Monster madness

The first 'talkie' Frankenstein has obviously dated somewhat, but this film still holds up remarkably well. For me some of the fun came from seeing how different the early version was, with Frankenstein himself coming over much more sympathetically, and in the end acting as the films hero rather than the villain. A little creaky around the edges, but the occasional production shortocmings (such as no lightning bolt strike shown for when the monster is first re-animated) are made up for by such stylish scenes as the man who carries the body of his drowned girl into the village festivities.