Monster Review: Frankenstein, Bride of Frankenstein, Son of Frankenstein, & Ghost of Frankenstein

Pull up a chair for this one, folks! Four movie reviews in one video turned out to be difficult to manage, especially since I've seen three of these movies several times and like them a lot and therefore have a lot to say. There are some comments I ended up cutting out, like what a kick I get out of Edward Van Sloan's little message of warning from producer Carl Laemmle before Frankenstein starts, or how I feel like that movie's upbeat last scene with the jocular Baron is a little too cheery, or how delightfully fun the behind-the-scenes photos from these movies are, with the cast sitting around taking their tea/cigarette breaks in full makeup and costume and having a laugh between takes. Anyway, since I didn't include these remarks in the video, I thought I'd mention them here as a bonus for anyone who reads the description. :)
Oh, and the thumbnail is supposed to look like me doing an imitation of Frankenstein's Monster lunging toward the camera...
Films reviewed:
Frankenstein (1931)
Bride of Frankenstein (1935)
Son of Frankenstein (1939)
The Ghost of Frankenstein (1942)
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[@RSSIPPEL.ART.]

It's nice to see someone so young; whom is so into these films. I'm 55 and I spent my childhood in the late 60s and early 70s watching these movies on Chiller Theater...

[@LackaJudgment]

Dr Pretorius is such an underrated villain in the Universal Monsterverse. Just watch that performance! I’m guessing they had to tame his character down for a 1930s audience, but given the ease of restrictions on the filmmaking that we see nowadays, I imagine this character’s experiments would be a great deal more graphic

[@BarryHart-xo1oy]

Quite true.

[@jorgelopez-pr6dr]

Whale gave us, in Dr.Septimus Praetorius, the maddest of all mad scientists. I think that the opening with Lord Byron, Shelley and Mary was a stroke of pure genius (well, I like literature).

[@orinanime]

Son of Frankenstein is actually my favorite of all of the Universal Frankenstein movies. The atmosphere and sets are amazing. The Frankenstein Castle/Manor is absolutely stunning. Lionel Atwell is awesome as the Inspector. Bela's Ygor is a great manipulator and villain. And Wolfe Frankenstein is perfectly portrayed by Basil Rathbone.

[@jordanjoestar458]

I often flip between Son and Bride as my favorite, but if I HAD to choose one, I think it'd be Son!

[@jamesg.488]

Hi! I could not agree more. Son of F is a phenomenal film on so many levels, and indeed Lionel Atwill is truly entertaining in his role as the Inspector. Particularly amusing is the tearing off of his false arm which was a replacement for the real arm the Monster originally ripped off. Unbelievably outrageous, and Lionel's facial expressions are priceless! And Basil Rathbone is so very engaging and compelling in his portrayal of the whole range of emotions he displays throughout the movie. What a performance! On another note, I hope you don't mind me sharing the following little story with you :) I am a long time lover of music and films, and one of the local Denver bands I used to listen to a while back was a band called the Psychodots. Several of the members were musicians who played with Adrian Belew in other bands. Anyway, one of the band members of the Psychodots was a man named Bob Nyswonger. We got to meet them and see them live, and we talked about them fairly often. The running joke was about Bob (a great guy - I believe he was the bass player) - we used to always say "Hey Bob, nice wonger!", even though his name was spelled Nyswonger. I wondered if you had ever heard of them, and if anyone has ever said to you, "Hey Aaron, nice wonger!". When I first saw your screen name I laughed heartily and thought perhaps I was hallucinating. But that may just be the Crunk Berries :) I hope you don't mind my sharing all of this. I mean it all in the most complimentary and friendly of ways. :)

[@orinanime]

@@jamesg.488 thanks for sharing. I've never heard of them. And yes, I've been told "hey Aaron! Nice wonger!" More times than I can count.

[@developerfriendly]

town atmosphere Is also excellent

[@varanid9]

The same, although, recently, I've been gravitation towards the original for its economy of pacing and plot.

[@walterfechter8080]

The scene from "The Bride of Frankenstein" with the monster half-stumbling down the steps in the crypt. The monster falls onto an old coffin. The coffin contains the shrouded/preserved remains of a lovely woman. The monster slowly passes his hand over the lifeless face of the corpse. The single word uttered by the monster ("Friend?") brought a tear to my eye. Karloff rendered a stellar performance in "The Bride of Frankenstein."

[@walterpanovs]

Exceptionally well-done analysis. Love the combo of your movie-fan enthusiasm and precise attention to detail and insight, all delivered with seamless lucidity. And thank you for giving "Son of ..." the praise it has long-since deserved. You have brought these splendid films to life again (in your very own smart, charming way). What a pleasure!! Carry on.

[@Weiselberry]

Thank you so much! I'm so glad you liked the video. :)

[@JasonSmith-jr7jh]

I somehow stumbled upon this, and in need of humor, was attracted to the goofy thumbnail that I initially thought was a middle schooler movie review. Wow...having thought myself an expert on these movies, I'm stunned by this insight and chronological commentary. Her underlying love of subject and sense of humour are a joy to listen to. Re: Every once and awhile the monster needs to be struck by lightning...in Son of, I thought that was what Igor said damaged him. This is supposedly after he survived 20 tons of falling castle!

[@Weiselberry]

Haha, thank you! I'm glad the thumbnail didn't keep you away. :)

[@juxapostion]

A little Una goes a long way :) love your reviews, find them so relaxing and honest. Thank you

[@MsAppassionata]

Has anyone else noticed how different Dwight Frye looks in his 3 most famous roles: Fritz in “Frankenstein”, Carl in “Bride Of Frankenstein”, and Mr. Renfield in “Dracula”? The man was like a true chameleon. I saw him in another non-horror film (I can’t recall the name) and didn’t recognize him in that one either until he opened his mouth to speak and I recognized his voice. He was amazing! I wonder if he did his own makeup?

[@Monkofmagnesia]

For fice years now, I have watched your review every October as Halloween approaches. YOU HAVE BECOME PART OF MY halloween tradition(s). Thank you.

[@Weiselberry]

Wow, I'm so honored! :D

[@pamelahall517]

I am so glad I saw the old Frankenstein movies just to enjoy Young Frankenstein so much more than I would have otherwise. Gene Hackman's Blind Hermit made our family laugh out loud when we saw it in the theater. Mel Brooks incorporated so many aspects of these movies into his spoof! I can't watch the old ones without thinking of Young Frankenstein anymore. Of the old movies, hands down, Bride of Frankenstein was my favorite. Elsa Lanchester packed a punch with her short turn at the end! Great review as always.

[@Weiselberry]

Haha, yes, I find the same thing. Young Frankenstein is even more enjoyable if you've seen the original films, and the original films can't help but make you think of Young Frankenstein. I've been contemplating reviewing it this October.

[@richardranke3158]

A parody is best appreciated when you know exactly what is being parodied.:-)

[@MrGpschmidt]

THE BRIDE OF FRANKENSTEIN is my fave horror film of all-time; Karloff s/gotten an Oscar nod for the blind hermit scene alone.

[@mayaadobe]

The first 3 were beautiful works of cinematic art. Great actors and sets. Interesting blending of Teutonic never never land blended with quaint English village storybook world. The 1st film is charmingly creeky in an old gramophone kind of way. I really loved the lecture room scene which rem8nds me of the lecture room scene in the Dan Curtis Dr Jeckyl and Mr Hyde opening The 2nd is beautiful to look at. Incredible sets and backdrop. The 3rd is very well done and last of the quality versions until Dan Curtis years later. All subsequent versions arnt nearly as compelling and play up the Oktoberfestishness too much. Too cliche driven. Your review is terrific as always.

[@Weiselberry]

Thank you! Thanks for sharing your thoughts as well--some really interesting observations!

[@gothling1955]

Wow! Such a vastly enjoyable review of these exceedingly familiar and durable classic films, wherein you actually included a few facts of which I was unaware. So well done, very well researched and presented. It made me want to watch all of them again, end on end, in one enormous Frankenstein fest. To me, the first two Universal Horror cycles truly stand (with a few affectionately hand-picked selections from the silent movie era, of course) as having defined what the genre would forever stand for. They are the bench marks by which everything henceforth ought to be measured. And you've done a beautiful job in conveying the lasting relevance and import of these four films in the Frankenstein series (even allowing for the occasional misstep or flaw therein, here and there, they remain really wonderful movies).

[@Weiselberry]

Thank you! I'm so glad you enjoyed the video! :)

[@blackcougar1959]

Fabulous collective movie reviews as always. Thanks also giving shout outs to my favorite character actor of all time.....Dwight Frye ♥

[@susanmctavish6639]

I liked Elsa Lanchester's profile soo much in the opening scene I tried to draw it. I'm not a great artist but she inspired me. I wasn't bothered by Lord Byron. It was kind of like if he was in a comedy.

[@PaintDryPictures]

I think that out of the Universal Monsters franchise as well as older horror movies in general, the first two Frankenstein films are the absolute strongest. They’re more tragedies than horror movies. I also love how unapolgetically different they are from the novel and honestly, that’s part of what made them so great. I haven’t yet watched the later two films, but I have seen Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein and I really enjoyed it. I know this video was made seven years ago, but it’s still a great collage of reviews. Take care, J!

[@Weiselberry]

I really enjoyed making this video, and I'm glad you got a kick out of it seven years later. :)

[@Barot8]

Hi again JW. I love the thumbnail for this vid. Karloff does a perfect performance. He also brings a tenderness. I would say Dr. Frankenstein is the true villain in the film. It's a great film. Both of the films are. Thank you for all your reviews. I haven't spent so much time with a smart, well spoken, film fan who is very knowledgeable, so attractive, and appealing for quite some time. Ack, now I'm sounding creepy. Ugghh. I'll admit I've got a slight crush. Okay, there I said it. I'm certain almost all your fans feel the same way. Back to the film review. Even the music score is great. Thank you for all the hard work, and insightful research. On that mansion, also it has no bathrooms. Bahahahaha *evil laugh. Sorry, being silly here. Loneliness, the bane of most monsters and many people. Oddly a lot of men identify with The Wolfman. I think I'd probably be the Creature from the Black Lagoon. I hope you have a wonderful evening, and holiday with your family. Also a great week. Me? I'm going back to my lagoon. That smile is great.

[@Albertus1964]

I was born December 5, 1964. One of my earliest and favorite movie memories is from the late '60s, when my family was crowded in one room, and we watched Bride of Frankenstein on a small black and white TV. I've loved classic monster movies almost from birth, ha ha. Your review was both fun and insightful.

[@Weiselberry]

Ah, that sounds like such a wonderful memory! It's great how moments like that, our first encounters with true classics, stay with us for years and years. Thanks!

[@louisborselio8608]

Actually the original ending of Frankenstein was supposed to end with the burning windmill leaving Dr Frankenstein for dead. But the suits at Universal wanted a lighter ending so a scene was rushed into production. Those were stand ins for Colin Clive and Mae Clarke in the background.

[@JohnMinehan-lx9ts]

Funny that two of Karloff's subsequent roles (within 3 years of this) were in Public Enemy and John Ford's The Lost Patrol. At least early on, he was NOT typecast.

[@BarryHart-xo1oy]

Very true.

[@williamcurry4868]

What’s so cool is to see the Universal universe, which has its own continuity, and to see how it mixes modern and old country sensibilities. Glad to see this and can’t wait to see you discuss more of these.

[@frankensteinmonster1931]

The Bride of Frankenstein is my favorite movie. I own all the Universal Monster movies. The first three Frankenstein movies are the peak in my opinion. I also really like the first Invisible Man movie. It’s really entertaining. I couldn’t disagree with you more on Donnie Dunagan’s Peter. That was the only part of Son of Frankenstein that I absolutely didn’t like. I understand he was just a kid but he really annoyed the absolute crap out of me every time he spoke. But that’s just me.

[@seeburgm100a]

Jerome Weiselberry TCM needs a permanent segment of Classic Horror and Sci Fi and should consider you as their host. Now how about that?

[@thelongestjohn]

Greatest film series ever in my opinion. Every shot in any of the first three films can be displayed on a wall.

[@MarkAS56]

Ugh, no Una would have gone even further. She ruins or almost ruins every scene she's in, for me. Enough that I prefer and think superior the original. Minus that it might be superior. The bride finale is indeed made incredible by Elsa. She's unforgettable. Rathbone is one of my personal all time favs, that and the architect and photography goes a long way to making me greatly enjoy Son of...., its been underrated for a lot if years perhaps.

[@Allan_aka_RocKITEman]

Great reviews, JW...👍

[@dmcc8620]

The man of a thousand faces killed it.

[@Godzilla-tu2cd]

Yeah boy Frankenstein can't wait for your review of wolfman meets Frankenstein great video as always

[@randyacuna3248]

With all sequels from Frankenstein to the mummy, invisible man to today with Jason, freddy, to rocky, to ocean's 11 , all sequels cannot or ever will pass the first 3 Frankenstein movies . They are still the best ever in movie history.

[@Danazawa]

The thing that people fail to mention about Bride of Frankenstein is how funny it is; It is a brilliant black comedy. Ernest Thesiger is amazing, particularly the crypt scene - and I disagree with you about the miniatures scene it is a great piece of high camp. Did you know Ernest Thesiger wrote books on embroidery and called himself 'the stitching bitch' - he did not care for the, ahem, company of women.

[@Weiselberry]

Yeah, I think I might be in the minority when it comes to that scene. I meant to say though that technically speaking I'm always impressed with it. I don't know much about Thesiger. I glanced through his filmography and was surprised to find I'd seen him in several other movies. How many times have I watched the 1951 Christmas Carol and never realized he played the Undertaker?

[@Danazawa]

You must review The Old Dark House, James Whale's brilliant horror comedy, with Karloff, Thesiger, Laughton and Melvyn Douglas! It is worth seeing for Thesiger's delivery of the line 'Have a potato', alone.

[@carlosbarbosa9062]

Jerome Weiselberry Times to Come (1936) is a rare futuristic sci fi from those years where he portray an important character. You should review that one someday. It was also the first attempt to make that kind of futurustic epic after Metropolis and before the Buck Roger serial and the fist one a really box office sucess. It was reissue in 1940 because the audience felt the movie foretold what was happening at World War II.

[@seeburgm100a]

@@Weiselberry now there are two of us in the minority. I collect 16mm Horror and Sci Fi films and have all of the Frankenstein, Wolfman and Dracula films. I watch them regularly.. Thank you for this great review.. Bride is without a doubt the best of the series on so many levels but it absolutely falls flat with the miniature people. The greatness of the movie overall is the only thing allowing us to overlook this failure. We would have been better served with some sort of failed animal experiments akin to Island of Lost Souls (The Island of Dr Moreau) or just animals in jars of formaldehyde.. There is a huge disconnect, are we to believe that Praetorius can create complete intelligent miniature beings with emotions and attraction that live in jars? and that he can't create anything else on his own without Frankenstein's help? Frankenstein's approach to creating life is not even the same as Dr Praetorius', so again we are asked to believe that Dr P abandons his research to become Frankenstein's pupil of a sort? Had this scene been something else this movie could have so much more than it already is. (BTW I haven't looked but if you haven't already a review of Island of Lost Souls would be a good one. Laughton and Lugosi at their absolute best!!!)

[@orinanime]

@@Weiselberry I'm in the minority with you as well. The comedy/camp of 'Bride' fell flat for me. I love the second half of this movie's story. But the overall comedy feel of this movie makes it my least favorite of the Frankenstein movies.

[@ChristopherElli-cc1ly]

Frankenstein is the greatest Universal monster. But the Bride is the greatest sequel in movie of all time. They are both of my top ten films. Yes, Dr Frankenstein is the monster. A terrible father. He abandoned the creature because he not perfect.

[@WhisperingJohn]

My first love, The Bride. She was so hot.

[@JohnMinehan-lx9ts]

Mae Clarke was also the recipient of that grapefruit from James Cagney . . . . .

[@dewey2442]

These are fantasic! Great job!!

[@Weiselberry]

Thank you! :)

[@THEPETERC1]

The book (1818) has never been out of print. The only English language novel with a longer continuous history is Robinson Crusoe (1719).

[@chrisdigitalartist]

Okay! So of course, Frankenstein is a classic. I am not sure what else I can add with that, however, Bride of Frankenstein may be my favorite and I just might prefer to the original...maybe - it's close call. The only thing I was disappointed in when first seeing this one, was how little bride actually was in it! I felt cheated! I felt ripped off! lol Okay, now for the ones I have just seen recently, Son of Frankenstein. I am not sure what it was about this one. It just wasn't what I was expecting. I found it too be a little too slow paced - Maybe? It didn't feel like the monster was really in it that much either compared to the other two. However, Boris is of course, doing a wonderful job. However, I kind of wish he would have talked like in the previous film myself. Bela Lugosi's acting was also top notched! Really thought he did such a great job. He altered his voice giving it a more rough gravel sound! You wouldn't even know it was him! The Ghost of Frankenstein was actually pretty entertaining. I think I found it more entertaining than the Son of Frankenstein. I think because the monster is actually out and about in the town again, while the previous movie had the monster only around Frankenstein's place (If I am remembering it correctly.) I think Lon Chaney Jr did a good job too. Bela was still great as Igor - felt like a continuation of the previous one. The ending however was a little cheesy when Igor's voice was coming out of the monster after the brain transfusion - and the continuity of these films do get a little confusing when so many times the monster should have been dead lol But I sure love these movies overall. I am assuming perhaps you put Frankenstein VS. The Wolfman under Wolfman's review? It does feel more like a sequel to The Wolfman than it does another Frankenstein movie.

[@Weiselberry]

Interesting, you prefer Ghost over Son. Son of Frankenstein holds more appeal for me outside of the story itself, so I guess that's partly why I prefer it. But I've only seen Ghost the one time and I don't remember it as well. I ended up keeping all the "monster mashes" together... but I see you already figured that out. :)

[@ianfindly3257]

Your kidding?! .. . you didn't dig Lord Byron "Worlds greatest sinner!!"?!

[@marknelson2-ih6sq]

I'm a big fan of the miniature people but the Blind Hermit sequence with it's soap opera violins are way over the top for whale who's satire is otherwise perfectly handled .. Brigitte Helm (METROPOLIS) was Whale's original choice for the Bride .. SON had the most lavish budget of the series

[@ponyboygarfunkel1675]

I particularly enjoy Una O'Connor and Elsa Lanchester. I love their oddness. And why is it you insist on mispronouncing I-gor?

[@JohnMinehan-lx9ts]

The funny thing is Karloff was just above average height and somewhat gaunt. Hardly a prepossessing type . . . .

[@garyhart6421]

I don't recall the 4th film --- I probably saw it but not as often as the other 3.

[@Weiselberry]

I don't think it gets talked about nearly as much.

[@princeeverlove]

FRANKENSTEIN is THE KING OF THE MONSTERS! (I even have a 1966 Marx Figure of the Monster in green! Rare to find!) Colin Clive was brilliant as the obsessive Dr.Frankenstein as he was in his manic role in "Mad Love" as well!

[@unclemarty7321]

Uncle Marty is a big fan of the Frankenstein saga.. Karloff was sure to never Boris (teehee.. get it?).

[@JEFFIE-jp6kj]

BRIDE is my favorite of the '30s .. for the '40s the very best & my favorite is CAT PEOPLE

[@kevinogracia1615]

One can't forget "Jesse James Meets Frankenstein's Daughter." (real movie} Also - Question... Why don't we see any mad scientist women? Peace on earth.

[@jamesmarshall8836]

I think you are nit-picking with the prologue featuring Mary Shelley, Lord Byron and Percy Shelley. It's a clever touch. I don't mind how the three of them are portayed...this isn't a documentary on the trio.

[@iasimov5960]

Review Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein.

[@Weiselberry]

I did in the follow-up video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oYrYeppthdeLi9U

[@AlanCortes-s6l]

Have you ever thought about doing videos of comparing the difference from novels and films like dracula and frankenstien?

[@Weiselberry]

No, I'm sure that would be a good project for somebody to tackle, but I don't want to be the one that does it. :)

[@charlesheck6812]

you’re not only beautiful you’re super smart, which makes you even more beautiful! 👍

[@annepurcell4495]

This beautiful girl is named Jerome?☹️

[@Weiselberry]

Here's a video where I explained the channel name: kzbin.info/www/bejne/lXzCiJihj7Kopsk