of John Hurt

[@kaylaroach7698]

interested to hear your thoughts on Hotel Transylvania and their choices on using the big 5 (Dracula, wolfman, invisible man, frankenstein, and the mummy) as the main cast.

[@davebooshty299]

43::34 As The Undertakers Them plays On in the very background ?

[@GrimJackal]

You forgot one of the very best versions of Frankenstein - the Edgar Winters Group version. :)

[@MattDraper]

I had a version of this video with that song in it but it was gonna get copyright claimed so I took it out