From the introduction of sound in the late 1920s until the enforcement of the Hays Censorship Code in 1934, Hollywood films pushed boundaries. Today, Universal Studio's Frankenstein (1931) is universally acknowledged as one of the greatest films of the pre-code era and the most iconic horror film in movie history. But for years, audiences only saw bowdlerized versions of the film. Two scenes in particular were heavily criticized and later cut when the film was reissued to theaters in the late 1930s: the monster's accidental drowning of a little girl and Dr. Frankenstein's quote upon bringing the creature to life, "It's alive! It's alive! In the name of God! Now I know what it feels like to be God!" Just like the monster himself, both scenes were later stitched back into the film for its new restoration. Frankenstein -- the complete, original film -- screens at 7 p.m. tonight in the Schlafly Bottleworks Crown Room (7260 Southwest Avenue, Maplewood; www.afilmseries.com). There's a $6 suggested donation for entry.
Thu., Feb. 6, 2014
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