Thank you, Joe. Son of Frankenstein relaunched the universal horror of the 1940s. So think of no Wolf Man, no Mummy sequels, no Abbott and Costello meet the monster films and even the Creature from the Black Lagoon. Lugosi's greatest performance and great team of horror stars Karloff, Lugosi, Basil Rathbone and Lionel Atwill. Also, Lon Chaney, Jr. would not have trouble finding work for the next few years. During the making of this film, Boris Karloff's only daughter Sarah was born. Also, Claude Rains was to play the Basil Rathbone role in this film. Last, it was a triple bill of Frankenstein, Dracula, and Son of Kong that led to this film. Rowland v Lee also did Tower of London in 1939 with Rathbone and Karloff and future horror star Vincent Price.
A friend of the family worked at a rep movie house back when Young Frankenstein came out. Wisely they chose this movie as the first feature and it was my first time seeing both. Kenneth Mars hilarious work elevated by Atwill's.
I wonder if Dante is aware that Wyllis Cooper later wrote a story for his excellent radio drama Quiet Please inspired by his experience working on Son of Frankenstein called "Rain On New Years Eve."
I've always been a great fan of horror and sci-fi since I was a kid, and I've always liked this movie. I think the casting is perfect, Basil Rathbone gives the story some new freshness because of how familiar and animated he is. I agree that it's also Lugosi's best performance.
I wish more comment was made on how similar Young Frankenstein is to this film. If you take out the Bela Lugosi plot, It could almost be the same movie. Basil Rathbone little pencil mustache, combined with his son’s curly hair, And you have Gene Wilder.
That was deliberate on Wilder and Brooks' part. They purposefully modeled their movie after the old Universal films, and I'm sure "Son" was a direct inspiration. He is, after all, supposed to be the SON of the "Son of Frankenstein". But to be perfectly fair, he's here to talk about this movie, not the masterpiece it inspired.
Joe Dante, what a great filmmaker. He's made some of my all time favourite films with The Burbs being close to the top. Great video on another wonderful film.
Thanks for this, Joe...I always learn something from your TFH entries. Today I learned how unlikely we are to see an original trailer as it appeared at the time of a films release.
Excellent! Also -- narration! I'm still questing to figure out when trailer narration finally became common. btw, re: "last 'official' appearance...": If it helps in a confrontation over Karloff trivia, he's revealed to be the monster at the end of "Frankenstein 1970."
I'm surprised he's critical of Rathbone here, since I really love Rathbone's performance. I think he pulls it off better than Clive. I feel the pull between respectable gentleman and mad scientist much more in Rathbone's performance: he's convincing as someone trying to be good who becomes tempted and corrupted.
I know this movie has a great cast in Rathbone, Karloff, Lugosi and Atwill, and a glossy production, but somehow it just doesn't rate very high on my list of favorite Universal horrors. For one thing, at 99 minutes it seems longer than it is only to end rather abruptly. After such a strong turn as the Monster in BRIDE OF FRANKENSTEIN, Karloff is here demoted to Lugosi's mute henchman. And then there's the annoying Donnie Dunagan.
Thank you, Joe. Son of Frankenstein relaunched the universal horror of the 1940s. So think of no Wolf Man, no Mummy sequels, no Abbott and Costello meet the monster films and even the Creature from the Black Lagoon. Lugosi's greatest performance and great team of horror stars Karloff, Lugosi, Basil Rathbone and Lionel Atwill. Also, Lon Chaney, Jr. would not have trouble finding work for the next few years.
During the making of this film, Boris Karloff's only daughter Sarah was born. Also, Claude Rains was to play the Basil Rathbone role in this film. Last, it was a triple bill of Frankenstein, Dracula, and Son of Kong that led to this film. Rowland v Lee also did Tower of London in 1939 with Rathbone and Karloff and future horror star Vincent Price.
Happy to see this trailer exists.
This film is a masterpiece. I like it more than Bride of Frankenstein. All three Karloff films are excellent.
I have always thought SON was the best of the Frankenstein films from Universal!
A friend of the family worked at a rep movie house back when Young Frankenstein came out. Wisely they chose this movie as the first feature and it was my first time seeing both. Kenneth Mars hilarious work elevated by Atwill's.
The sets and art direction were amazing. Unexpected.
One of the title cards from the original 1935 BRIDE trailer shows up in the 1998 "Universal Horror" documentary.
This is my favorite of the Karloff Frankenstein films.
"MY FATHER'S WORK WAS *_DOO-DOO!!_*
Oh, wait; wrong movie.
It was his grandfather's work. Technically speaking, Frederick is the son of Wolf, the titular "Son of Frankenstein" in this movie. :-)
Outstanding! I have always loved this film but knew little of its history. Thanks for the info, Joe.
Jesse Levy me too🙂
Joe Dante, you've done it again!! Thanks!!!
I wonder if Dante is aware that Wyllis Cooper later wrote a story for his excellent radio drama Quiet Please inspired by his experience working on Son of Frankenstein called "Rain On New Years Eve."
Wow I'd like to hear it!
I had never heard of "New Universal" before seeing this trailer. I wonder how long after 1936 they kept that name.
I've always been a great fan of horror and sci-fi since I was a kid, and I've always liked this movie. I think the casting is perfect, Basil Rathbone gives the story some new freshness because of how familiar and animated he is. I agree that it's also Lugosi's best performance.
Donnie Dunagan's all too vocal performance drove me up the frickin' wall.
Welll Hellooooooo !!!!!
I wish more comment was made on how similar Young Frankenstein is to this film.
If you take out the Bela Lugosi plot, It could almost be the same movie. Basil Rathbone little pencil mustache, combined with his son’s curly hair, And you have Gene Wilder.
That was deliberate on Wilder and Brooks' part. They purposefully modeled their movie after the old Universal films, and I'm sure "Son" was a direct inspiration. He is, after all, supposed to be the SON of the "Son of Frankenstein".
But to be perfectly fair, he's here to talk about this movie, not the masterpiece it inspired.
Joe Dante, what a great filmmaker. He's made some of my all time favourite films with The Burbs being close to the top. Great video on another wonderful film.
This and Son Of Dracula are underrated
I agree 100%!
These TFH’s are few & far between, many thanks for this post Mr Dante!!!
Best Frankenstein ever and best cast for a film like this ever
Thanks for this, Joe...I always learn something from your TFH entries. Today I learned how unlikely we are to see an original trailer as it appeared at the time of a films release.
Excellent! Also -- narration! I'm still questing to figure out when trailer narration finally became common.
btw, re: "last 'official' appearance...":
If it helps in a confrontation over Karloff trivia, he's revealed to be the monster at the end of "Frankenstein 1970."
I'm surprised he's critical of Rathbone here, since I really love Rathbone's performance. I think he pulls it off better than Clive. I feel the pull between respectable gentleman and mad scientist much more in Rathbone's performance: he's convincing as someone trying to be good who becomes tempted and corrupted.
I have never seen this film but will have to now.
It's a great sequel the 1931 classic Frankenstein is the best one in my opinion ☻😇🤯📽📼
Basil was laughing during some scenes!
Please give this film .i love this ❤❤
0:47
I believe it was The Son of Kong not King Kong.
Joe Dante, yer the man!
Absolutely fascinating
Sherlock Holmes Meets Frankenstein.
Basil rathbone was my first action hero😅!@
This channel is a treasure trove. Huzzah!
Speaking of "Young Frankenstein..." (nudge, nudge... say no more.)
The picture quality is almost TOO sharp!
Great movie ☻📼📽
I know this movie has a great cast in Rathbone, Karloff, Lugosi and Atwill, and a glossy production, but somehow it just doesn't rate very high on my list of favorite Universal horrors. For one thing, at 99 minutes it seems longer than it is only to end rather abruptly. After such a strong turn as the Monster in BRIDE OF FRANKENSTEIN, Karloff is here demoted to Lugosi's mute henchman. And then there's the annoying Donnie Dunagan.