This was the other seminal horror film to come out in 1931, universally recognised as a classic. Like Dracula , Frankenstein was based on a successful play rather than the source novel. Frankenstein though, as directed by James Whale, is much more watchable today than Dracula with better sets, better acting and a more coherent narrative. It's also more morally ambiguous - does the demented Frankenstein really deserve a happy ending after the havoc he's caused while his creation burns to death ? As with Lugosi's Dracula , the film made a star out of Boris Karloff as the Monster.
Mae Clarke ( as Elisabeth )
Sex : No. Her wedding dress shows a bit of cleavage
Death : Survives
This was Mae's golden year too as this and The Public Enemy with James Cagney proved to be her most popular films. Her career however lasted until 1970. She died of cancer in 1992 aged 81.
Marilyn Harris ( as Maria )
Sex : No
Death : In a scene which still packs a hefty emotional punch, Maria drowns when the Monster misinterprets the game they've been playing and throws her into a lake. Her death leads directly to the Monster's destruction.
Seven -year old Marilyn was unable to capitalise on the film's success and she was more or less an extra in her subsequent films. She left the business in 1944 when she got married and died of cancer in 1999 aged 75.
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