MovieChat Forums > Son of Frankenstein (1939) Discussion > How tongue in cheek was this...?

How tongue in cheek was this...?

posted 18 years ago by robertocartera
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I could not work out whether the script writer was being intetionally funny throughout the picture (as in, say, Bride Of...) or if it was unintentionally funny.

This occurs mostly in relation to Kroghs arm. It's manipulation by its owner, the darts, his retort to Frankenstein at one point - "I'll give you a hand", it being ripped off by the monster etc.

Surely Rathbone was aware of the ridiculousness of it ie his totally over the top 'agitation' resulting in hilarious face-pulling etc...

[–] Doghouse-6 18 years ago

I'm sure a great deal of dark humor was intended; exitable as he was, I find Wolf quite amusing when in a temper, as when he sarcastically asks Krogh whether the monster he refers to is the original, or, "Am I supposed to have whipped one up....as a housewife whips up an omelette?" True, it may be a bit much when he tells Elsa that Krogh "said he'd take a hand."

Could it be that you find some of the business with Krogh's arm funnier than intended because of "Young Frankenstein?"

This is probably sacrilige to some, but "Bride" is my least favorite of the first four, specifically because of the humor. It's whimsical tone just strikes a wrong note with me (and, though I love her, there's waaaaaaaay too much of Una O'Connor; she's much better in "The Invisible Man").