Frankenstein (1931 film)

Frankenstein is a 1931 horror film from Universal Pictures loosely based on the novel Frankenstein by Mary Shelley. The film tells the story of a scientist named Dr. Henry Frankenstein, whose work takes him into the dark side of life after death. It stars Colin Clive as Henry, as well as horror-film regulars Dwight Frye (as the dwarf Fritz), Edward van Sloan (as Dr. Waldman), and Boris Karloff as the monster Henry creates. The film also stars Mae Clarke as Henry's fiancee Elizabeth, and John Boles as Henry's best friend Victor Moritz.

Differences between the film and its source

In the original novel, the monster's creator is named Victor Frankenstein and his best friend's name is Henry Clerval. A woman named Justine Moritz works for the Frankenstein family. In the film, the monster's creator is named Henry Frankenstein, and his friend is Victor Moritz.

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Whereas in Mary Shelley's novel, the creature's savage behavior is seen as the result or maltreatment and neglect, the film adaptation explains it is a consequence of Henry's installing a defective brain in the carcass. This of course evacuates from the story much of its powerful social criticism and depiction of developing consciousness.

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