Classic Horror 

 

Son of Frankenstein (1939)

The son (Basil Rathbone) of the late Doctor Frankenstein returns to Bavaria with a fanatical desire to prove that his father was a great man.  That leads him to the still-living Monster (Boris Karloff), and grave-robbing Ygor (Bela Lugosi), who has more violent plans for the revived creature. 

German expressionism touched just about every genre of American film, particularly horror, and nowhere is it more evident than in Son of Frankenstein.  Surrounded by a post-apocalyptic wasteland, the castle is a surreal nightmare of oversized, barren  rooms, arches, a narrow twisted staircase, and a cavernous fireplace, all seen in high contrast lighting.

Boris Karloff again played The Monster, (as he had in Frankenstein (1931)and Bride of Frankenstein (1935)) but for the last time.  The multifaceted innocent savage is gone, to be replaced by a hulking zombie.  Between Bride of Frankenstein and Son of Frankenstein the creature lost his ability to talk, so important in the previous film.  It's unfortunate that the best part of the originals, the pathos in The Monster, is missing, but to make up for that, Bela Lugosi's Ygor has personality to spare.  It is Lugosi's best role.  Basil Rathbone, an actor whose voice alone made legendary, is excellent, as is Lionel Atwill.  The child is annoying but has little screen time.

It's best not to watch Son of Frankenstein too quickly after the first two; there are too many inconsistencies, such as the laboratory—now shaped like an observatory—sitting on the grounds of Castle Frankenstein, and Ygor being an assistant to the previous Dr. Frankenstein.

It was followed by Ghost of Frankenstein (1942), Frankenstein Meets The Wolf Man (1943) House of Frankenstein (1944), and House of Dracula (1945).

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