ALL SCI-FI

[Bud Brewster]

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Ralph Bates plays Baron Frankenstein as a man who isn't above murder, casual sex, and anything else he happens to feel like doing. He generous to his creation, providing him with lovely ladies from time to time.





The monster is played by David Prowse (the man wearing the Darth Vader outfit in "Star Wars"). Prowse also played the doctor's creation in "Frankenstein and the Monster from Hell", although he was considerably less recognizable (hairy and ape-like). This time Prowse looks almost complete normal from the next down, but the head makeup is pretty good.

But that drawn-on incision with the widely spaced lines that are supposed to stitches is surprisingly amateurish.



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Is there no man on Earth who has the wisdom and innocence of a child?
~ The Space Children (1958)

[Bud Brewster]

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This trailer definitely makes me want to watch the movie, and it demonstrated a few flaws in my post above.
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_____________ Horror of Frankenstein - trailer


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Is there no man on Earth who has the wisdom and innocence of a child?
~ The Space Children (1958)

[Bogmeister]

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_______________ Horror of Frankenstein 1970)


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With this, the 6th Hammer Frankenstein film, the film series went back to its roots, in a way.

It's kind of a remake of their own The Curse of Frankenstein, updated to fit the wry sensibilities of the late sixties/the seventies, self-aware of its own absurd presentation.

It also seems evident that Hammer intended to restart the series with a new, younger Frankenstein (Ralph Bates); this was the first one without Peter Cushing (the previous film was Frankenstein Must be Destroyed). This retells the story of how Frankenstein inherited his father's estate, went to the best university and then decided to go it on his own during summer break, eventually creating this film's version of the monster (David Prowse).



As the new Victor Frankenstein, Bates is snarky, sarcastic, and callous, with very dry line delivery; he's the sociopath we'd seen when Cushing was at his most abhorrent.

The tone, however, is that of a dark comedy. Bates alternates between bedding his maid (Kate O'Mara) and casually murdering various other characters who might make public his radical work. The operative word here, however, is "might."

One victim, his supposed friend, does threaten to reveal Frankenstein's secrets, but in other cases, Frankenstein seems to kill just for the hell of it. The first two-thirds of the film is interesting as we get to know this amoral young scientist who never seems to take anything seriously and always seems to operate on a lark.



The appearance of the monster takes everything a step back; the creature looks like what he really is, a bodybuilder with a lame skullcap which is supposed to suggest an extra-large cranium. We're left with an unconvincing monster, plunging the film into mediocrity for its final third.

Veronica Carlson as Elizabeth is rather wasted in a simpering role; she's beautiful but serves no function for the entire film. Most of the actors, especially Dennis Price as the ambitious graverobber, do well in their roles. Jon Finch (Frenzy) is in an early role as a classmate of Victor's who eventually becomes the local police chief.

BoG's Score: 7.5 out of 10

_ Brian Trenchard-Smith on The Horror Of Frankenstein


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BoG
Galaxy Overlord Galactus

[The Spike]

The Horror Of Frankenstein is out of Hammer Studios and directed by Jimmy Sangster. Based around the famous characters created by Mary Shelley, the screenplay is co-written by Sangster with Jeremy Burnham. It stars Ralph Bates, Kate O'Mara, Veronica Carlson, Dennis Price, Graham James & David Prowse.

After a dastardly deed sees him inherit the family estate, Victor Frankenstein continues with his anatomy experiments...

Originally released as part of a double bill with Scars Of Dracula, The Horror Of Frankenstein saw Hammer Studios take a different approach with the titular monster. Gone was Peter Cushing, who in a publicity shoot was seen "handing over the reins" to the next generation, and in came a more comedic and talky take that takes in the permissive society and the British Welfare State! Sangster's movie should be viewed as a comedy with horror elements, it's clear from the outset that the makers here have tongue firmly in cheek. What else can you derive from a film that has a dismembered hand flicking the V's? Or a casual observation that Kate O'Mara has gained weight in the breast department? I kid you not, and it is damn funny.

The most interesting thing about the film is the young Frankenstein himself, perfectly essayed as being a dandy egotist by Bates. He is in fact the villain of the piece. Here is a man who kills innocents with single minded glee, just so he can create life; deliciously bonkers really. The sexiness comes from O'Mara and Carlson who seem to have entered a "who has got the biggest cleavage contest", while Dennis Price of Ealing fame is wonderfully colourful as a grave robber happy to let his wife dig the graves! Yes it's a wacky movie alright. Even the monster, played by future Darth Vader David Prowse, seems to be in on the joke. Throw him a doggy chew and he'll do anything for you. I think the creature was more irked about having to wear a diaper more than anything else.

Sets and costuming are still of a high standard, but this is a different Hammer Frankenstein. Fun and even a little devilish in its writing, it's not, however, one for the scare purists. 6/10
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The quality of mercy is not strnen.