Showing posts with label The Bride of Frankenstein. Show all posts
Showing posts with label The Bride of Frankenstein. Show all posts

Wednesday, April 2, 2014

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.