Son of Frankenstein

Son of Frankenstein, a 1939 American film, is the third installment of Universal Studios' series of monster movies featuring the legendary yet terrifying creature Frankenstein, following "Frankenstein" (1931) and "Bride of Frankenstein" (1935). Unlike numerous sequels of the epoch, this film is not a simple rehash of prior tales but brings a brand-new, engaging, and potent storyline.

Boris Karloff, Basil Rathbone, and Bela Lugosi spearhead the cast. Boris Karloff reigns in his definitive role as the staggering and misunderstood monster, endowing nuances never before perceived. In contrast, Basil Rathbone stars as Baron Wolf von Frankenstein, the son of the notorious Henry Frankenstein, previously portrayed by Colin Clive. Bela Lugosi is featured in one of his strongest roles as Ygor, portraying a broken-necked blacksmith who survived a hanging for grave robbing and now truly embodies a creature of the night with his menacing appearances. Lionel Atwill also gives a memorable performance as the one-armed Inspector Krogh, whose arm was ripped out by the monster as a child.

Set in the sinister environs of Frankenstein village, the film introduces audiences to Baron Wolf von Frankenstein (Basil Rathbone), who inherits his family's estate with an aim to redeem his family’s name. He brings his wife and young son along. Apart from the family’s tragedy-struck historical past, they have to face the mistrust and apprehension of the local villagers who believe in the eerie myth attached to the Frankenstein household.

Even as he strives to uphold his father's scientific brilliance over his murderous follies, Wolf discovers his father's creature (Boris Karloff), grotesquely alive yet weakened in a coma in the castle's dilapidated laboratory. Fascinated by the idea of restoring the strength of the creation, Wolf teams up with the sinister Ygor (Bela Lugosi), and thus begins a macabre dance of death and torment.

Son of Frankenstein seamlessly weaves horror with a character-driven narrative. While the film capitalizes upon the iconic stature of Frankenstein’s creature, it skillfully reconstructs both the tale and its primary antagonist, offering viewers a multilayered and memorable piece of cinema. It maintains the dark aesthetics of its predecessors yet raises the bar high, venturing into deeper psychological terrains usually associated with later film noir.

The production values of Son of Frankenstein are commendable, highlighted by its sharp black and white cinematography. The film visually excels with inferior and bizarrely angled sets that seem to convey the twisted, unbidden truths of the Frankenstein family legacy. The lab full of eerie, peculiar equipment is an excellent showcase of Universal monster-era art direction.

In terms of performances, Rathbone is compelling as the man torn between his father's dastardly legacy and his quest for scientific triumph, while Lugosi is menacingly fascinating as Ygor. But it's Karloff as the merciless monster who steals the show. His portrayal of the pitiable yet horrendous creature breeds both terror and empathy in the audiences, encapsulating the tragic paradox at the heart of the Frankenstein mythos.

What sets Son of Frankenstein apart from the franchise and many other horror films of its time is its excellent script, meticulously adapted from Mary Shelley's novel. The narrative deviates from the conventional creature-feature paradigm while upholding the horror essence intrinsic to the Frankenstein lore. It cleverly combines the elements of science fiction and gothic horror, providing an insightful view of moral implications on scientific ethics and resurrection, and fleshing out each character fiercely and sympathetically.

Son of Frankenstein proves to be more than just a horror classic; it is a captivating exploration of human psychology and scientific ambition, imbued with timeless themes of revenge, remorse, and redemption. It's an essential watch for fans of classic horror movies, but its rich plot and captivating performances also make it a worthwhile experience for those who are generally not horror enthusiasts.