| House of Frankenstein | |
|---|---|
&sq=Envato&lang=en&file=File:House-of-frankenstein-theatrical-movie-poster-md.jpg) Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Erle C. Kenton |
| Screenplay by | Edward T. Lowe |
| Based on | The Devil's Brood by Curt Siodmak[2] |
| Produced by | Paul Malvern |
| Starring | |
| Cinematography | George Robinson[2] |
| Edited by | Philip Cahn[2] |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | Universal Pictures Company, Inc. |
Release dates |
|
Running time | 70 minutes[1] |
| Country | United States[1] |
| Budget | $354,000[3] |
House of Frankenstein is a 1944 American horror film starring Boris Karloff, Lon Chaney Jr. and John Carradine. It was directed by Erle C. Kenton and produced by Universal Pictures. Based on Curt Siodmak's story "The Devil's Brood", the film is about Dr. Gustav Niemann, who escapes from prison and promises to create a new body for his assistant Daniel. Over the course of the film, they encounter Count Dracula, the Wolf Man (Larry Talbot) and Frankenstein's monster. The film is a sequel to Frankenstein Meets the Wolf Man (1943).[4]
Universal had initially planned a film titled Chamber of Horrors, which would have included several of their horror-themed characters, but this project was canceled. The concept was later revived as House of Frankenstein. Filming began on April 4, 1944, with the highest budget for a Universal Frankenstein film at that time, and ended in early May. Screenings started in New York City on December 15, 1944. It was not among the highest-grossing films for Universal that year, but it managed to make more money than other Universal horror-related output such as Ghost Catchers (1944) and The Invisible Man's Revenge (1944).
Film historian Gregory W. Mank notes that the critics "made mincemeat" out of House of Frankenstein upon its release.[5] Retrospective reviews focused on the absurdity of connecting the monsters together and the lack of scares in the film. A sequel titled House of Dracula that involved much of the same cast and crew was released in 1945.
- ^ a b c "House of Frankenstein (1945)". American Film Institute. Retrieved June 18, 2021.
- ^ a b c Weaver, Brunas & Brunas 2007, p. 447.
- ^ Weaver, Brunas & Brunas 2007, p. 448.
- ^ Gilliam.
- ^ Mank 1981, p. 138.