Son of Frankenstein

I am so glad you guys finally got this on here, one of my all time favorite movies I am downloading it right now……..awesome!

If a movie this juvenile was released today, the very same critics would have recommended it for the dumpster. But, it wasn't released today, and there are some features that should definitely make you put it on your must-see list. Lugosi's intensity is astonishing, and his ability to portray a character utterly devoid of humanity is perhaps without parallel in film-- at moments. The rest of the time, he looks like he is waiting for the Director to yell, " Cut" so he can go to lunch. Karloff also shows the ability -- and make-up effects -- that made him a legend. The only other character of interest is the inspector, who uses a remarkable physical quirk (you really need to see it to believe it) to elevate his performance and the entire movie. Rathbone's only good moment was his last scene with the monster, and his final scene is so stupid you won't know whether to roll your eyes or laugh out loud. The rest of the cast are disposable, mere vehicles to carry the plot -- with one exception: the settings, although low budget, are so powerful that they contribute as much as the key roles. Altogether a great story, and a great lesson in story telling. Hard to imagine you'll ever get a better return on your 3 bucks.

The story goes like this...... the Son of Henry Frankenstein [that's right.....they called him Henry in this film series] goes back to the town where the monster attacked before and he has to deal with Ygor and Frankenstein's monster. The major plot-line to non-horror fans would seem like Young Frankenstein's plot....with Dr. Frankenstein being similar to Gene Wilder's Dr. Frankenstein, Ygor looking like the assistant Ygor ["It's pronounced 'Eye-gor'." "But, they told me it was Ygor." "Well, they were wrong then weren't they?"], and the constable in this version strikingly resembled the constable in Mel Brooks' comedy masterpiece. But please try to forget that film existed when you watch this movie....otherwise you will be making smart-a$$ed jokes throughout a great cinema classic. Anyway, the performances are great. Basil Rathbone [Sherlock Holmes himself] and Boris Karloff are great..........but the cigar goes to Bela Lugosi for his excellent portrayal of Ygor. His performance was so great that he was included in Ghost of Frankenstein....speaking of which, this was the last film Boris Karloff portrayed the monster. So, check this movie out.

Let's face it - the original "Frankenstein" will always be the best, but I actually like this one more than "Bride of Frankenstein." There's solid suspense, and the use of light and shadows is very effective in so many scenes. "Son of Frankenstein" is definitely a worthy follow-up. And this is the last tme Karloff portrayed the monster, so it has that historical fact going for it as well. (By the way - it's THIS movie that "Young Frankenstein" spoofs. Watch this one, and you'll see scene after scene that Mel Brooks uses in his classic.)