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Frankenstein - A Great Classic Horror

Today's movie was the 1931 version of Frankenstein starring Boris Karloff as the monster. AFI placed this one at number 87 on the list. Right from the very surreal opening credit sequence I knew this was going to be a chilling and haunting film. The movie opens on a funeral scene where the only sounds you hear are a bell ringing and people sobbing loudly. This was very haunting and set the mood perfectly.

The character of Fritz, Doctor Frankenstein's assistant, my favorite, was wonderfully portrayed by the late actor, Dwight Frye. Colin Clive gave a chilling performance as Henry Frankenstein. Then there was the monster himself. Monsters in today's movies are pretty scary, but usually due to visual effects. Frankenstein's monster is scary due to terrific acting on the part of Boris Karloff. His haunting howls, grunts, and screams sent chills up my spine.

A few scenes really stood out for me:
1) When Henry's former teacher Doctor Waldman begins a dissection of the monster who is just coming out of the effects of a sedative.
2) The little girl Maria shares her flowers with the monster.
The scene that got me the most though was what the villagers did to the monster. I won't say because I don't want to give the plot away, but I did almost need to run for the Kleenex box. Have one near you if you are the sensitive sort because you'll probaby need one.

Although the movie was very well made, I was slightly disappointed in the final scene. It was a bit anticlimactic in my opinion. My husband and I did not watch this one together, so thus far I can only give my thumbs up/thumbs down opinion. This one get a thumbs up from me for suspense and brilliant acting.

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