Karloff’s ‘Frankenstein,’ still the monster gold standard

When watching old movies, sometimes one needs to suspend modernity and travel back in time. All those plot cliches and cookie-cutter characters need to be excused. This is another era, another way of thinking. That’s not mediocrity; it’s history.

When watching the original cinematic adaptation of Frankenstein, starring a still impressive Boris Karloff and equally engaging Colin Clive, one doesn’t need to worry too much about the source material becoming dated. The 1931 film still hold up extremely well, some 80 years after its original release.

The acting is terrific. The plotting is precise and economical. James Whale’s direction is scarily effective. All of the right elements are in place and, when taken together, they make for one exceedingly enjoyable monster feature.

Based on Mary Shelley’s classic novel, Frankenstein follows the God-like aspirations of Henry Frankenstein (Clive) and his quest to reanimate life afters its dead and forgotten. After stealing a body from the local cemetery, the doctor and his assistant Fritz (Dwight Frye) harness the electrical impulses from the sky and create one of the first forms of the walking dead.

Oddly, Frankenstein is not seen as a zombie film. However, such a classification is perfectly appropriate. In fact, it’s fair to say that George A. Romero and other filmmakers were heavily influenced by Whale’s production. The look and posturing of the monster have become standard for many horror movies throughout the years. He wears black and has a pale face. He shuffles along, but always seems to catch up to his victims.

Of course, Frankenstein is not interested in eating brains. He’s a child stuck in a mangled adult body. His interests are innocent and kind; however, his temperament is easily excitable. One of the most famous scenes is when the monster has a cup of a tea with a little girl near a lake. It’s a picturesque sequence between a man-child and his emotional equal.

It’s hard to imagine the movie working so well without the brilliant performance from Karloff. He embodies the monster completely, from his stance, his garbled grunts, his inability to understand his own power. The powerhouse acting job will remind audience members of the Lennie Small character in John Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men.

Matching Karloff’s performance is an exquisite scenic design and carefully crafted cinematography. Whale had a deft hand in bringing all of the elements together for a movie that has become essential viewing for any horror (or regular old cinematic) buff.

Frankenstein is still alive!

• Frankenstein

• 1931

• Directed by James Whale

• Written by Garrett Fort and Francis Edward Faragoh; based on the novel by Mary Shelley and the play by Peggy Webling

• Starring Colin Clive, Mae Clarke, Boris Karloff, John Boles and Dwight Frye

• Running time: 70 minutes

• Rating: