The House of Frankenstein

source: The House of Frankenstein

House of Frankenstein

Instead of being the usual "monster-fest", the film focuses on Boris Karloff, who uses the creatures to murder the people who sent him to an asylum. The "Dracula" bit (in the beginning of the film) doesn't quite seem to "fit" the film; it looks as if it was added as an after-thought. (Plus, Carradine's Dracula is VERY "sloppy" about self-preservation; he is "discovred" and destroyed in the very beginning of the film. I don't think that LUGOSI'S Dracula would've let that happen! I wonder if that's why Lugosi didn't play Dracula). A new "twist" is added to the "killing a werewolf with a silver bullet" theme....it must be done by someone "who loves him enuff to do it". The Frankenstein monster is "wasted", too -- only coming to life in the last 10 mins. of the film. But, forget all it's shortcomings. Just sit back and enjoy Karloff's performance. (I like the bit where he tries to strangle the asylum guard for a piece of chalk!). An "odd little film". Norm

It's the "anything for a buck" mentality that still permeates the film industry today. So little imagination that to copy is the only way to go. Take all the monsters, played by different actors down on their luck, and throw them at the audience. Do a good job of promoting the film, with evocative posters and neat trailers, and hope the Saturday morning crowd shows up. There isn't much to this film. At the center is a hunchback who uses the little power he has to strike out at the world. The rest is predictable shtick as the entire bunch are let loose on the world. I agree with a previous commentator who said that this may have been a last hurrah for the whole genre; at least at Universal. Of course, it's fun to see how Hollywood makeup could do, but as for a plot and a story, the hype is better than the product.

Boris Karloff has a fine time playing the evil Dr. Niemann who escapes from prison with his hunchback assistant (J. Carrol Naish) and seeks revenge on those who sent him there. The plot involves three of the Universal monsters--Dracula (John Carradine), Frankenstein monster (Glenn Strange) and the Wolf Man (Lon Chaney, Jr.) It's all done in the usual atmospheric style with some impressive sets and photography. Good support from Anne Gwynne, Elena Verdugo and Lionel Atwill. Verdugo is a gypsy girl loved by the hunchback assistant, Naish, who plays his role extremely well. She, in turn, has a yen for the self-pitying Wolf Man. Despite the presence of three monsters, it is Boris Karloff who dominates the film from the start. As soon as he overtakes the director of a traveling chamber of horrors, the film gets off to a brisk start and never fails to entertain. A good entry in the horror cycle.

I grew up in the 60s, and my dad introduced me to the Universal Horror movies through TV reruns. Among the attractions: the mysterious atmosphere, the B&W photography, the convincing and committed performances, the occasional wit and humor. These films never fail to please me and put me in a good mood, and this one is one of my favorites. Lots of fun with the monsters, moods and music. Call me old-fashioned, but I'd rather watch just one of these old chestnuts than a year's worth of Freddies, Jasons, etc.

Mad scientist Boris Karloff escapes from prison with hunchbacked assistant Daniel (J. Carrol Naish). He plans revenge against the men who put him there and wants to revive the Frankenstein monster. Along the way they revive Dracula (John Carradine) and Lawrence Talbot (Lon Chaney Jr.) pops up as the Wolf Man. Silly but enjoyable all-star monster mash. Naish, Karloff, Carradine are all very good as is Elena Verdugo as a gypsy who falls in love with Talbot. Chaney Jr. just walks through his role. No great shakes (or scares) but there's tons of atmosphere, beautiful sets, pretty good special effects and it moves quickly. Worth seeing.