Bride of Frankenstein
copyright 1935
This is the original horror comedy, and the best of the Universal classic monster movies.

The movie begins where the first one left off, with Dr. Frankenstein and the Monster apparently dead.  But, from the burning mill comes the Monster.  He immediately kills a man and woman, the parents of the girl he drowned in the original.

He then wanders around the countryside, and actually saves a girl from drowning, but gets shot for his trouble.  The villagers are pissed he's still alive and resume their mob march.  Meanwhile, we learn Doc Frankenstein is also alive, and planning to get married to a chick who can't act very well.

As the story continues, the Monster meets an old blind man and has dinner with him.  The blind guy teaches the monster to talk, smoke and drink.  This scene is very funny, and is really the precursor to Mel Brooks' hilarious
Young Frankenstein.

The Monster ends up at a castle, where a mad scientist named Dr. Pretorius has been doing cool experiments involving tiny people.  The special effects here are great, it's hard to believe this was 1935.  Anywho, Pretorius kidnaps Frankenstein's wife and forces the Doc to help him make a mate for the Monster.

The movie is well acted and funny.   Dr. Pretorius is over the top and that's a good thing.  Karloff reprises the role of the Monster, and evokes sympathy from the audience.  The Bride is great in her few minutes of screen time.  I could've done without Minnie the old hag, but her character was parodied to full effect in
Young Frankenstein, so that's something.

4 out of 5.
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