Bride Of Frankenstein - James Whale 1935

Bride of Frankenstein fits in with the horror genre as it explores elements of supernatural beings. Although this is the case it also fits in with a number of sub-genres, comedy and science fiction. Various elements make it fit into the horror genre, first of all the monster is the prime example, second, the sets are generally dark and there is usually thunder and lightening echoing in the background.The elements of comedy come from when the monster is in the house with the old blind man, having a drink of wine and a smoke, it is also a bit ironic, as it should really happen.
The science fiction comes from the fact that there is an attempt to explore into the supernatural and re-create human life from the dead.



The film was produced by James Whale in 1935 who worked for universal. Back then they decided to give each film producing company/Franchise a certain genre to concentrate on and produce films for. Universal was given the task of producing horror movies for a number of years, hence the making of "Bride Of Frankenstein".

From a modern day viewpoint i think that the film was put together well considering the circumstances. The fact that universal had only one genre to concentrate on meant that it was therefore their only focus, meaning that the results should have been exactly as they should have been. The use of repeated sets, dark backdrops, thunder and lightening and the integration of the monster gives the film most of the necessary features that a horror film should have, although with a hint of sub-genre plotted in between.

Links to social and technological environments are present during the film. When the monster stumbles upon the house with the blind man playing the violin, this shows a link to a social environment, eating and drinking together the two build up a bond. During the creation of the monster, it shows links to a technological environment, the machinery used seems very modern for the times and ideas used are advanced. The camera work is very much distorted during the movie, lots of canted shots are used to give a feel of emotional unrest. Overhead shots are a common occurrence in the film, these help to set the scene and give an idea of the layout and where various things are in comparison to others.

In 1930 i think the audience would have enjoyed the film, the attempts to re-create human life would have interested the audience. The use of modern technology for that day would have also appealed to people. The fact that the producers had only one genre to concentrate on, would mean that people who were only interested in horror movies would have gone to watch. This would mean that anyone who watched it should enjoy it, because they chose to watch that specific genre over any other.

The benefit of genre to the audience is that it lets them know what to expect during the film. Although in this case it was a horror the sub-genres make it more viewable and flexible to the viewer. They would have been expecting the monster, thunder and dark sets, but then with the sub-plotted genres, it gives the viewer a rest from constant horror and may make them laugh or giggle.

The benefit of genre to the producers means that they can concentrate on one specific genre and use repeated sets. If they know what they want and what they have to produce less money can be spent on unneeded props etc. Also they can single out the main features that they need and make it to the best standard they can. Camera work can be specifically altered to give the working genre more of an effect, such as canting the camera to give emotional unrest or the effect that something is wrong, or high shots on a stand to set the scene.