October Blind Spot: Frankenstein

First and foremost, what makes this a Blind Spot movie? In other words, why is this film essential?

I don’t think it needs any other reason than because it is Frankenstein. The reason I chose Frankenstein(1931) is, believe it or not but, I had never known this story up until recently despite being a lauded literary classic. Extent of my knowledge went so far as knowing a scientist creates some monster. That's it! For the longest time, I was under the impression that name of the monster is Frankenstein because, frankly, that does sound rather sinister name. So I thought this might be a good chance not just to check out one of the most iconic horror films in movie history but also to get acquainted to this piece of classic literature. And off course, there can’t be a more apt time of the year than Halloween for this, right?

So, what is the story about?

Henry Frankenstein is a young scientist obsessed with being a God. He wants to create life and has spent months in isolation working on his machine he believes will create life. We first meet him in a graveyard, along with his deformed assistant Frits, making rounds of cremation grounds and gallows looking for human parts to assemble complete human body to revive. Back home, his fiancée Elizabeth is worried about him and seeks help of his former teacher and mentor Dr. Waldman. Along with Victor Moritz, friend of both Henry and Elizabeth, they go to his laboratory to put some sense into him. There they witness Henry bring a monstrous, grotesque body he has composed form various stolen parts back to life. Initially Henry is extremely happy with the results but soon, because of series of misunderstandings, his monster turns on them. Henry realizes his mistake and even agrees to destroy his own creation but he underestimates the monster he has brought to life and wrecks havoc.

I am pretty sure everyone knows the story in general because I don’t think there are many more specimen like me out there. Not only have I never read Mary Shelley’s book, I had no idea what the story was until I saw this couple of nights ago. Since then I did a little research about the book and it seems that movie took a lot of freedom in interpreting the story in its own way. It not only prunes various characters and storylines but also makes it much lighter in terms of price Dr. Frankenstein has to pay for his creation. It even adds few things here and there. I would not know if it is for better or for worse until I read the book but I did like what I saw.

What did I think of it? What did I like the most about it and what didn't I like?

It satisfied me on various levels. First of all being a 1931 movie, I immediately assumed it to be a silent film. Imagine my surprise as the master of ceremony takes the stage to warn us about the horrors coming our way and he actually talks. Then there is also the matter of this unprecedented introduction. Agreed that I haven’t seen most of Frankenstein’s brother classic monster movies but I have never heard of such introduction before and it definitely got me right into the mood for a horror movie. Score!

Once again, being a 1931 movie, when you sit yourself down to watch it you have certain expectations from it. You expect to see a lot of stagey, loud emoting. Much more emphasis is on actually showing every strand of emotion than just hinting at it. I don’t mean to downplay that because it’s something you have to leave with in movies from that period. I have become used to it by now and, as I just said, even accept it as a trademark of the period. While this movie does have its share of such moments, frequency of it and scale is on much lower side. It makes it much easier to get into this movie. I was pleasantly surprised by how much modern it looked in its presentation.

Last and certainly most important thing is Boris Karloff and his monster. Though it is considered an iconic horror film, it can hardly be scary after more than 80 years. We have seen far too much now to be scared of it. But mere presence of Karloff with that equally iconic makeup is still quite enough to send some shivers down your spine. However what makes this performance worth mentioning here is this isn’t just one-dimensional monster. Even if we look at that one encounter with Maria, it manages to make him look somewhat human in his own way with that. It ends with disastrous results for both Maria and the monster but showing him being able to connect is definitely worth praise.

After having seen it, do I agree with its 'essential' status? And why?

Not only because this is one of the most iconic horror movies but also because of the various motifs it manages to touch upon I think this classic story, which has managed to stay in the discussion for well over a century, certainly deserves the label essential. From very early stage of our existence, our desire, our need to push our own boundaries, explore new grounds has brought us where we are. However right now, when our lives are more than ever governed by the technology, is the need for us to know where to stop. With the monster’s encounter with Maria that I alluded to earlier, it also brings forth the question of whether it was our incompetence in understanding him, nurturing him into our own civilization is what brings out his monstrosities; another warning against conquering the unknowns.

Frankenstein is an ideal example of man crossing his boundaries to be someone he doesn’t fully grasp and obviously to most dire results. Henry Frankenstein is obsessed with being God and his desire to create life is what brings this calamity on him as well as others. Over the years, we have had fair share of movies warning us about it but this could be one of the pioneers. Also, It must have taken some guts to take such an acclaimed piece of literature and put his own spin on that, hopefully without loosing the gist of original. James Whale not only dared to do that but did it well and the fact that it holds so well after so many years and is still so true is a real testament to its timelessness.

Does it open few new doors for me? Does this inspire to watch any other movies?

I have only seen The Phantom of the Opera(1925) and Nosferatu(1922) of all the classic monster horror movies I alluded to earlier. If these three films are any indication, I will like to try my hand at some more of that genre. Maybe The Mummy(1932) for more Boris Karloff or Dracula(1931), another equally iconic movie with equally iconic monster Bela Lugosi as well a classic piece of literature and maybe even The Wolf Man(1941). Being black and white horror movies, I don’t know when will I really get to them but I certainly would like to try some of them. Hopefully soon, at least before next Halloween.