NARRATOR: “Welcome back to Reign of Terror 2019! 31 straight days of horror movie reviews and interviews. Today’s episode will feature our own Keith Lyons here at One Movie Punch, who will be reviewing 1939’s ‘Son of Frankenstein’.”
NARRATOR: “However, in lieu of running the One Movie Punch promo, we’ll be running a promo for our good friends at the Massive Late Fee Podcast. A promo will run before the review.”
NARRATOR: “But for now, let’s turn out attention back to the fate of our host, in Part Seven of “WORLD WITHOUT COLOR”.”
SCENE: Cemetery
NARRATOR: “Joseph walked back into the cemetery, where absolutely no threats were located since this wasn’t even supposed to work. It would only be a matter of time, of course, before more threats arrived, but he was taking this moment to reassess his surroundings.”
JOSEPH: “At least the flying saucer is gone.”
KEITH: “A little ‘Plan 9 from Outer Space’, eh? I love the cult classics.”
JOSEPH: “Keith! It’s good to see you!”
KEITH: “Well, what you can see, anyway!”
NARRATOR: “Keith Lyons was a spectral figure, much like his other team members had been earlier in the adventure. Obviously, this was also not supposed to be happening, which was clearly upsetting the narrator, if no one else.”
JOSEPH: “So, what do we do now?”
NARRATOR: “Indeed. What DO we do now, when the narrator doesn’t even know which direction the story is going anymore?"
KEITH: “Well, we’re waiting for a bus, actually.”
JOSEPH: “Oh, I guess that makes sense.”
KEITH: “Given everything else, I would hope so.”
NARRATOR: “Joseph began walking around the cemetery, looking for any other clues.”
KEITH: “Oh, I’ve already searched everywhere. I already collected all the loot.”
JOSEPH: “I know, but I figured... YIKES!!”
KEITH: “Oh, that. Don’t mind that.”
NARRATOR: “Laying on the ground next to an empty grave was the body of Keith Lyons, hand frozen pointing up towards what must have been his attacker.”
JOSEPH: “But...”
KEITH: “Well, how else would I be a ghost?”
JOSEPH: “Are you dead?”
KEITH: “Sort of. I mean, I am now, but I wasn’t when I first got here.”
JOSEPH: “Where is here?”
KEITH: “We’re still working that out, but...”
KEITH: “Uh oh.”
JOSEPH: “What?”
KEITH: “Uh, sounds like the guy who attacked me is back.”
JOSEPH: “That can’t be...”
NARRATOR: “But it was! Finally! Thank you! Frankenstein’s monster, guided by Ygor, turned towards Joseph, extending his hands out, and walking towards Joseph.”
JOSEPH: “We should run!”
KEITH: “Nah. Watch.”
NARRATOR: “He walked forward slowly. Very slowly. Comically slowly. What’s going on here?”
KEITH: “We’re not able to get you out quite yet, but we’ve figured out ways to hack the system.”
JOSEPH: “The system?”
NARRATOR: “The monster had now taken... a single step? That can’t be right. Someone needs to fix this.”
KEITH: “Yes. You’re trapped within a very realistic simulated environment.”
JOSEPH: “I guess that makes sense, when you say it like that.”
KEITH: “We need to get you out of this particular sandbox, and back into the colorized one. And then from there, a short run through a bunch of zombies and vampires, and then we should be able to zero in on your physical location.”
JOSEPH: “Did you say zombies and vampires?”
KEITH: “Yes. What massive horror crossover would be complete without them?”
NARRATOR: “Fixed that... I MEAN, Frankenstein’s Monster began to move at his normal pace, which was still slow, but not one step every minute, for crying out loud. Joseph and Keith looked back at the monster, but also heard a bus approaching.”
JOSEPH: “Guess this is where we part ways?”
KEITH: “Afraid so. Look, just keep in mind that while you can’t physically die within this simulation, you can be emotionally harmed. And since it’s been 26 days since you’ve been gone...”
JOSEPH: “26 Days?!”
KEITH: “...well, we’re not sure how much longer you can keep going. We’ve got two moles up ahead to explain why, once the bus ride is over. You should probably go.”
NARRATOR: “But there would be no hope for Joseph, as the monster had arrived, and reached down... freezing in mid-air?”
KEITH: “I won’t be able to hold it forever.”
JOSEPH: “Thanks, Keith!”
NARRATOR: “Joseph walked towards a heavily armored bus, boarding it, while the Monster continued to glitch. No one understood what was happening.”
KEITH: “That’s not true.”
NARRATOR: “Wait, you can hear me?”
KEITH: “Look, just because you muted narration for Joseph, doesn’t mean we can’t hear you. We’re closing in, by the way.”
NARRATOR: “Well, perhaps that’s the case, but will you find and save Joseph in time? Find out tomorrow in Part One of “THE FINAL STRETCH”, which will feature a classic movie review from Joseph of last year’s ‘Halloween’ reboot. Let’s hope Michael Myers can finish the job, shall we?”
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<< MASSIVE LATE FEE PROMO >>
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Hi, Philly Film Fan here with another review for One Movie Punch. You can follow me on Twitter @PhillyFilmFan. Today’s movie is “Son of Frankenstein”, the classic Universal horror film from 1939 directed by Rowland V. Lee and written by Wyllis Cooper based on characters created by Mary Shelley.
No spoilers.
In 1931, Universal Pictures created a sensation when it released two films starring relatively unknown actors: “Dracula” (1931) with Bela Lugosi in the titular role, and “Frankenstein” (1931) with Boris Karloff in the role of The Monster. It was the beginning of a decades-long era that saw the studio create some of the most memorable movie monsters audiences had ever seen, such as Karloff in “The Mummy” (1932), Claude Rains in “The Invisible Man” (1933), Lon Cheney Jr. in “The Wolf-Man” (1941), and a couple of random guys as the “Creature from the Black Lagoon” (1954). In 1935, Karloff returned to his signature role in “The Bride of Frankenstein”, one of the rare sequels that manages to improve on the original. In 1939, he would don the famous makeup (created by the legendary Jack Pierce) for the third and final time in “Son of Frankenstein”.
It’s easy to overlook “Son of Frankenstein” because it can’t help but be overshadowed by it two predecessors, both of which deserve to be on any list of the greatest horror films of all time. But “Son of Frankenstein” made important contributions to the Frankenstein mythology. This is the film that introduces Ygor, played by Universal’s other great horror star, Bela Lugosi. Also, this is the first film to feature a “Dr. Frankenstein”. The original Frankenstein dropped out of medical school and was referred to as “Herr Frankenstein” in the original and “Baron Frankenstein” in the sequel (after the presumed death of his father).
While the titular role of Dr. Frankenstein is played by Basil Rathbone and the iconic role of The Monster is played by Boris Karloff, the true star of this film is Bela Lugosi’s Ygor. Lugosi had a chip on his shoulder ever since turning down the role of The Monster in the original “Frankenstein” and clearing the way for Karloff to become a star. Karloff’s career would go on to surpass Lugosi’s own and it would be a source of bitterness for the rest of his life (see Tim Burton’s “Ed Wood” (1994) for more details). But in this film, Lugosi sweeps into Karloff’s signature franchise and manages to outshine his rival by delivering one of his greatest performances, and forever linking his Ygor to Frankenstein in the popular imagination.
While “Son of Frankenstein” may pale in comparison to the original “Frankenstein” and “Bride of Frankenstein”, it is still an important part of cinematic history that should not be overlooked. Also, anyone who is a fan of Mel Brooks’ “Young Frankenstein” is in for a pleasant surprise when they see Lionel Atwill’s portrayal of Inspector Krogh.
Rotten Tomatoes: 91%
Metacritic: NR
One Movie Punch: 7.5/10
“Son of Frankenstein” (1939) is approved by the Motion Picture Producers & Distributors of America. You can currently purchase ‘Frankenstein: Complete Legacy Collection’ for less than $20 online, which includes DVDs of “Frankenstein” (1931), ”The Bride of Frankenstein” (1935), ”Son of Frankenstein” (1939), ”The Ghost of Frankenstein” (1942), ”Frankenstein Meets the Wolf Man” (1943), ”House of Frankenstein” (1944), ”House of Dracula” (1945), AND ”Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein” (1948). What are you waiting for?!
This jawn was brought to you by Philly Film Fan. For more movie reviews, follow me on Twitter at PhillyFilmFan where I’m participating in the #365Movies challenge. That’s P-H-I-L-L-Y-F-I-L-M-F-A-N. Thanks for listening.
