House of Frankenstein

Plot synopsis:
It's some 20 years after the Frankenstein monster and the wolfman met their demise in "Frankenstein Meets the Wolfman" (1943), but Dr Neimann [Boris Karloff] and his hunchback assistant Daniel [J Carroll Naish], currently locked in jail, still plan for a way to cure Daniel's deformity by Dr Frankenstein's operation. When lightning destroys the jail wall, they escape. They link up with Dr Lampini's traveling horror show, and Daniel kills Lampini [George Zucco] so that Neimann can take his place. They plan to head "towards those for whom I have UNloving memories."First stop is Regalberg where they revive Dracula [John Carradine], in the guise of Baron Latoes from Transylvania, who kills the Burgermeister who originally put Neimann in jail. Dracula is re-skeletonized by the morning sun as he attempts to crawl back into his coffin.Next, they head for the village of Frankenstein to search for Dr Frankenstein's records. Here, Daniel rescues and falls in love with gypsy girl Ilonka (Elena Verdugo]. They find the ice cave where the Frankenstein monster [Glenn Strange] and the wolfman [Lon Chaney, Jr] lie frozen, revive the wolfman, and enlist his help in return for a cure if he will help in transporting the monster to Neimann's old laboratory in Visaria.On the way to Visaria, Daniel and Neimann care for the monster while Larry Talbot [the wolfman] and Ilonka drive the wagon and fall in love, much to Daniel's dismay. They also kidnap two of Neimann's nemeses--Herr Ullman [Frank Reicher] and Herr Strauss [Michael Mark] -- because Neimann plans to give Ullman's brain to the monster, the monster's brain to Talbot, and the wolfman's brain to Strauss. Daniel begs for Talbot's body so he can have Ilonka, but Neimann says no. Daniel attempts to warn Ilonka about Talbot's wolfman side, but she refuses to believe him. To release his anger, Daniel whips the supposedly unconscious monster.The full moon rises that night, and Talbot changes to the wolfman. The next day he confesses to Ilonka. She vows to release him. That evening, Neimann finally gets down to business. He revives the monster but not soon enough. Talbot changes into the wolfman and attacks Ilonka who shoots him; they both die. Distraught, Daniel attacks Neimann, the monster kills Daniel, the villagers see the lights flickering in Neimann's laboratory windows and attack the monster, who carries Neimann's body into the swamp where they both get sucked into quicksand. [Original synopsis by bj_kuehl.]

Tags: revenge, gothic

Review:
In a move to re-generate interest in its fading horror series, Universal gives us Dracula, the Frankenstein monster, the Wolf Man, the Hunchback and the Mad Doctor all in the same film.
When a severe thunderstorm destroys the foundation of the prison he's housed in, Niemann manages an escape and attempts to locate the original diary of Dr. Frankenstein, running into Dracula, the Wolf Man, and the Frankenstein Monster along the way.
So the theory was if the public loved 2 monsters, let's toss five at them!!Strangely enough this works.The mad doctor Niemann(Boris Karloff) and his hunchback assistant are locked in prison.
They head to the town that vilified the mad doctor years before.Without giving too much away the doctor stumbles upon Dracula(John Carradine),Wolfman (Lon Chaney) & the Frankenstein Monster (Glenn Strange).They all figure into his plot of revenge against the men who sent him to prison.This movie has a wonderful sense of lunacy to it.Boris gives a fine performance as Niemann.Carradine gives his first portrayal of Dracula.
Once Nieman reaches the Frankenstein ruin,he resurrects Laurnece Talbot,and The Frankenstein Monster,to do more of his evil bidding...House of Frankenstein will never reach up to Whale's Frankenstein,or Bride of Frankenstein,Browing's Dracula,or Waggner's Wolf Man,but it is fun,and a good pop corn film.
Along the way they revive Dracula (John Carradine) and Lawrence Talbot (Lon Chaney Jr.) pops up as the Wolf Man. Silly but enjoyable all-star monster mash.
Later, Niemann and the hunchback encounter a gypsy caravan where Daniel falls in love with a beautiful gypsy girl: shades of Victor Hugo's "Hunchback of Notre Dame." She winds up traveling with them to Frankenstein's ruined castle, where they find Frankenstein's monster (Glenn Strange, his first appearance in this role) and the Wolf Man frozen in ice.
House of Frankenstein features Lon Chaney Jr. and John Carradine alongside the masterful Boris Karloff -- who is absolutely amazing for sheer presence alone -- as an enthusiastic, budding mad-scientist named Dr. Niemann who escapes from prison after a bolt of lightning inexplicably strikes the granite reformatory that he and his servant -- a hunchback assistant played by J.
Oh, and then Dracula dies like a wussy and his dull little role is over as if it never existed since it never helped move along or even remotely create a plot out of this revolving-door mishmash of monster cameos (read on).Though this is essentially a sequel to 1943's Frankenstein Meets The Wolfman, the title sort of refers to Neimann's aspiration to carry on Dr. Henry Frankenstein's work (speaking of which, the Monster doesn't appear until about 45 minutes into the film), though Neimann's objectives are never quite revealed to the viewer.
Besides getting to toss a hunchback through a window (and who doesn't enjoy doing just that every now and again), he descends - quite dramatically -- into quicksand and lies around comatose the rest of the time (how about a cross-promotion film with the Weekend At Bernie's franchise -- Bernie Does Vasaria?).As the famous Universal Studios monsters continued to parade out, I began to think of the marketing possibilities this film might have had if the whole state of affairs would have been placed in the here-and-now - playsets, lunch-boxes, limited-edition bobble-heads, House of Frankenstein-flavored fruit bars, Taco Bell Wolfman Burrito tie-ins, Dr. Neimann chemistry sets, etc.!
To exact his revenge, he calls upon the Frankenstein monster (played by Glenn Strange), Count Dracula (John Carradine), the Wolf Man (Lon Chaney Jr.), and a hunchback (J.
Dr. Gustav Newmann(Boris Karloff) is jailed for accusation as body snatcher.He breaks out and along the hunchback Daniel(J.Carroll Naish) take the ¨ chamber of horrors showside¨ of Professor Lampini(George Zucco) containing the skeleton of count Dracula(John Carradine).They are going to Frankestein's village and later they are returning to Vesaria.His aim is taking the experiments on life of death by Henry Frankestein found into archives of the castle.The doctor tries scientific experiments to cure various Universal monsters but results that their bad habits to emerge.The second half has them dealing with the werewolf called Larry Talbot(Lon Chaney) and monster Frankestein(Glen Strange in his first appearance as monster).Meanwhile the hunchback falls in love with a Zingara(Elena Verdugo) and developing a loving triangle with the werewolf,the beast marked for the pentagram.
Atmospheric,slick terror film ,creaky at times but it's still impressive.Fim displays excellent set design,ambitious screenplay with too many monsters and enjoyable and sensitive interpretation of all casting.Lon Chaney Jr's top notch acting in the role which made him a terror movie legend.J Carroll Naish is excellent as a hunchback similar to Igor.The movie is also called¨The Zingara and the monsters¨,as the title suggests,various of Universal's most famous monsters confront and fight among them .
Carrol Naish) manage to escape, and decide to find Dr. Frankenstein's diaries in order to learn from his discoveries.In his travel, they will find count Dracula (John Carradine), the Wolf Man (Lon Chaney Jr.) and Frankenstein's monster himself (Glenn Strange).
He was certainly more than his famous role of the monster in the first three Frankenstein movies.Lon Chaney Jr. continues in his classic role as the tormented Larry Talbot, and while both John Carradine and Glenn Strange receive very few screen time, their appearance is well received.The main problem of the movie is that with the exception of the Wolf Man and the Hunchback, the rest of the characters receives very little development.
The plot involves three of the Universal monsters--Dracula (John Carradine), Frankenstein monster (Glenn Strange) and the Wolf Man (Lon Chaney, Jr.) It's all done in the usual atmospheric style with some impressive sets and photography.
But fear not -- both turn in excellent performances all the same, with Glenn Strange proving himself to be such a great choice for Frankenstein that he would return again in "House of Dracula" and "Abbott & Costello Meet Frankenstein".J. Carrol Naish is also noteworthy as Niemann's hunchback assistant.
More conflicts arise when Ilonka shows more interest in Talbot than with Daniel, leading to his jealousy and madness.HOUSE OF FRANKENSTEIN repeats the formula used in the previous Monster feast, FRANKENSTEIN MEETS THE WOLF MAN (1943), in which the story brings together legendary monsters into one single film, this time combining the elements of Count Dracula, The Wolf Man and Frankenstein's Monster.
This is also the only known film in which Lawrence Talbot is referred to as The Wolf Man. Lionel Atwill, who previously appeared in earlier Frankenstein segments starting with THE SON (1939), returns once more, and again, in a different portrayal, this time as Inspector Arnz in the earlier portion involving Dracula.
Frankensteins monster(Glenn strange)the wolfman/Larry Talbot(Lon Chaney Jr)count Dracula(john carridine)a mad doctor(Boris Karloff)his evil hunchback assistant(j Carroll naish)all together for some mayhem.and revenge.oh and there's a professor lampini(George zucco)and his traveling house of horrors.and a very pretty girl(Anne Gwynne)who falls into Dracula's spell.this was the first time john carridine played Dracula,he did it very well.Boris Karloff who originally played Frankensteins monster in the first three,plays a very twisted mad doctor who wants to use the monster to get revenge on those who put him in prison.and Larry Talbot who still has the wolfman curse tries to get the doctors help.Glenn strange who is best remembered as the bartender on the 1960's western TV gunsmoke plays Frankensteins monster for the first time.its a good monster free for all,hail hail the gangs all here.
HOUSE OF FRANKENSTEIN boasts an interesting cast: Lon Chaney, Jr. does his thing as poor afflicted Wolf Man Talbot again, Boris Karloff gets hammy when discussing Dracula's powers to George Zucco, but is nonetheless enjoyable to watch, John Carradine, while no Bela Lugosi, portrayed Dracula well( he actually looked more like the Count as described in Bram Stoker's novel than Lugosi), Glenn Strange puts in his first appearance as Frankenstein's monster, and that fine actor Lionel Atwill should have been given more to do in his role as police inspector.
This film doesn't, and while it gets a little bit too camp at times and it doesn't always make perfect sense, House of Frankenstein manages to give equal credence to all of its big players, and the film features moments that allow the Monster, Dracula and The Wolf Man to shine.
This movie features the three most popular Universal Pictures classic monsters; Dracula, The Frankenstein Monster and The Wolf Man. Lon Chaney Jr. returns in his role as Lawrence Talbot/The Wolf Man This time the role of Dracula is played by John Carradine (indeed the father of..) and the role of the Frankenstein Monster is played by Glenn Strange.
In truth there's not really a whole movie here, it's more a skew-whiff anthology involving Dracula (John Carradine), the Wolf Man (Lon Chaney Jr) and Frankenstein's Monster (Glenn Strange), with Boris Karloff's mad scientist and J.
After a short encounter with Dracula via a travelling chamber of horrors side-show, the pair head off to the Frankenstein castle - with pretty gypsy girl and Larry Talbot/Wolf Man in tow - where hopes and dreams involve a lot of brain swapping.What transpires is a bit of violent jealousy and disappointments, building up to the monster smack down finale just as the villagers once again take unkindly to the presence of monsters in their midst.
Carroll Naish escaping from prison and insinuating themselves into George Zucco's traveling "Chamber of Horrors" show.This was John Carradine's first appearance as Count Dracula (who seems to have fallen on hard times, seeing how much he's shriveled from the time of SON OF Dracula [1943]) and he adds a welcome touch of theatricality to the brew, most evident in the scene where he demonstrates his hypnotic control over Anne Gwynne as well as his untimely demise - though one would be hard-pressed to believe the vampire would somehow bow down to Karloff, a mere mortal, and do his bidding!
If you like Lon Chaney Jr., Glen Strange, the classic Universal Monsters, great black and white movies, and horror films then I strongly recommend that you check out this film today!.
After Dracula is destroyed by the authorities, they later stumble upon the frozen bodies of both The Wolf Man(played by Lon Chaney Jr.) and the Frankenstein monster(played by Glenn Strange)Niemann promises Larry Talbot to help him with his curse, but is really only interested in the monster.
It's great to see Lon Chaney as the Wolfman one more time, and John Carradine provides a new feel for Count Dracula (though it would have been nice to see his segment incorporated into the rest of the story rather than as a separate segment).Try to forget the complications of today's overblown "horror" movies and return to a time when glorious black and white mists and well-defined characters were the order of the day!.
Niemann convinces the gang of monsters into helping him deal revenge against the men who put him in prison fifteen years ago.Lon Chaney Jr. is of course Larry Talbot, the Wolf Man. John Carradine tries his hand at being the Prince of Darkness and Glenn Strange plays the Frankenstein monster.
Wow this was pretty good,, you got Frankenstein, Dracula, the Hunchback,, the Mad Scientist, and of course the Wolf Man,, but what no mummy or the invisible man,, but anyways,, Lon Chaney Jr. is the Wolf Man,, Boris Karloff is NOT the monster,, he is ....the mad scientist, John Carradine get's to be Dracula,, hmm where was Bela Lugosi,,,, anyway , you get all of these monsters together and there's gonna be some trouble brewing somewhere, and there is,, all at the House of Ludwig Frankenstein,, the second son of the Baron.
The mad scientist and his assistant break out of prison in hopes of finding the Frankenstein lost notes, along the way they encounter Dracula,, and the Wolf Man,, the Frankenstein monster doens't show up till later in the movie , and he has one great scene at the end,, pretty good movie if you ask this horror fan..
Also joining them for the ride: Frankenstein's monster (Glenn Strange) and the wolf man (Lon Chaney Jr.), who are found frozen in a glacier ice cavern.From this point it gets even more daft, with Niemann and Co travelling to the doctor's old lab where he plans a series of brain swapping experiments.
On the other hand there's John Carradine as a not-very-convincing Dracula, Lon Chaney's increasingly tired hysterics as Larry Talbot / The Wolf Man, and Glenn Strange does little as the Frankenstein Monster except lie on a slab and finally get up and lumber around a bit.A big plus: `House' features another appearance of the incredibly durable Frankenstein lab equipment, which I always get a kick out of seeing.
In the second half of the film the doctor and hunchback come across Larry Talbot (Lon Chaney, Jr.) and the Frankenstein monster (Glenn Strange) and plan on an operation to cure both.
There's a mad scientist, his hunchbacked assistant, Gypsies, Dracula, the Wolf Man and, of course, Frankenstein's monster.The film marks Boris Karloff's return to the Frankenstein series after an absence from "The Ghost of Frankenstein" (1942) and "Frankenstein Meets the Wolf Man," but in the role of the mad scientist instead of the monster and, by this point at least, the doctor is the better part.
Astonishingly, Niemann and company happen upon the very place where The Frankenstein Monster (now played by Glenn Strange) and The Wolf Man (Lon Chaney Jr.) had battled to their apparent deaths, just one movie prior!
Consider all the great horror ingredients in HOUSE OF FRANKENSTEIN:Karloff, Chaney, Carradine, Atwill...Frankenstein's Monster, Wolf Man, Dracula...weird European locations, a gypsy girl, an eerie laboratory, a hunchbacked assistant, a burgomaster, and a cast of angry villagers with torches!What could go wrong?
Boris Karloff plays an escaped convict/scientist who, for reasons unexplained by the film, wants to switch the brains of the Frankenstein monster with the Wolf Man. Why?
When Dracula finds himself being chased by an angry mob, Niemann leaves him to his fate and then goes on to the next town and the next adventure, which finds him discovering the frozen bodies of the Wolf Man and Frankenstein's monster.So begins the movie proper and the characters' motives all come into play.
This was an excellent addition to the Universal line with John Carradine as Dracula, Chaney reprising his role as the Wolf Man, and Glenn Strange as the monster.
I can only assume that most movie-going audiences in the '40s were calling the monster by the F-name--so that may explain the title; a better hook to draw in the matinée audiences.After stewing in what must have been a very ancient dungeon--since the mere rumble of thunder sends the place crashing down--mad scientist Gustav Niemann (Boris Karloff) and his hunchback friend Daniel overtake a traveling chamber of horrors, with the show's main attraction being the preserved skeleton of Count Dracula--with stake still lodged between his skeletal remains.
"Frankenstein meets the Wolf Man" wasn't the most successful horror-effort, but still the good people at Universal Pictures decided to carry on with the concept of 'stewing' the different classic monster icons together in one film.
Dracula, terrifically portrayed by John Carradine, never has the pleasure of meeting Wolf Man Larry Talbot and the Frankenstein monster only briefly opens his eyes & mouth in the final moments of the film.
Karloff had strong affection for the part and he was too appreciative for all the Monster had done to make him famous.Karloff was even against the changes made to the character in the Bride Of...('35) and the Son Of...('39);so it's very understandable that he'd never actually play the Monster after the 1939 film.Boris Karloff could see that the role would degrade to merely a sidekick for other Universal monsters such as The Wolf Man and later Count Dracula in Abbott & Costello Meet Frankenstein(1948).As House Of Frankenstein begins,we discover that Karloff is Dr. Gustav Niemann who has long been imprisoned in the Neustadt Prison with a hunchbacked killer named Daniel played by J.Carrol Naish.Neimann is the epitome of a mad scientist(having once given a dog the brain of a man) with his ancient jail cell covered in chalk writings,drawings and mathematical equations while he speaks reverently of the late Baron Henry Frankenstein.Lightning strikes the old prison and destroys both the Dr.'s and Daniel's cells ...allowing them to escape together.After helping Professor Bruno Lampini(George Zucco) get his wagons unstuck from a rain drenched road,they murder him and his driver and take over the traveling show.
(Now played by John Carradine.) After Dracula dies taking out the first victim of Neimann's revenge, they defrost the Wolf Man (still played by Lon Chaney Jr.) and Frankenstein (Now played by Glenn Strange.) Some Mad Science shenanigans later, all the monsters are killed, although most of the name ones come back for the next movie in the film.I think this is a bit better than most of this series, for no other reason that Karloff breathes some life into his part..
Just go with Professor Lampini's (Zucco) explanation before he gets offed by Niemann and Daniel (Naish) - "...believe me my friends, this is no fake!" With this sixth entry in the Universal series, the Frankenstein mythos is put to rest unless you want to consider (as I do) one final stab at reuniting The Monster and Wolf Man in 1948's "Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein", this time with an assist from Bela Lugosi's Dracula.
Originally planned to have a whole gang of monsters, the final product includes Frankenstein, the Wolf Man, Dracula, a mad scientist and his hunchbacked assistant.
In fact, it's noteworthy for being a Frankenstein movie that features Karloff in a role other than the monster.He plays the dastardly Dr. Niemann, who escapes from jail with his hunchbacked associate, Daniel (J.
Carrol Naish as his pitiable hunchbacked assistant; Lon Chaney Jr. as the Wolf Man; John Carradine in his first of two appearances as Dracula for Universal Studios; and Glenn Strange as Frankenstein's Monster.