Happy 90th Birthday to the ‘Bride of Frankenstein’
90 years ago on April 20, 1935, Universal Pictures introduced the public to one of the most recognizable Universal Monsters of all time, The Bride of Frankenstein. Adapted from Mary Shelley’s classic novel, the sequel features Boris Karloff reprising his role as the silver screen’s most misunderstood monster who now longs for a mate starring Elsa Lanchester in the titular role.
The History of Bride of Frankenstein
Universal began planning a sequel to Frankenstein soon after its 1931 release, revising the film’s ending to allow Henry Frankenstein to survive. Although James Whale initially refused to return as director, he eventually agreed after negotiating to direct another film and decided to approach Bride of Frankenstein with dark humor rather than replicate the original’s horror tone. Multiple writers worked on early drafts, including Robert Florey and Tom Reed, but the final script, developed by William J. Hurlbut, incorporated the Monster’s demand for a mate—a plot point from Mary Shelley’s novel—and featured a unique prologue where Mary Shelley tells the story, also played by Elsa Lanchester.
Makeup artist Jack Pierce redesigned the Monster’s look to show the aftermath of the windmill fire and collaborated with Whale to create the Bride’s now-iconic Nefertiti-inspired hairstyle. Special effects reused and expanded on the original film’s elaborate lab equipment, with innovative miniature work for scenes involving tiny humanoid creations. Composer Franz Waxman scored the film with three distinct themes and a jarring final chord to match the explosive ending, completing the recording in a single session.
Filming began in January 1935, but production ran over time and budget due to cast injuries and delays. The original ending, in which Henry dies, was re-shot to let him live, and Whale completed his final cut just days before the premiere.
The Legacy of Bride of Frankenstein
Bride of Frankenstein premiered on April 19, 1935, in San Francisco and went into general release the following day. The film was a success for Universal, eventually earning around $2 million by 1943—roughly $36.3 million today—with a profit of nearly $950,000. Variety and Time offered high praise, lauding the film’s direction, performances, and technical achievements. Karloff’s emotional performance as the Monster, Thesiger’s diabolical Pretorius, and Lanchester’s dual role as Mary Shelley and the Bride were singled out for acclaim. The film was nominated for an Academy Award for Sound Recording and was widely appreciated for its macabre tone, strong visual style, and Whale’s unique direction.
Over the decades, the film’s reputation has only grown. In 1998, it was inducted into the U.S. National Film Registry for its cultural, historical, and aesthetic significance. Critics often identify it as James Whale’s masterpiece and one of the greatest gothic horror films ever made. It has received high praise from modern outlets such as Time, Empire, and Entertainment Weekly, and was included in Time’s “All-Time 100 Movies.” Roger Ebert added it to his “Great Movies” list, highlighting its subversive themes and the Bride’s iconic appearance. The film is now often regarded as a rare sequel that surpasses its original, celebrated for its artistry, emotional depth, and lasting impact on cinema.
Dark Universeat Universal Epic Universe
On May 22, Universal – the pioneer of the horror genre – will bring its timeless monsters to the present day with the debut of Dark Universe – one of the five immersive worlds featured at the all-new Universal Epic Universe. The most mysterious world of Universal Orlando’s newest theme park, this captivating new land will envelop guests in monstrous adventures across various attractions, shops, restaurants and character meet and greets that will thrill everyone from families to classic Monster fans alike.
Created by the award-winning Universal Creative team in partnership with Universal Pictures, Dark Universe blends the iconic stories of unearthly legends like Dracula, The Wolf Man, Frankenstein’s Monster, the Bride of Frankenstein and more with a new generation of monsters and characters, including Dr. Victoria Frankenstein – the great-great-granddaughter of the infamous Henry Frankenstein who has continued his misguided experiments. As guests venture through Darkmoor – the ravaged village within Dark Universe – they’ll encounter the characters and subjects of those experiments within a first-of-its-kind theme park environment that offers family-friendly fun while also pushing the boundaries on intensity in a way that only Universal could achieve.
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(Source and Images: NBC Universal)
Posted by Richard Webster, Ace News Today
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