'The Bride of Frankenstein' is the first great movie sequel

Elsa Lanchaster and Boris Koloff meet ugly in 1935’s “The Bride of Frankenstein.” (Universal Pictures/MovieStillsDB.com)

"The Bride of Frankenstein"
Released April 22, 1935
Directed by James Whale
Where to Watch

Whether you have an undying passion for movies or just an enthusiasm for the medium, you should go down the rabbit hole of the classic Universal monster movies of the '30s and '40s. These movies were essentially the Marvel Cinematic Universe of its day, establishing each creature in their own series of films and then pitting them against each other in crossover movies. 

James Whale's original "Frankenstein" movie from 1931 adapts the novel's premise, not the plot, although there are some common elements. This version is actually based on an adapted play by Peggy Webling. Boris Karloff plays the Creature in the movie, inhabiting a look that defined the story for generations (as well as the cultural misconception of referring to the Creature as Frankenstein). Here brought to life by Colin Clive's Henry Frankenstein, Karloff's Creature is a lumbering giant with the mind of a toddler, with little understanding of his strength. The Creature is forced to go on the run. By the end, he's trapped in a burning mill by angry villagers. In "The Bride of Frankenstein," the sequel reveals how the Creature survived the fire and the devastating aftermath. Like the first movie, "Bride" shares some plot moments from the novel, but it tells an original story by and large.

"Bride" is one of the most acclaimed of Universal's series of early horror movies, which included "Dracula" (1931), "The Mummy" (1932), "The Invisible Man" (1933), "The Wolf Man" (1941), "The Phantom of the Opera" (1925 and 1943 versions), and "The Creature from the Black Lagoon" (1954), along with several sequels and spin-offs. This sequel manages to stand out from the rest because it happens to include all of the elements audiences loved about these black-and-white monster movies. 

Here are just a few reasons why "Bride of Frankenstein" is the one to watch.

1. The Creature is a sympathetic monster

Almost all of these iconic horror figures are the way they are because, at some point, they committed some act that transformed them. The Creature of "Frankenstein" was given no choice in his creation; he was brought into this world because of the will of an amoral, ambitious scientist, who then immediately discarded him like an abandoned child. While that origin is present in Shelley's original novel, the Creature evolves to a bitter creation declaring vengeance on his creator. Karloff's portrayal in the films blends menace and empathy, so while the audience is always aware of how dangerous the Creature can be, we're also rooting for the big guy, just a little bit.

2. It sets the standard for successful sequels by expanding the story of the original with an unexpected twist

When we think of the best sequels in movie history – "The Godfather Part II," "The Empire Strikes Back," "Aliens," and "Terminator 2: Judgment Day" come to mind immediately – they often deepened the protagonist's development by challenging them with a decision they would have considered unthinkable in the first movie. That structure was established in "Bride," as the Creature learns and becomes just intelligent enough to understand companionship and loneliness. The change in his desires and motivation transforms the Creature from antagonist to protagonist, and now the audience wants him to succeed over everyone else.

Midway through "Bride of Frankenstein," the Creature meets a blind old man who welcomes and treats him with kindness. Through this relationship, the Creature's intelligence begins to develop. He speaks, understands his wants and needs, and grasps how people relate to each other. It's the same dynamic James Cameron would employ to turn the T-800 from villain to hero in "Terminator 2: Judgement Day."

3. True horror is a metaphor

Some of our best horror stories involve a painful metaphor about society. The story of "Frankenstein" is about a man discovering the power to bestow life but avoiding the responsibility of caring for the being that was brought into the world. That theme continues in "Bride of Frankenstein" as we see Henry retreat into his family's spacious and vast castle, falling back on his wealth and privilege to recover from the first movie's events and plan his future with his fiance, Elizabeth. Meanwhile, the Creature has several tense and violent encounters with local villagers, who lack the security or resources to suitably protect themselves.

The actions of the affluent have unintentional but devastating consequences for ordinary people.

4. It's a meta movie

"Bride of Frankenstein" actually opens with Elsa Lanchester playing Mary Shelley, as the author socializes with Lord Byron and Percy Shelley about her "Frankenstein" novel. Mary tells the others that she has another story in mind with those characters and the movie transitions to the actual plot in the aftermath of the first movie. But it's not the last time Lanchester appears in the film.

The credits list the actress who plays the Bride with a question mark, leaving open the possibility that any one of the women we encounter throughout the story would soon be standing shoulder-to-shoulder with the Creature. But after Doctor Pretorious and his minions rob the grave of an unknown woman, the Bride is finally brought to life. The twist is she's played by Lanchester and metaphorically brings the author into a relationship with her most famous creation.

Despite being the picture's title, the Bride only appears at the very end of the movie. It's worth the wait, as, in just a few minutes, the character reinforces all of the film's themes that brought us to this place. With Lanchester dressed in a white gown and sporting a gravity-defying curly hairstyle with white streaks, she reacts to her new reality like a scared bird. As tragedy approaches, audiences were gifted with a momentous scene that would be remembered nearly a century later.

It's hard to spoil a movie that was made so long ago, but even knowing the ending, new viewers will find much to enjoy about "The Bride of Frankenstein." It's atmospheric and has a dark sense of humor that still works today. Whale keeps the story moving, keeping "Bride" at a tidy 75 minutes.

The New York Times called the sequel "a first-rate horror film" in its original review. Noted film reviewer and historian Leonard Maltin often says that "The Bride of Frankenstein" is one of the best movies you can show your kids to introduce them to the horror genre without scaring their socks off.

"(The) eye-filling sequel to 'Frankenstein' is even better, with rich vein of dry wit running through the chills," Maltin wrote. "Pastoral interlude with blind hermit and final, riotous creation scene are highlights of this truly classic movie."

In an era when notable franchises pump out so many new installments without any theme beyond making money, "The Bride of Frankenstein" remains one of the rare sequels that deepens and improves upon the original. Watch it with a friend … ideally, one who doesn't despise you on sight.

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