FRANKENSTEIN 75TH ANNIVERSARY EDIT-UNIVERSAL LEGACY SERIES(DVD) DVD

Frankenstein
Still regarded as the definitive film version of Mary Shelley's classic tale of tragedy and horror, Frankenstein made unknown character actor Boris Karloff a star and created a new icon of terror. Along with the highly successful Dracula, released earlier the same year, it launched Universal Studio's golden age of 1930s horror movies. The film's greatness stems less from its script than from the stark but moody atmosphere created by director James Whale; Herman Rosse's memorable set designs, particularly the fantastic watchtower laboratory, featuring electrical equipment designed by Kenneth Strickfaden; the creature's trademark look from makeup artist Jack Pierce, who required Karloff to don pounds of makeup and heavy asphalt shoes to create the monster's unique lurching gait; and Karloff's nuanced performance as the tormented and bewildered creature. Frankenstein was greeted with screams, moans, and fainting spells upon its initial release, obliging Universal to add a disclaimer in which Edward Van Sloan advises the faint of heart to leave the theater immediately. If they don't: "Well...we've warned you." Director James Whale was memorably embodied by Ian McKellen in the Oscar-winning 1998 Biopic Gods and Monsters. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Cast Colin Clive as Henry Frankenstein Boris Karloff as The Monster Mae Clarke as Elizabeth John Boles as Victor Moritz Dwight Frye as Fritz, the Dwarf Edward Van Sloan as Doctor Waldman Frederick Kerr as Baron Frankenstein

Crew Charles Hall - Art Director E.M. Asher - Associate Producer James Whale - Director Maurice Pivar - Editor Clarence Kolster - Editor David Brockman - Composer (Music Score) David Broekman - Composer (Music Score) Jack Pierce - Makeup Arthur Edeson - Cinematographer Carl Laemmle, Jr. - Producer Herman Rosse - Set Designer John P. Fulton - Special Effects John L. Balderston - Screenwriter Robert Florey - Screenwriter Francis Edwards Faragoh - Screenwriter Garrett Elsden Fort - Screenwriter Mary Shelley - Book Author Peggy Webling - Play Author

Frankenstein
Because Frankenstein created much of the cinematic language of horror films, it has often been imitated (and parodied). Consequently (and ironically), viewers coming to the film today may mistake the conventions that it created for clichés. The mad scientist and his neo-gothic lab, comma-shaped assistant, and rigidly lurching monster were all creations of director James Whale, and all have become movie icons. However, watching Frankenstein is more than simply an exercise in nostalgia. Despite moments of melodrama, the film is wonderfully economical, telling a complex and engaging tale in little more than one hour. There are more moments of quiet power (most of them involving the strikingly effective Boris Karloff as the monster who simply wants to be loved) than you'll find in a fistful of big-budget horror films. Whale knew his medium and didn't clutter the action with a lot of chatter. Instead, he filled the screen with images that would become part of our cultural lexicon. He builds the story to its tragically inevitable climax, interchanging moments of subtle beauty and dreadful horror. Rather than simply adopt a conventional perspective (man should not play God), Whale emphasized the human drama (Frankenstein should not have abandoned his creation), turning a horror film into an existential tale of man's fear of abandonment. ~ Dan Jardine, All Movie Guide
 

American Film Institute, 100 Greatest American Movies (winner) Library of Congress, U.S. National Film Registry (winner)

General Specifications: Language Options: English Subtitle Options: English, Spanish, French Sound Processing: DD2: Dolby Digital Stereo DD1: Dolby Digital Mono Additional Features: Disc 1 Karlofff: The Gentle Monster A tribute to the film career of Boris Karloff, focusing on director James Whale and Bela Lugosi Monster Tracks Interedting interactive pop-up facts about the making of Frankenstein that can be read while watching the film Feature commentary with Rudy Behlmer Feature commentary with historian Sir Christopher Frayling Disc 2 The Frankenstein Files: How Hollywood made a monster Franstein archives: Original posters and photo galleries Universal horror: This documentary, narrated by Kenneth Branagh, takes you on a fascinating journey through the making of the most memorable monster films of all time Boo! A short film DVD Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1: Pre-1954 Standard MPAA Rating: NR DVD Discs Included: 2 DVD Sides: 2 DVD DVD Region Code: 1 Content Length: min   DVD Chapters: Disc #1 -- Frankenstein 1. Main Titles: A Word of Friendly Warning [2:03] 2. The Grave Robbers [4:37] 3. The Abnormal Brain [7:27] 4. The Preparations [4:20] 5. Frankenstein's Plan [4:31] 6. The Creation [7:47] 7. The Creature [3:33] 8. His Tormentor [:59] 9. First Blood [6:36] 10. The Creature Escapes [:02] 11. Maria and the Monster [5:52] 12. The Uninvited Guest [5:47] 13. To Find a Monster [4:35] 14. The Windmill [5:33] 15. Death to the Monster! [2:06] 16. End Titles: A Toast to the Frankenstein [1:59]