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| This is a comments thread about Blog Post: Aisle Seat Halloween Horrors: Universal Monsters, Little Shop & More! by Andy Dursin |
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Really looking forward to the Universal Classic Blu-Rays. These are some of my all-time favorite films.
As always, a fine article with great reviews, but I disagree with this:
James Whale’s FRANKENSTEIN introduced viewers to Boris Karloff in his legendary role as the Frankenstein monster, and while the film remains a striking work for its 1931 release date, it pales in comparison to THE BRIDE OF FRANKENSTEIN
I know it's all opinion, but still, wow, not in a million years. I'll go to my grave arguing that Frankenstein is the vastly superior film of the two Whale's. It's a solid, consistently spooky tale that never drops into ridiculous comedic antics. And it sustains interest without a musical score.
Bride does have an amazing Waxman score, but it needs it. The earlier film works well without music. The picture boasts great performances (Elsa Lanchester at the end is outstanding) and a fantastic finale (except for the odd self destruction lever), but the frequent shenanigans with Una O'Connor, the cheesy "mini-people" and outright out of place goofiness of the introduction drag this one down. Whale wasn't interested in making a second Frankenstein and decided to make it a comedy. For some reason, people seem to prefer it to the classier, creepy original. I mean, come on, there are no scares in sight in Bride, but in the first we have the silent close up of the monster, the drowning of Maria, the choking of Dr. Waldman and the hanging of Fritz. All are still effective today. Remember, this was back when Universal tried to scare audiences with these flicks. Later monster rallies were just there for fun.
To each his own, but I really don't get it. Bride is a fine film, but the first is just amazing.
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So did they just put the pan & scan syndicated version of Halloween II on its own DVD rather than transfer the original widescreen footage? If so, then that's a disappointment.
Mike
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I used to think Bride was better, but I don't now. I think it's too quirky for its own good, & Ernest Thesiger is far too camp. It does have some great scenes, the creation of the bride is fantastic (as is the music for it), the cutting looks years ahead of its time. The original Frankenstein is a grim tale & it works so well, even today (where as I can't take Dracula seriously). It's funny that, when these mad professors build a laboratory, they always put in a handy lever that will blow the whole place up!
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