Do you prefer Boris Karloff Frankenstein's Monster or Glenn Strange?
As much as I love the Karloff/ Jack Pierce make up, I think for me the definitive version of Universal Monster Frankenstein is Glenn Strange. Thoughts?
I'm a Karloff guy, through and through. I enjoy the Strange movies well enough, but I've always been drawn to Karloff more. My first real experience with the Monster was from the Crestwood Monster series books that my elementary school library had. It had a bunch of pictures of the various Frankenstein's Monster portrayals, but the Karloff one always looked the coolest to me.
Glenn definitely had the 'unstoppable force' thing going for him because of his size and better health than Karloff, but Karloff's monster was actually allowed to have personality.
I love the part in Abbott and Costello where Strange legitimately hefts a grown woman over his head and throws her out a window that's a solid 7 feet off the ground. It's a terrific feat of strength and he does it like it's nothing. It's a shame he wrecked his ankle while performing that stunt.
Hard to pick but growing up in the 50s and 60s Strange image of the monster was pretty much on everything for sale on Frankenstein. I believe the NY Times showed Strange's image of the monster when Karloff died. Strange wins it for me. Many people will say Strange didn't do much until ACMF but blame the scripts for that, he didn't get a chance to do anything.
I view Frankenstein through the same lens as The Hulk. Early origins created the unique look for the character, but as both grew in size and power levels....someone else took over the reins, and added their unique stamp. Kirby's Hulk was magnificent, but the character was built upon by the likes of Trimpe and Buscema. Presently by Joe Bennett. So Karloff represents the classic origins look for the monster, but Strange took that and made his own look. One which many monster kids identify with.
That being said: Karloff is always King though as far as acting. Strange's Monster was primarily aesthetic, as the monster was reduced to a breathing prop in his flicks. His face made him memorable as the monster. Acting though? Karloff made you scared in the first one (of the unknown), he made you cry in the second one, and when the third one rolled around, in the scene with Peter's picture book...he showed us the inner workings of the monster's criminal brain in action. Without so much as uttering a word. Each had something to offer. Karloff originated the role and was a better actor.
Quote from: Lazarus on October 15, 2020, 10:48:44 AM
I love the part . . where Strange legitimately hefts a grown woman over his head and throws her out a window that's a solid 7 feet off the ground.
Well, semi legit, since Aubert (and a stunt woman) were hanging from wires.
My first Frankenstein monster was Karloff. That means he will always be the Original - kinda like the first version you hear of a song.
Strange was the best-looking monster. But, like a later, better version of a song, he tends to occupy a secondary place in my heart.
Also, Karloff's acting was more nuanced than Strange's - who was quite good, just not as emotional and sympathetic.
Poor Bela, comes in third. But I LOVE Frankenstein Meets the Wolfman, a movie that feels more legitimately part of the original Frankenstein saga than does any of the Strange movies, that are good - but seem more like afterthoughts in the whole legend. (Yes, I realize that I appreciate the plot and execution of Meets above Lugosi's makeup and acting.)
Just my thoughts. You are entitled to disagree as much as you want - if you don't mind being wrong.
Quote from: Mike Scott on October 15, 2020, 12:07:30 PM
Well, semi legit, since Aubert (and a stunt woman) were hanging from wires.
I had to look up a clip of it. The lady is even hanging onto the wire! I remember it being a lot less obvious for some reason.
In terms of what's "iconic" to me it's Strange. That's what I think of when I think of the Monster. But Karloff is completely unique, and his performances are unmatched. The first two movies in the series are brilliant-- the rest of them are fun. I just recently watched HOUSE OF FRANKENSTEIN the other day after a long long time and it was a hoot. I forget how it's really like two movies shoved into one.
But if I close my eyes and think FRANKENSTEIN'S MONSTER I see Glenn Strange as rendered by Basil Gogos on a Famous Monsters cover.
Karloff. Without a doubt he IS Frankenstein
For the movies, Karloff is way ahead. No comparison, really.
However, I love all of the Strange-based merchandise. He just "looks" like more like Frankenstein's monster as an icon.
Karloff is King, but Glenn Strange is the Monster for me! He's so iconic!
Gotta go with Boris Karloff. He was the first Universal Frankenstein I saw, and is THE Frankenstein. Although the first Frankenstein I ever saw was Robert De Niro. Rewatching the first two though my favorite character might be Frankenstein himself.
I have to say that I love them all! Although, I do have a specific order to share that love:
1. Karloff. Like Adam said - he was first that I saw. He scared me most. His growl is priceless!
2. Glenn Strange. My favorite version of Glenn's monster is in A&C meet Frankenstein. Compare Glenn with the Pierce & Westmore versions of the makeup. The modifications that Westmore added to the makeup... make all the difference: The Monster's hair is longer in the back, with the hair on each side of the monster's head combed back, giving it a better look. There is more shading on the Monster's face, and the body padding looks to have been increased as well. The finished result is the finest looking version of the Glenn Strange Monster.
3. Lon Chaney Jr. Not a big fan of the film in general. Mainly because the monster plays bully with Igor. The script isn't great either as we get another version of "The Monster Meets The Kid" again!
4. Bela Lugosi. Poor Bela, a victim of Post Production tampering. The shooting script features all of Bela's (monster's/Igor's) dialogue, and I had always hoped that it would have been found. The Monster sitting with Talbot and talking about his dilemma may have sounded hilarious to viewers even in Igor's voice. It's amazing that what worked to close a film in 1942, doesn't work in 1943.
Quote from: Anthony Caranci on October 22, 2020, 02:01:49 AM
I have to say that I love them all! ...
I didn't even think about Chaney!
I'm not a fan of the Glenn Strange Monster, it just seems too cartoonish to me. Karloff is much more menacing. Lon Chaney's was the worst. His portrayal made the monster seem more human than anything.
There not really comparable in the same respects. Karloff has so much going for it, including the actual movies themselves. Meanwhile, all Strange has is the look. The monster in Abbott and Costello meet Frankenstein might be the scariest, appearance wise. Though, Karloff had a gaunt look in the first film that couldn't really be copied after (not even by Karloff, apparently).
Lugosi just feels wrong, but technically most of Frankenstein meets the Wolfman was stunt doubles anyways. Chaney Jr's face was too round, but passable.
So which Frankenstein did James Bama use for a model when he did these paintings?
(http://i1101.photobucket.com/albums/g434/Balticprince/bamafrk.jpg)
(http://i1101.photobucket.com/albums/g434/Balticprince/bama_frank-kong_pb.gif)
Because that's the one I like.
:)
Quote from: Hepcat on October 23, 2020, 05:54:40 PM
So which Frankenstein did James Bama use for a model when he did these paintings?
(http://i1101.photobucket.com/albums/g434/Balticprince/bamafrk.jpg)
(http://i1101.photobucket.com/albums/g434/Balticprince/bama_frank-kong_pb.gif)
Because that's the one I like.
:)
Heh, yeah. That'd be both. Basically Glenn Strange but with the unused "rings" that were on Karloff's head in early makeup tests.
It's also worth noting that the monster looks different from movie to movie, even when it's the same actor. I don't think Strange looked quite as good in House of Frankenstein or House of Dracula. Despite it actually being done by Jack Pierce those times.
So I understand that Boris Karloff played Baron von Frankenstein's monster in these three movies:
Frankenstein (1931)
Bride of Frankenstein (1935)
Son of Frankenstein (1939)
Glenn Strange then played Frankenstein's monster in these three flicks:
House of Frankenstein (1944)
House of Dracula (1945)
Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein (1948)
Quote from: Kidagain on October 15, 2020, 11:36:21 AMHard to pick but growing up in the 50s and 60s Strange image of the monster was pretty much on everything for sale on Frankenstein. I believe the NY Times showed Strange's image of the monster when Karloff died. Strange wins it for me.
Quote from: AndyFish on October 15, 2020, 04:14:15 PMBut if I close my eyes and think FRANKENSTEIN'S MONSTER I see Glenn Strange as rendered by Basil Gogos on a Famous Monsters cover.
Quote from: Doh! on October 15, 2020, 11:08:26 PMFor the movies, Karloff is way ahead. No comparison, really.
However, I love all of the Strange-based merchandise. He just "looks" like more like Frankenstein's monster as an icon.
Quote from: LundyAfterMidnight on October 19, 2020, 03:49:33 AMKarloff is King, but Glenn Strange is the Monster for me! He's so iconic!
Yes, it does seem that Glenn Strange's image became the iconic one:
Quote from: WikipediaDuring the wave of monster-related merchandising in the late 1950s and 1960s, it was often Glenn Strange's iconic image used for the Monster on toys, games and paraphernalia most often from his appearance in the Abbott & Costello film. In 1969, The New York Times mistakenly published Boris Karloff's obituary with Glenn Strange's picture as the Frankenstein monster.
cl:)
Quote from: AndyFish on October 15, 2020, 04:14:15 PMBut if I close my eyes and think FRANKENSTEIN'S MONSTER I see Glenn Strange as rendered by Basil Gogos on a Famous Monsters cover.
Here's Basil Gogos' rendering of the Frankenstein monster:
(http://images.artnet.com/artwork_images/423779263/265638.jpg)
ededed
Karloff for the win! :)
QuoteI have to say that I love them all! Although, I do have a specific order to share that love:
1. Karloff. Like Adam said - he was first that I saw. He scared me most. His growl is priceless!
2. Glenn Strange. My favorite version of Glenn's monster is in A&C meet Frankenstein. Compare Glenn with the Pierce & Westmore versions of the makeup. The modifications that Westmore added to the makeup... make all the difference: The Monster's hair is longer in the back, with the hair on each side of the monster's head combed back, giving it a better look. There is more shading on the Monster's face, and the body padding looks to have been increased as well. The finished result is the finest looking version of the Glenn Strange Monster.
3. Lon Chaney Jr. Not a big fan of the film in general. Mainly because the monster plays bully with Igor. The script isn't great either as we get another version of "The Monster Meets The Kid" again!
4. Bela Lugosi. Poor Bela, a victim of Post Production tampering. The shooting script features all of Bela's (monster's/Igor's) dialogue, and I had always hoped that it would have been found. The Monster sitting with Talbot and talking about his dilemma may have sounded hilarious to viewers even in Igor's voice. It's amazing that what worked to close a film in 1942, doesn't work in 1943.
I pretty much agree with every assessment here. Karloff gave the monster his soul. Once he was out of the role, that humanity was gone. And of course, everyone from Chaney at the end of Ghost of Frankenstein onward is actually playing Ygor's brain in the body of the monster, so it's not even the same character, really!
But Strange is probably my second favorite, just because of his look, and the little bit of characterization he's allowed to give the Monster in A & C Meet Frankenstein. He is pretty much a prop in the "House of" films.
Chris
Boris Karloff is the definitive Frankenstein Monster. I like Glen Strange, but Boris is the best. Honestly, Lugosi was the worst Franky in my opinion.
Quote from: Rich on April 11, 2022, 09:55:46 AM
Boris Karloff is the definitive Frankenstein Monster. I like Glen Strange, but Boris is the best. Honestly, Lugosi was the worst Franky in my opinion.
Ask any little kid to be Frankenstein and they will almost always stagger around like Bela's Monster.
My least favorite Monster is Lon Chaney. He seems to think the whole character is in the costume and makeup and not add anything of a real performance. He might as well be playing Bluto in a Popeye cartoon.
But, that' just me.
The Frankenstein monster had a soul, when Karloff played the fault. Glen Strange wasn't really given much to do in the films he was in.