Directed by James Whale Genre: poetic Gothic horror United States – 1931 – black and white – English with French subtitles

Dr Henry Frankenstein, an earnest but misguided scientist, is obsessed to the point isolation with creating a man piecemeal from stolen body parts. The body is jolted by lightening into a being that is bogus from the outset: its stolen brain does not understand who or what it is. Dr Frankenstein realises immediately he has failed. His creation is a hideous and mentally feeble Monster, inarticulate except for strange moo-like cries, with an almost square head stitched on a huge cumbersome body. Treated cruelly, he escapes as he about to be euthanised and dissected. He is befriended by a small girl in the countryside, and is delighted that she is not afraid of him. Together they float daisies on the river, but he playfully kills her when he throws her into the water, not realising she will drown. When the villagers discover what has happened, they turn into a vigilante mob, and along with Dr Frankenstein, pursue him into the mountains. The Monster grabs his creator and takes refuge on a mill’s balcony. The villagers, as enflamed as the torches they carry, set fire to the mill.

Cast: Colin Clive Dr Henry Frankenstein Mae Clarke Elizabeth John Boles Victor Boris Karloff the Monster The presenter Edward Van Sloan
Produced by Carl Laemmle Jr
Based on the novel by Mary Shelly and the play by Peggy Webling (adapted by John L. Balderston)
Screenplay: Francis Edward Faragoh, Garret Fort Editor: Clarence Kolster
Photography: Arthur Edeson
Make up: Jack P. Pierce
Art direction: Charles D. Hall
Music: Bernhard Kaun