Frankenstein, 1931 Movie. Behind the Scenes

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Boris Karloff having a cigarette on break from filming.

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Hello! I'm Mr. Ed

Blog Created: 5-23-2025

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Frankenstein is a 1931 American Gothic pre-Code science fiction horror film directed by James Whale, produced by Carl Laemmle Jr., and adapted from a 1927 play by Peggy Webling, which in turn was based on Mary Shelley's 1818 novel Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus. The Webling play was adapted by John L. Balderston and the screenplay written by Francis Edward Faragoh and Garrett Fort, with uncredited contributions from Robert Florey and John Russell.

Frankenstein stars Colin Clive as Henry Frankenstein (Victor Frankenstein in the novel), an obsessed scientist who digs up corpses with his assistant in order to assemble a living being from body parts. The resulting creature, often known as Frankenstein's monster, is portrayed by Boris Karloff. The makeup for the monster was provided by Jack Pierce. Alongside Clive and Karloff, the film's cast also includes Mae Clarke, John Boles, Dwight Frye, and Edward Van Sloan.

Produced and distributed by Universal Pictures, the film was a commercial success upon release, and was generally well received by both critics and audiences. It spawned a number of sequels and spin-offs, and has had a significant impact on popular culture: the imagery of a maniacal "mad" scientist with a hunchbacked assistant and the film's depiction of Frankenstein's monster have since become iconic. In 1991, the United States Library of Congress selected Frankenstein for preservation in the National Film Registry as being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant".

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Karloff has a cup of coffee during a break from filming.

Jack Pierce was the makeup artist who created the appearance of Frankenstein. Boris Karloff remarked that Jack Pierce was the best makeup man in the business. Pierce was not easy to get along with but he and Karloff had a good friendship during their time on the movie. Pierce would go on to work with Karloff again on the film, The Mummy.

Boris Karloff in the makeup chair along with makeup Artist, Jack Pierce

Putting on the fake eye lids.

Karloff spent four hours in the makeup chair every day while Pierce did his magic.

Also, a bust was made of Karloff's head and face to help fit the makeup.

Jack Pierce brings Karloff out to unveil the makeup to the cast and crew.

In the end, Karloff was turned into the monster we all know.

On Break From Filming

Karloff pours a cup of coffee during a break.

A lot of coffee, tea and biscuits were consumed.

Karloff found it difficult to relax with the heavy costume.

The studio carpentry shop constructed a special rack that Karloff leaned against. This allowed him to take a break and relax a bit better.

Co-star, Colin Clive lights a cigarette for Boris Karloff during a break.

Karloff drank a lot of tea and coffee while filming Frankenstein.

Karloff on break with co-star, Colin Clive.

Another cigarette break with Clive and Karloff on the set.

A young Bela Lugosi Jr. poses with Karloff. Bela Lugosi brought his son to the set several times.

Karloff with Basil Rathbone.

Basil Rathbone, Boris Karloff and Bela Lugosi.

Marilyn Harris. The Little Girl at the Pond

Child actress, Marilyn Harris played the little girl at the pond who be-friended the monster but was killed by him soon after. Harris went on to star in other films and had a good career.