Chrono's Horror Marathon Week 1: Frankenstein's Monster

[Straker]

That was a blast.... Not sure how I'll manage the midweek/ later viewings, someone might have to wake me up half way through next time.

[The Villain]

I enjoyed it as well. Glad i was able to take part. I'm gonna try and do the others as well

[ChronoGrl]

Yes!! That was a lot of fun. I can actually probably schedule next Sunday's earlier if that's better for you; I went to King Richard's Faire today (dorky pictures to follow) so I wanted to make sure that I got home in time to set stuff up.

...

So I think we had a pretty successful viewing!! Straker and Villain were able to make it - HF could hear and see us (and I translated through her texts), and my friend Mike attempted to join in as well.

So this is the first time that I've seen Frankenstein since I was very very young - Here is what stood out to me:

• The "Warning" at the beginning of the movie from the "Host" - I had absolutely forgotten about that as being the opener for the movie; I had forgotten about how iconic those kinds of introductions are (makes me think of Simpsons' Tree House of Horror and Rocky Horror Picture Show - I understand no what they're emulating).
• The set pieces were phenomenal - From the cemetery at the beginning to the castle; I loved how the director used light and shadow and truly framed each shot.
• Colin Clive as Doctor Frankenstein - He really embodied the part. What stood out to me particularly is that he made me think a LOT Jeffrey Combs's Herbert West in Re-Animator (a now obvious parallel) - I was just so struck by Clive; his appearance wan and harried.
• The scene with the little girl really moved me; in terms of what I remember from the last time I saw the movie (20+ years ago), that's one of the scenes I remember - And it still moves me now - It's sad (making you realize that he has the mentality of an infant) and it's truly horrifying (realizing that he doesn't have the concept of what it is to be "alive" and how easy it is to snuff out that life).
• I also thought the scene with Fritz hanging was especially powerful, as it's our first glimpse into the Monster's strength.
• What's also interesting is to look at the true differences between filmmaking then and filmmaking now - The scenes are shorter, and with no score it really does feel sparse. I found myself distracted at times (though, to be fair, it could have been me chatting - I was trying to strike a balance between watching the movie and chatting with folks

I think what I enjoyed most about this movie was the iconic scenes, the direction, and set pieces - I was more interested in these visuals than I was with the dialogue.

I'm super-psyched to watch Bride of Frankenstein, which I haven't seen before.

Originally Posted by Sculpt

Frankenweenie is a Tim Burton film; been in my queue a long time.

Watched a little of the opening of Frank Army with a buddy, and he hit the hyperspace button, and I couldn't blame him. Love the concept, but the opening wasn't promising.

Oh, man - The opening really is horrible. But stick with it. Pleeeeeeeeeease. The climax is really what did it for me. SO GREAT.

Originally Posted by metternich1815

I have always been a huge Frankenstein fan; in fact, the novel is actually one of my favorites of any genre. I will definitely try to make those viewings, if I am not too busy. I can definitely make the Young Frankenstein one and I will try to make the others. I still have not replaced my Young Frankenstein VHS, so it looks like I will be watching it via VHS. I am not sure how popular it is, but another one I really loved was Curse of Frankenstein (1957). It is classic Hammer and actually one of my favorite Frankenstein adaptations.

I haven't read the novel! I really should. And HF & Villain brought up Curse, too. I'll have to see if I can track that down (either that or Poltergeist, so I can participate in Villian's Viewings too!)

Originally Posted by hammerfan

Sorry I'm late! Wasn't expecting to be at my friend's house that long!

I'm watching

So now I want to hear about Curse of Frankenstein - Please elaborate!

[hammerfan]

Starts when Victor Frankenstein is a young boy, and follows his life with a tutor with whom he conducts his experiments. It's very different from Universal's Frankenstein, but has some similar points (fiancee/wife that the creature goes after). It's always interested me seeing Peter Cushing portray a villain. In Hammer's versions, the good Doctor is definitely a villain, not the sympathetic person in the Universal movies.

[ChronoGrl]

Originally Posted by hammerfan

Starts when Victor Frankenstein is a young boy, and follows his life with a tutor with whom he conducts his experiments. It's very different from Universal's Frankenstein, but has some similar points (fiancee/wife that the creature goes after). It's always interested me seeing Peter Cushing portray a villain. In Hammer's versions, the good Doctor is definitely a villain, not the sympathetic person in the Universal movies.

Cool! Interesting to hear the differences in the Monster/Doctor portrayals!

[neverending]

Just saw on FB you said you'd never seen Bride of F, and here you say Young Frank is one of your favorites. Wait till you've watched Bride and then watched Young F again- a lot of the jokes come from Bride... and Son of F as well...

[The Bloofer Lady]

Wasn't able to find full Frankenstein 1931 on YouTube but remember it somewhat. So I chose to watch Teenage Frankenstein 1957. A descendent of Victor Frankenstein's decides to put his theories to test on a modern day teenager. Conveniently, while describing his plans to an associate, a horrific car crash outside his home provides him with his human guinea pig!

Bit of a spoiler ahead. Even though his laboratory is in the basement, there is apparently a basement in the basement where he keeps crocodiles to eat his "leftovers".. . All in all, good fun.

[roshiq]

I second Hammer's Curse and also like to recommend its first 4 sequels! Love them all! Cushing owned the part by every means! A year or two ago, I had even a special Hammer's Frankenstein Movie Marathon just before the Halloween....it was a blast!

[Straker]

Well, I didn't manage to concentrate on the movie to much last night due to some technical issues both with my connection to the room and my inability to multitask successfully, but I'll get to grips with that next time.

One thing I would suggest though is that you add a little Hammer to your watch list, if you can make room. I know that Villain said he hadn't seen any (most?) of the hammer vampire flicks and you (Chrono) haven't seen much hammer either. I think Dracula (1958) aka Horror of Dracula would make a great addition to your marathon. Its one of the benchmarks of the modern vampire genre and as close to essential viewing as almost anything in the horror genre.

Also, the most surreal moment of the evening, for me, was listening to a bunch of Americans, who know way more than me about Dr. Who, gossiping away about David Tennant, and whoever else has taken over the role in recent years..... Anything post Sylvester McCoy goes over my head.

[ChronoGrl]

Originally Posted by neverending

Just saw on FB you said you'd never seen Bride of F, and here you say Young Frank is one of your favorites. Wait till you've watched Bride and then watched Young F again- a lot of the jokes come from Bride... and Son of F as well...

Oh man - I can't wait!

Originally Posted by The Bloofer Lady

Wasn't able to find full Frankenstein 1931 on YouTube but remember it somewhat. So I chose to watch Teenage Frankenstein 1957. A descendent of Victor Frankenstein's decides to put his theories to test on a modern day teenager. Conveniently, while describing his plans to an associate, a horrific car crash outside his home provides him with his human guinea pig!

Bit of a spoiler ahead. Even though his laboratory is in the basement, there is apparently a basement in the basement where he keeps crocodiles to eat his "leftovers".. . All in all, good fun.

hahaha - I haven't even heard of that one... And, what, YOU don't have a basement within a basement for YOUR crocodiles??

Originally Posted by roshiq

I second Hammer's Curse and also like to recommend its first 4 sequels! Love them all! Cushing owned the part by every means! A year or two ago, I had even a special Hammer's Frankenstein Movie Marathon just before the Halloween....it was a blast!

Originally Posted by Straker

Well, I didn't manage to concentrate on the movie to much last night due to some technical issues both with my connection to the room and my inability to multitask successfully, but I'll get to grips with that next time.

One thing I would suggest though is that you add a little Hammer to your watch list, if you can make room. I know that Villain said he hadn't seen any (most?) of the hammer vampire flicks and you (Chrono) haven't seen much hammer either. I think Dracula (1958) aka Horror of Dracula would make a great addition to your marathon. Its one of the benchmarks of the modern vampire genre and as close to essential viewing as almost anything in the horror genre.

Also, the most surreal moment of the evening, for me, was listening to a bunch of Americans, who know way more than me about Dr. Who, gossiping away about David Tennant, and whoever else has taken over the role in recent years..... Anything post Sylvester McCoy goes over my head.

Yeah, I really should. I'm curious about Curse of Frankenstein and would love to see their Horror of Dracula - I'll see what I can fit in (just sent away for Poltergeist to participate in Villain's thread!!

hahaha - And I assumed all you Brits watched Dr. Who!


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OK Folks! Tonight's viewing is the iconic Bride of Frankenstein (1935)

I'll be back here before 8:00 p.m. EST with the Live Chat link (though I will probably be less talky since I haven't seen this one!) - I'm so psyched!