Son of Frankenstein Through a “Kid’s” Eye’s

Well, Anabelle has proven complete resistance to any black and white film that doesn’t feature tap dancing…

Or a “Floot.”
 
Therefore, Rosa and I watched the next Frankenstein classic while Anabelle was away at school. 

"Son" is the last one with Boris Karloff as the monster, 

 

On the Title:
Rosa- “Why does it say “Son of Frankenstein” he blew them both [him and the bride] up and they didn’t have children.”
Me- “No, ‘Frankenstein’ is the doctor’s name.”
*Basil Rathbone complains about people confusing the two*
Me- “I feel like I have fundamentally failed on some level.”
Rosa- “Then what is its name?”
Me- “He doesn’t really have one, just ‘the creature’ or ‘the monster.’ There’s been some versions where it’s the obvious, ‘Adam.’”
Rosa- “Why not something normal, like Jimmy.”
Me- “Not a lot of ‘Jimmy’s’ in Eastern Europe.”
  
On the appearance of Basil Rathbone, one of the greatest stars of the silver screen for several decades, and probably the best swordsman in Hollywood during that time:
Rosa- “Look at his mustache, it’s ridiculous. It’s just a line.”
 
On the mammoth door knockers on castle Frankenstein, and on not having Young Frankenstein built into part of her psyche since childhood like I have:
Rosa- “Those are humongous!”
Me- *falls off couch*
 
On benefits of black and white film:
Me- “For such crappy little sets the shadow work is really fantastic and adds so much.”
 
On the reveal of the mostly unmoving monster:
Rosa- “Oh oh. Is he dead? It’s been years.”
 
On Ygor spitting on everyone in the court because something was “stuck in his throat:”
Rosa- “Ew.”
 
On realizing where I heard young Peter Frankenstein before:
Me- “Holy crap! It’s Bambi!  Now Bambi Meets Frankenstein and Bambi Meets Godzilla are both real!”
 
On noting the monster's appearance when wearing the sleeveless fur vest, as Ygor is making comparisons that Wolf is the creature’s brother:
Rosa- “He doesn’t look like his father... 

He looks like a big burned toast.”
 
On the creature’s performance:
Me- “Karloff still better than anyone else, even in this movie where he’s in a coma most of time. Those scenes where he finds a mirror are full of emotion and pathos without saying a word.”  

Note- This wasn't out loud, but it's still an important realization.
 
On Inspector Krogh getting his fake arm ripped off by the monster, and proving that she really did get into the story:
Rosa- “Oh My God!!”
 
On the possibility that I exaggerated the previous statement:
Me- “I think this is the longest of the Universal monster movies and it’s only ninety minutes.”
Rosa- “YAAAAAAAY!!!!”

Universal Monsters Index