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James Whale's Frankenstein

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If one were to hear the quote, “It’s alive! It’s alive!”, they would instantly know where it comes from. This is entirely due to James Whale’s Frankenstein released in 1931 by Universal Films and based off the book written by Mary Shelly, that was published anonymously in 1818. The Frankenstein movie is still influential today because it helped set the stage for all horror films to come after. The prominent director James Whale created a timeless classic by utilizing the outstanding make-up artist Jack P. Pierce, and well-known cast. This film was set for success and would be the one to beat for years to come. At the time Frankenstein was released, James Whale was 42 years old. Although this marked the start of his career in the United States, …show more content…

The horror movie was set in Europe using the German expressionism visual style. In the first scene, a butler comes on stage to warn the audience of the gruesome events they are about to witness. As Frankenstein is creating his monster, he orders his assistant, Fritz, to go to Goldstadt Medical College and steal a brain. Frits breaks in to professor Waldman’s classroom and, after breaking a jar containing a perfectly normal brain, steals a jar containing the brain of a criminal. Once Frankenstein and Fritz have their monster pieced together, they plan to use the electricity of a powerful lightning storm to give him life. In the presence of Henry’s friends: Victor, Elizabeth, and Professor Waldman, Henry brought his monster to life in the memorable scene where he exclaims, “It’s alive! It’s alive!” (The movie Frankenstein 1931). After a quarrel where the monster kills Fritz, “Henry and Waldman sedate the monster just as the Baron approaches the lab. The exhausted Henry is taken home after Waldman promises to destroy the monster, but instead Waldman is killed by the escaping monster” (Overview). Henry is not made aware of this until the day of his wedding with Elizabeth. After the monster escapes, he continues to Henry’s hometown and ends up killing a little girl named Maria, after playing a game with her, in …show more content…

Jack P. Pierce was hired as the make-up artist along with Pauline Eells as the wig maker (Full Cast and Crew). Together they created the unforgettable monster that is recreated in movies today. The monster does not resemble Marry Shelly’s description though, “It was make-up artist Jack P. Pierce who came up with innovations such as the Monster's flat head, the bolts through the neck, the droopy eyelids, and the poorly-fitted suit. Any future Frankenstein film that features any of these physical abnormalities is taking its inspiration from Pierce's make-up work” (Trivia). Pierce devoted months of his time to create this exceptional monster. While in the planning stages, “(Pierce) studied anatomy, surgery, medicine, criminal history, criminology, burial customs and electrodynamics, before he even began the grueling daily 5-hour make-up application (followed by two hours of make-up removal) to create Frankenstein” (Feaster). Not only did Jack devote his time, but Boris Karloff, who played the monster, did as well. Due to his 30 pound boots that accounted for his wobbling walk, and having to carry Dr. Frankenstein, he lost 20 pounds and had to be hospitalized for back problems. Every one of these important factors played a role in creating the noteworthy monster of

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