A-Z: Classic Monsters - B is for Bride of Frankenstein

Today's A-Z Challenge post on Classic Monsters is for the letter "B," and my featured classic monster is the formidable freakish beauty, The Bride of Frankenstein.

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Who is the Bride of Frankenstein?

Frankenstein, as we know is the creative brainchild of Mary Shelley.  (If you haven't had a chance to read this creepy classic check out my review.)  Like most classics there are spin-offs of the original. After the hugely successful classic film, Frankenstein, debuted in 1931, a continuation of the series was created with many of the same characters, and the film was known as The Bride of Frankenstein.
Read more here.

About the Classic Film

The Bride of Frankenstein, directed by James Whale, was released in 1935.  The plot was simple.  The monster wants a mate, and Dr. Frankenstein is forces to do the unthinkable once again.  The best part of this story is when the bride is horrified when awakened and realizes her betrothed is a monster.  It was such a huge smash that it received raves of reviews like this one from The New York Times said the combination of Whales, Karloff, Elizabeth, Elsa and the other cast and crew members essentially created "a first-rate horror film."  That review was written in 1935 over seventy-five years ago, and we are still smitten to this day.

What makes The Bride a classic monster?

Well, it short, there was a huge fascination for the original tale and the idea of the Monster.  Much like today, fans couldn't get enough of Frankenstein.  I think what made this movie a huge success was the fact that it had the unique "original" element to it, much like Frankenstein.  Second, it had the quintessential aspect of love that we all are suckers for---even the creepy kind.  If you think about it, how can something so monstrous be capable of love?  And does he even deserve it?  I think we have the tragic answer in the end when The Bride refuses her betrothed.  What do you think this move was such a classic?  What make the endears us to the Bride?

My Favorite Bride Iteration

Of course I can't mention The Bride of Frankenstein without mentioning Madeline Kahn.  She is a classic actor herself.  No one depicts The Bride as good as the original except the vivacious vixen, Madeline Kahn, in the spin-off, slapstick comic, Young Frankenstein.

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Did you have a different monster in mind for the letter "B" for my Classic Monster A-Z feature?  Any other thoughts as to why you think she is a classic monster?

Mina B.

A-Z: Classic Monsters - A is for Abominable Snowman

Welcome to my first A-Z post on Classic Monsters.  The first and frankly, only classic monster who popped into my mind for the letter "A" was the Abominable Snowman also known as the Yeti.

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What is a Yeti or the Abominable Snowman?

The Aboninable Snowman is defined as a "humanlike creature so named because it is associated with the perpetual snow region of the Himalayas. A figure unknown except through tracks ascribed to it and through alleged encounters, it is described as being 6 to 8 ft (1.8 to 2.4 m) tall and covered with long, dark hair."  Read more here.

Does it exist?

Unlike most classic monsters, we know as imaginary characters, there is still a question as to whether or not the infamous monster exists.  Over the years, many have sought proof that they exist and most recently cutting-edge science has taken a stab at it.  The latest theory using DNA-like assumptions states that they Abominable Snowman is most likely an ancient polar bear.  Hmm....

Classic Interpretations

Although I've never read a classic book where it featured the monster, it has been widely accepted as a classic one thanks these classic interpretations in film, television, comics and cartoons.

The Abominable Snowman (film), a 1957 British horror film, directed by Val Guest and starring Forrest Tucker and Peter Cushing.  I'm not sure how successful it was, but it definitely ranks high in the classic film genre.  Did you ever see it?  Last year, it was announced that Hammer Films is set to do a remake of the classic film where "a scientific expedition's illegal ascent up an unclimbed peak of one of the world's most formidable mountains accidentally awakens an ancient creature that could spell a certain end for them all."  Sounds interested, huh?  Can't wait for that one.




A character in The Abominable Snow Rabbit, a 1961 Bugs Bunny/Daffy Duck cartoon that spoofed the 1957 film.  This is one of my favorite cartoons.  Who doesn't remember the Abomindable Snowman wanting to name Daffy George?

Have you ever heard of the comic from Marvel Comics, I Found The Abominable Snowman - I never read this comic, but it had a great hook.  "Carl was obsessed with finding the Abominable Snowman, causing him to make a terrible miscalculation and use a cursed picture of the beast to search for him. The result was that Carl himself became the Abominable Snowman."  Cooh, huh?

The Abominable Snowman featured in Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, the TV Special, was a scary character that continues to frighten children during Christmas time.  It is probably the most recognizable classic iteration of the character.  

Did you come up with Abominable Snowman for my Classic Monster A-Z feature?  No?  Okay, who did I miss?

Mina B.

A-Z Challenge Reveal: Classic Monsters

As the A-Z Challenge ramps up for April, today is the A-Z Challenge Reveal created by Vidya Sury!  Not too long ago, I took a tally on my blog to find my blog topic.  And the winner is...Classic Monsters.  Cool huh?

I've already put together a list but I would love to hear which classic monster you'd like read about.  Of course I will be covering many of the classic characters featured in this picture.  Any suggestions?

Comment and let me know.

The A-Z Challenge starts April 1st.  Sign up today if you haven't already.

Mina B.