THE GHOST OF FRANKENSTEIN - underrated? in Universal Horrors Forum

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THE GHOST OF FRANKENSTEIN - underrated?

Author	Comment
Joe Karlosi	THE GHOST OF FRANKENSTEIN - underrated?	Lead	[-]
(01/16/09 5:57 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	I certainly think so. Though in recent years it has gained a lot of fans and supporters. I probably saw it least while growing up, so it benefits for me as being less played out than the other Frankenstein films. It's brisk, tight, features dark, stormy nights, crashing thunder and lightning -- It must have been a formidable task for Lon Chaney to take over the part for THE GHOST OF FRANKENSTEIN, but while he doesn't make as compassionate a monster as Karloff did, Lon does manage to endow the character with an awesome display of brute strength with his otherwise stone-faced performance. Special consideration must also be given to Hans J. Salter, who fashioned an excellent music score which perfectly compliments the impressive work of director Earl C. Kenton, who was able to take a gradually declining storyline and charge it up with some life. Last Edited By: Joe Karlosi 01/16/09 5:59 PM. Edited 1 time.
Ron Prescott		#1	[-]
(01/16/09 6:24 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	The problem with THE GHOST OF FRANKENSTEIN is that it rests in the shadow of SON OF FRANKENSTEIN, a film that is about 100 times better. I've tried hard to get into this film, but it just hasn't worked -- THE GHOST OF FRANKENSTEIN fails for me on just about every level. There's a slickness and polish to it, but that can't overcome the ridiculousness of the storyline and Lon's forgettable performance as the Monster (and I say that as a Lon, Jr. supporter!). There's a certain awkwardness that hangs over this film, and it just doesn't come to life for me. It pains me to have to criticize any Universal horror so sharply, but there it is. -------------- "Doesn't thinkin' like that give ya nightmares?"
Rakshasa		#2	[-]
(01/16/09 7:20 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Like Joe, I didn't see this one all that often as a kid, so it comes across as quite fresh to me now. While I do see it's flaws, The Ghost Of Frankenstein is somehow very watchable to me. It moves along quickly and has quite a few memorable scenes/images. It's one of those "I don't even think of it as the same monster as Frankenstein & Bride" for me. I know it's SUPPOSSED to be the same monster, but I think of it as it's own thing, somehow... Links To All The Classic Monster Stills I've Posted: http://monsterkidclassichorrorforum.yuku.com/topic/30758
Nightwing84		#3	[-]
(01/17/09 1:07 AM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	While I agree that Son of Frankenstein is a mighty fine movie, I remember being very let down that the Monster lost all the progress he made in BRIDE. I couldn't understand why he stopped talking. It seemed like a huge step back. He doesn't really seem to emote much until Ygor's supposed death. And for it's time, it is a very long movie. So I did always like GHOST as it was more quick paced---I was glad Ygor was alive---I thought Lon looked menacing as the Monster (although there was definitely hardly any emoting at all). But by this time, I had accepted that the Monster's progression had been reversed and he was now back to just a growling or moaning creature (altho Lon hardly makes a noise at all from what I can remember---till he starts talking in Ygor's voice). Yeah, it's a whacked out storyline---the Monster getting Ygor's brain---but it's an entertaining movie. I have no problems watching it over and over again !
LesDaniels		#4	[-]
(01/17/09 3:15 AM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	The Frankenstein films before GHOST demand to be taken seriously, and the monster rallies that follow it are a lot of fun. But GHOST falls between two stools, and I find it stiff, dull and unconvincing, just like Chaney's performance. Even Lugosi as Ygor is not as impressive as he was the last time; evidently the director made a difference. Atwill is fine, but the kid is terrible--she should take her stupid ball on a string and go home. And not even the monster shoould be dumb enough to want her cute little brain in his noggin; if that happens his personality will simply cease to exist--unless he expects to end up in Monster Heaven.
Joe Karlosi		#5	[-]
(01/17/09 5:43 AM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	And not even the monster shoould be dumb enough to want her cute little brain in his noggin; if that happens his personality will simply cease to exist I don't see how the monster - especially this one as played by Chaney - could realize this.
Chesterbelloc		#6	[-]
(01/17/09 11:37 AM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	I think William K. Everson said it best: THE GHOST OF FRANKENSTEIN is probably the least appreciated of the entire series. Too often dismissed because it isn't as good as the first three(and there's no denying that it isn't)...If the GHOST...is already an assembly line job, it's a good, thoroughly professional and highly entertaining one... CLASSICS OF THE HORROR FILM, quoted in Mank's IT'S ALIVE! pg. 101 I think GHOST is one of the most entertaining horror films of the 1940's. Check out my movie collection at: http://www.dvdaf.com/search.html?where=larryw7&init_form=where_0_larryw7*mode_more
TomWeaver999		#7	[-]
(01/17/09 12:32 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	I gotta vote to give GHOST a big thumbs-up also, for all the reasons already stated by the pro-GHOST faction, the camerawork (some imaginative set-ups here and there) and the gangs-all-here cast (Chaney, Lugosi, Ankers and Atwill for the horror crowd, Hardwicke and Bellamy to give it some class -- that's gotta be the best cast in the whole series). Also, I find SON kind of a meandering bore and dislike Rathbone in it -- both the character he plays (responsible for all the Monster's new murders but pays no price) and, in the second half, the way he plays it.
killer meteor		#8	[-]
(01/17/09 3:45 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	I think a better script would have helped; its got Curt Siodmak's typical slap-dash approach to it.
PShields79		#9	[-]
(01/17/09 7:34 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	I still want to know why, in Frankenstein's diary (I assume this is Colin Clive's Frankenstein), he refers to his creation as "The Monster" before it ever comes to life! Perry Shields Member, Torrance Theatre Company
bromstaker		#10	[-]
(01/18/09 9:54 AM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	I gotta disagree with Tom. Son of Frankenstein has Karloff, who, despite being reduced to Ygor's henchman, still invests the monster with more character than all who followed in the role. Then there's Lugosi who steals the film in arguably his greatest performance, and he's superior here than he was in Ghost. Atwill's Inspector Kreogh almost steals the film as well, and is his most memorable role in a Universal horror film. Lastly Rathbone has the unenviable task of being the late Colin Clive's mad doctor surrogate. He does get a bit over the top as the film progresses, but that's in keeping with the increasing tension (as well as trying not to let Atwill steal all their scenes). And I can't think of another actor that would have been right for that role.
Alias the Scarecrow		#11	[-]
(01/18/09 10:29 AM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	As this was the first Universal FRANKENSTEIN film I saw as a child, I will always have a great regard for this film..it may not be the classics that the original, BRIDE or SON are..but it has something..it's fast paced, has a lot of the Monster,(something which SON lacks) and a damn good cast..
professor liebstrum		#12	[-]
(01/19/09 8:57 AM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Watched this last night and it is better than I remembered, but still my least favourite of the series. Chaney looks impressive and he certainly appears to be wearing the remains of the fur vest when he comes out of the sulphur pit but he's as stiff as a board acting wise. Perhaps this was partly due to the director? Too many of the scenes are brightly lit and there isnt any atmosphere. Hard to believe the same guy did Island of Lost Souls. The little girl is also pretty unconvincing although i cant really blame a kid that age. Why does no body in the village comment that this giant lunatic they've captured has metal thingummys sticking out of his neck and a square head held together with a lot of clamps? I thought I spotted Egon Brecher, Bela's servant from The Black Cat playing one of the villagers. The guy that Cloestine's father talks to, just before the villagers invade Frankenstein's House, No? He's not credited but then Cloestine's Father isnt either and he has quite a big role.
thebrainfollower		#13	[-]
(01/19/09 9:31 AM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	I saw this one in the fall of 1993 on the Sci-Fi channel, the first of many classics that channel (Back when it was good) introduced me to. And I love it, it's one of my favorite Universal horror films of the 1940's. The real problem (As outlined in a prior thread, my first on this board two and a half years ago) is that Chaney chooses (or was directed) to play the monster as a robot. There's not a hint of personality in virtually everything he does despite the many opportunities in the script. I'm of the opinion that Karloff was getting a bit too old for the part, but something should have been done here. And it's certainly better paced than Son, but I love that one too!
Wich2		#14	[-]
(01/19/09 10:21 AM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	"Too many of the scenes are brightly lit and there isnt any atmosphere" "Chaney ('s)... monster... not a hint of personality in virtually everything he does" Double-bingo. It's the first real downward slide from, "these are Mystery Features for adults," to, "these are Adventure Serials for kids." Last Edited By: Wich2 01/19/09 10:24 AM. Edited 1 times.
Mil Mascaras		#15	[-]
(01/19/09 2:33 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	I haven't seen GHOST in a long, long time and I'm going to have to do that soon. Regarding The Monster's regression from his improving state in BRIDE, wasn't it stated in SON that the when Wolf is introduced to the Monster, who lies in a semi-coma, his condition is a result of being hit by lightning? Getting hit by a lightning strike, if it doesn't kill you, can leave you with a myriad of problems such as brain damage, spinal cord injuries, memory disorders - the list goes on. I've always looked as this event as the cause of the Monsters stiffness and loss of speech in the movies that followed. "Ahh - but he had Ygor's brain in the next movie" you say - so he should have been able to speak. Though rare, breathing problems that arise from a spinal injury sometimes cause problems with speech. Anyway, that's my story and I'm stickin' to it. This also enables me to enjoy watching these movies without pointing at the screen and saying "Hey, who are they trying to kid, that doesn't jive with the last movie!"
professor liebstrum		#16	[-]
(01/19/09 3:10 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Regarding The Monster's regression from his improving state in BRIDE, wasn't it stated in SON that the when Wolf is introduced to the Monster, who lies in a semi-coma, his condition is a result of being hit by lightning? Getting hit by a lightning strike, if it doesn't kill you, can leave you with a myriad of problems such as brain damage, spinal cord injuries, memory disorders - the list goes on. I've always looked as this event as the cause of the Monsters stiffness and loss of speech in the movies that followed. Serves him right then. He got hit by lightning between BOF and SOF which put him in a coma. Having got most of his faculties back by the end of Son he goes out at the beginning of Ghost and encourages another lightning hit. Some people never learn.
tonyrivers		#17	[-]
(01/19/09 4:09 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	The director most likely had a say in how Chaney portrayed the Monster in GHOST. Chaney had played sympathetic characters in OF MICE AND MEN, MAN MADE MONSTER and THE WOLF MAN so he could have easily made the Monster be more sympathetic given the chance. The Monster really started being more of a "killing machine" in SON which is one reason Karloff decided to stop playing the character. The Monster in GHOST seemed to be more in line with how he was written in SON. There seemed to be less humanity in him with each movie in the series. In both SON and GHOST he was more Ygor's henchman than his own character. By the HOUSE movies Universal didn't have any idea how to use him other than as a rampaging Monster at the end of the movies. Hammer Films wisely used Victor Frankenstein as the continuing character throughout their series.
lencandraw		#18	[-]
(01/19/09 6:20 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Bromstaker says a lot of what I agree with. IMHO, GHOST is a pretty decent film, and the production values are pretty damn good (but I can say that about a LOT of Universal films), but overall it rates below all but HOUSE OF DRACULA in the series. Which, I think, doesn't say a ton, since the series as a whole was pretty decent at worst! The overwhelming final assessment that I can come up with from all I've read (including the posts here) is that it is a good film, yet not a great one, which is about where I stand on it. I watch it on occasion, which means it has enough of my interest to make me want to see it multiple times.
bromstaker		#19	[-]
(01/19/09 8:00 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	The Monster actually became both a killing machine and a henchman in Bride of Frankenstein. He offed a lot of folks in that movie. And none of those killings were in self-defence. The 2 people at the windmill ruins. The man, woman and young girl during his village rampage. And Karl. That's 6 that I can think of. He wasn't just some poor, misunderstood wretch. He was a poor, misunderstood wretch with a brain given to violent tendencies packaged in a huge body possessed of superhuman strength. And he was used by Praetorius as a pawn/henchman. Granted in the 40's films the Monster displays less character and becomes more robotic, but after suffering the traumas of an explosion, fire, flood, and 'par-boiling' in sulpher it's little wonder there's some reduced brain function!
ShockDoc		#20	[-]
(01/19/09 9:25 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	I like it for its clumsy, but entertaining factor. I see Chaney's monster as Karloff's retarded brother. And that bit on the arch where Lon (holding the kid AND the baloon) does that slow motin punch that fails to connect to it's target is hilarious, even tho in the realart trailer they use a different take and he connects solidly.

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THE GHOST OF FRANKENSTEIN - underrated?

THE GHOST OF FRANKENSTEIN - underrated?