Frankenstein (1931 film)

Frankenstein is a 1931 horror film based on the novel Frankenstein by Mary Shelley. The film tells the story of a scientist named Dr. Henry Frankenstein , whose work takes him into the dark side of life after death. It stars Colin Clive as Henry, Mae Clarke, John Boles, and Boris Karloff as Frankenstein's monster. Karloff is billed only with a question mark in the opening credits, though he was mentioned in the closing credits, which basically repeated the cast that was credited in the opening, under the principle that "A Good Cast Is Worth Repeating".

The movie was adapted by John L. Balderston, Francis Edward Faragoh, Garrett Fort, Robert Florey (uncredited) and John Russell (uncredited) from the Shelly novel and the play by Peggy Webling. It was directed by James Whale and has been selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry.

The doctor in this film is named Henry Frankenstein, and his friend is named Victor; in the original novel, the doctor was named Victor Frankenstein and his best friend's name was Henry Clerval.

Frankenstein was followed by the 1935 sequel Bride of Frankenstein.