This 1931 Universal film, a foundational work of Gothic horror, draws its narrative from Peggy Webling’s 1927 play instead of Mary Shelley's original novel. Individuals seeking adaptations that more closely adhere to the book might prefer Kenneth Branagh’s 1994 take featuring Robert De Niro as the creature or the 2004 film with Luke Goss in the role of the monster, which has a runtime approaching three hours. The essence of Shelley's tale is present here, and this movie established the archetype of the "mad" scientist accompanied by a hunchbacked helper. While I typically don’t care for black-and-white films, it proves effective in creating an atmosphere reminiscent of a Bavarian village from a bygone era. The director indicated that the story unfolds in an “alternate universe,” which accounts for the unusual blending of 1930s technology and fashion with elements from the early 1800s. Ultimately, this is a shortened but still recognizable version of the Frankenstein story—a Gothic horror tragedy distinguished by Boris Karloff’s memorable portrayal of the monster. The film's length is one hour and ten minutes, and filming occurred at Universal Studios along with locations around Los Angeles including Malibou Lake, Vasquez Rocks, and Pasadena. GRADE: B

Source on TMDB