“We belong dead!” Saluting the 1935 ‘Bride of Frankenstein’
The 1935 Universal Monsters classic could be the greatest monster movie ever made
“It’s better than the first movie,” notes filmmaker Quentin Tarantino. “If I have to choose between watching Frankenstein or The Bride of Frankenstein, I’ll always choose Bride of Frankenstein.”
The 1935 Universal Monsters movie Bride of Frankenstein is the first sequel to Universal Pictures’ 1931 movie Frankenstein. Both movies were directed by James Whale, and starred Boris Karloff as the Monster and Colin Clive as Dr. Frankenstein.
The sequel also starred Elsa Lanchester in two roles:
as Mary Shelley, the real-life author of the original 1818 novel Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus;
and as the movie’s title monster from Bride of Frankenstein.
(Actually, the title of the movie actually refers to two women: In addition to the monster woman, there is also the woman that Dr. Frankenstein marries. So the phrase “Bride of Frankenstein” can also refer to the actual human woman who marries the man actually named “Frankenstein.” Just saying.)
(Also—while we’re on the topic—calling the Monster also “Frankenstein” is not necessarily the wrong thing to do. After all, it is a family name. And, even though he was man-made, it would be reasonable to consider him as a member of the family.)
Anyway, the cast also included Ernest Thesiger (as Doctor Septimus Pretorius), Oliver Peters Heggie (as the blind hermit), and Dwight Frye (as a henchman). The extended cast included John Carradine in an uncredited role (but the actor would show up in more Universal Monsters movies).
The movie Bride of Frankenstein kicks off soon after what happened in the previous Frankenstein movie. Henry Frankenstein is now hoping to leave behind his plans to create life. However, he is soon pressured by an old mentor, Dr. Pretorius. The Monster is also now threatening him into making him a companion.
“It’s one of the great American films,” notes Christopher Bram, author of Father of Frankenstein. “Right up there with Citizen Kane and Sunset Boulevard. And it’s usually discussed as, ‘Oh, just a horror movie,’ but it’s much more complex.”
The legacy of Universal Monsters
Now, the Universal Monsters library includes classics monsters like Dracula, Invisible Man, Wolf Man, and The Mummy. Since their introduction in those classic monster movies in the 1930s-1940s, they’ve become major figures in pop culture—raising the popularity of the original novels, as well as leading to more books, movies, TV shows, comic books, toys, games, and more.
But in the years since its release, Bride of Frankenstein has been lauded as one of the all-time best movies in the whole Universal Monsters library. It is also called one of the best movie sequels ever.
(Some of that praise comes because, as the pair of Frankenstein and Bride of Frankenstein are both early movies in the sound era, we can actually see and hear some improvements over the filmmaking process. For example, the original movie only has bits and pieces of music—but the sequel includes a wonderful musical score from Franz Waxman.)
In 1998, the movie Bride of Frankenstein was selected by the Library of Congress for preservation in the National Film Registry. The movie was praised for being “culturally, historically or aesthetically significant.”
Related: Complete List of Universal Monsters Movies (1923-1960)
Go behind-the-scenes with Bride of Frankenstein
In the videos below, find out more about Bride of Frankenstein with some worthy clips, commentary, and behind-the-scenes details. This includes comments from Quentin Tarantino, Bill Hader, Antonia Carlotta of Universally Me, Dan Monroe of Movies, Music & Monsters, and more.
And one video shows the final moment of the movie. Apologies if I’m spoiling it for you, but this ending is like one of my favorite movie moments ever. (If you’re only now seeing it for the first time, you’re about to find out where we got the title for this article.)
#1 The Bride of Frankenstein (1935) Official Trailer | Classic Monsters
The official trailer to James Whale’s 1935 classic horror sequel The Bride of Frankenstein (1935).
#2 “We Belong Dead” (Final Scene) | The Bride of Frankenstein (1935)
The final heartbreaking words from the Frankenstein’s Monster to his bride.
#3 Bride of Frankenstein: The Secret to Immortality | Universally Me
The Bride of Frankenstein is one of Hollywood’s most recognizable figures. Why is she so memorable, despite barely appearing in her own movie? Go behind the scenes with Antonia Carlotta, hostess of Universally Me. (Her family started Universal Studios.) Find out more about her video series at Patreon.com/cw/AntoniaCarlotta.
#4 The Real Bride of Frankenstein: How Elsa Lanchester Broke Every Rule | Universally Me
On screen for less than five minutes, Elsa Lanchester became one of the most iconic figures in horror history! But she was so much more than The Bride of Frankenstein. From her radical upbringing in bohemian London to her bold, eccentric Hollywood career, Elsa built a life and legacy completely on her own terms. Find out more about her video series at Patreon.com/cw/AntoniaCarlotta.
#5 Bill Hader on Bride of Frankenstein | James Whale Bake Sale
On Turner Classic Movies, actor Bill Hader reacted to James Whale’s 1935 classic Bride of Frankenstein, starring Boris Karloff.
#6 Quentin Tarantino on Bride of Frankenstein | James Whale Bake Sale
On Eli Roth’s History of Horror, Quentin Tarantino remarks on James Whale’s 1935 masterpiece Bride of Frankenstein.
#7 Whatever Happened to BRIDE of FRANKENSTEIN? | Movies, Music & Monsters
“So, what ever happened to what some people consider the absolute greatest classic Universal monster horror film ever made, 1935’s The Bride of Frankenstein?”
#8 “She’s Alive! Creating The Bride of Frankenstein (1935)” Behind the Scenes | Bonus Features
A documentary from the DVD bonus materials exploring the making of James Whale’s 1935 horror classic The Bride of Frankenstein. Through interviews with film historians, archival materials, and behind-the-scenes insights, the documentary highlights the film’s innovative special effects, gothic design, and enduring influence on horror cinema.
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