MUCH BETTER AS SCIENCE FICTION THAN HORROR

"Frankenstein" (1931) -- 7/10

By Martin Zabell
(Wrote on Nov. 21, 2007)

Let me get this out of the way. The most enjoyable part of "Frankenstein" was when The Monster killed Edward Van Sloan's character. In all his movies ("Dracula," "The Mummy"), he plays a smug, all-knowing, plot-killer. "Frankenstein" would have been better without him. There, I said it.

In all seriousness, I found the first half of the movie inventive, intriguing, mysterious, foreboding, suspenseful, and provocative. It worked as a science fiction movie. As a citizen, I would never approve of a Dr. Frankenstein conducting bizarre experiments on humans. As a movie viewer, I was gung-ho in support of the Colin Clive character being an anti-establishment renegade.

In addition, watching The Monster adjust to life as a newborn was very interesting. He was very gentle, obeying his creator's commands like a puppy while walking harmlessly around the laboratory. Later, he fearfully reacts to his first sight of light while Dr. F. seeks to comfort him.

I looked forward to 40 more minutes of watching the world from The Monster's perspective. (OK, I knew what was going to happen, but I try to block my knowledge so my review is fairer.) Unfortunately, the Van Sloan character, Dr. Waldman, stepped in and stuck a dagger into the story.

The turning point of the movie was when Frankenstein's assistant scared The Monster by holding a torch a few feet from his head. Of course, he reacted negatively and throws a temper tantrum. Dr. Waldman urges Dr. F to "shoot it" and the creator makes the boneheaded decision of tying up The Monster and giving up on his experiment after one negative experience.

This turnaround ruined the movie – and makes no sense. Instantaneously, Frankenstein changes from a bold, imaginative rulebreaker into his mentor's sycophant and a conformist. His goal changes from creating life to getting married. This plot turn can't be more unoriginal. Boooring!!!!

A large part of the second half of the movie is set in a castle where Dr. F's father has six, count them six, servants. I couldn't be less interested in Dr. F's private life. And somehow villagers who are determined to rid the world of The Monster become worshipers of the very scientist who created that Monster and anoint him as the leader of the anti-Monster group. Stuuupid!!!

The story would have been far more interesting if Frankenstein told Waldman to shove it and the movie becomes a confrontation between Frankenstein and The Monster on the one side and the staid establishment on the other. The audience should have been rooting for Dr. F and The Monster.

Given the story's turn, The Monster should have been much scarier. He kills two people who were trying to harm him and innocently and accidentally kills a little girl. In other words, the movie doesn't work as a horror story after having succeeded splendidly as science fiction until the plot turn.

The plot turn also directs attention away from The Monster and toward the now boring doctor. This is devastating because the best post-turn scenes focus on The Monster trying to learn about life.

Halfway through the movie, I was considering making it my first 10. Unfortunately, the transition from science fiction to predictable romance/weak horror compels me to award it a 7.