Frankenstein, Contrast and Comparison

The 1940 's and 1950 's horror films presented something that does not exist in today 's horror films as did during this time the theme of paranoia . Paranoia was not just presented by the character 's depiction of the feeling but through different effects such as lighting and sound that suggestively pointed towards paranoia and accomplished not only the main character 's involvement with the feeling but by extension of these effects the audience 's involvement also , as White states , Because we all fear death and try to protect ourselves from it

, even the most clinical presentation of a murder is apt to interest us . But the arousing of our fear of death by itself is not enough to produce horror horror requires a certain manipulation of that fear (White 7

This type of fear , and involvement of death in horror as represented in the 1950 's film era is seen in The Curse of Frankenstein . The psychology of this film is riveting . It is the classic horror tale of man trying to cheat death or more aptly put it is man trying to be God In the scenes that depict the creation of Frankenstein 's monster and the camera angles (both the low and the high angles ) reveal to the audience the otherworldliness of the moment . The film also has a very strong use of light and shadow especially in scenes with the monster and Frankenstein together . This is especially true when in the film the stray bolt of lightening brings the creature to life in the symbolism of nature bringing the creature to life where science failed is also a small evidence factor that contributes to the idea of these effects having a greater sway on an audience because of their metaphorical qualities than the slasher films of today whose main purpose is to frighten but not seduce . The movie The Curse of Frankenstein seduces the audience by giving them a chance to feel compassion for the creature and diabolical understanding for the doctor , but of these emotions would be possible is not for the camera angles aiding in this portrayal and the use of light and shadow (especially in the lab

Another effect in the movie was the depiction of the monster . The monster was created to embody a very animalistic side of nature and thus the creature was more of a blank canvas (Noel Nightmare and the Horror Film 17 . The monster was violent yet in the film the audience , through the course of the movie and the lighting effects as they represented and lingered on each character in certain fashions (i .e . the progression of the film increasingly shadowed Dr . Frankenstein while the monster became increasingly vivid ) allowed the audience to relate more with the monster and to associate the animalistic symbols in the film with Dr Frankenstein for it is Dr . Frankenstein who is the monster , The fact that audiences tolerate , even seek out and enjoy , a film designed to horrify them...