Review – Son of Frankenstein

Though not a revolutionary masterpiece like the Whale Frankensteins, this is an interesting picture nonetheless. Basil Rathbone stars as the latest member of the Frankenstein clan to revive the monster (once again played by Boris Karloff), this time at the behest of his father’s sidekick, Igor (Bela Lugosi). This time there’s no ambiguity in the monster’s character. Gone is the misunderstood, childlike creature whose greatest fault is a bad temper. Now he’s just the brutal henchman for the scheming hunchback. This makes him a little more menacing but a lot less interesting. Beyond that the visuals (particularly the set work) and an occasional bit of dark humor are the principal distinguishing characteristics of this episode. Mildly amusing