In this segment of Salon Saturday we are considering wines that go with horror films based on Frankenstein. The first significant film was Frankenstein in 1931. Metascore gave a 91 rating to this classic horror film. Boris Karloff did not even get a credit for the role; he was simply billed as the “creature.” His name and fame came quickly on the heels of the movie’s initial run.
The first ever film version was the 1910 Edison Production of Frankenstein — the first adaptation of the story for the screen. That was followed by The Golem (1920), directed by Paul Wegener and Carl Boese, a classic of German expressionism. The golem’s first mention was in the bible. The most famous legend was in 16th century Prague where a Rabbi created a golem made out of clay to protect the people and was the basis for the film. The digital re-mastering of this film is well worth viewing.
Note that in The Golem the same matter God used to form Adam is used by a Rabbi to protect his people rather than by science, a significant difference. More important was the fact that in Shelley’s novel, he was a thinking man in a body of many parts brought to life. His despair in the best Frankenstein films reveals that humanity, and that he’s alone in the world.
The two film companies associated with Frankenstein before the 70s were Universal and Hammer Films. Most of the later movies were typically one-offs, but the best are covered here as well.
Frankenstein (1931): Dir James Whale, with Colin Clive, Boris Karloff, Mae Clarke
This is still a great film to watch. The German expressionism of the sets, the stunning portrayal by Karloff and skillful direction of Whale make this a landmark film that set the framework for most of the films that followed.
I would have selected the Golem Rising from the Clare Valley, Australia, but it’s no longer available so I’m going with Rieslingfreak No. 5 Clare Valley $27, a great place for this grape.
The Bride of Frankenstein (1935): Dir James Whale, with Boris Karloff, Colin Clive, Elsa Lancaster
Whale’s second go at Shelley begins with a prolog with Shelley (Lancaster) saying that the monster did not die in the fire, but now needs a mate to fill his lonely existence. Another doctor, Pretorius, has created his own miniature creatures, but needs Henry’s help to make a life-size version and kidnaps Elizabeth to insure it. The monster, now with speech, demands a bride. The bride is also played by Lancaster with a most amazing hairdo. The Metascore was 95 making it the top Frankenstein movie of all time.
I’m going with an Acrobat 2022 Pinot Gris, which is fresh and brilliant. Fruit-forward notes of pear, passion fruit, and honeydew melon intrigue the nose and carry through to the palate. This is a blend of 91% Pinot Gris, 8.5% Chardonnay, 0.5% Muscat. This is such an easy drinking wine you might find yourself thinking Frank’s bride was actually pretty hot.
Son of Frankenstein (1939): Dir Rowland Lee, with Boris Karloff, Basil Rathbone, Bela Lugosi
This was the final time Karloff played the monster, with a good role for Lugosi as Igor, a criminal who survived a hanging, but with a twisted neck. Rathbone plays the doctor’s son and decides to revive the monster to prove he was actually good. Yup, we know where this one is headed.
I’m going with a Michael-David Freakshow Old Vine Zinfandel $18, 15.5% ABV, which should take off some of the chill. This is a meaty Zin with monstrous body so pour it, don’t lurch it.
Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein (1948): Dir Charles Barton, Walter Lantz with Lon Chaney
The first horror comedies were Universal monsters against the comedy team of Bud Abbott and Lou Costello. In this one the Wolf Man tries to warn a dimwitted porter that Dracula wants his brain for Frankenstein monster’s body. Costello’s brain, are they crazy? Yes they are, so Lou has to keep himself out of the clutches of Lugosi in his last wearing of the cape.
I’m going with a Chevalier Le Grand Robert Crémant de Bordeaux Brut, 12% ABV, $15, by the same folks that provided the dry Rose we had last week. Below that, in script it displays “Tu vis et je ne meurs jamais” (You live and I never die). Tell me that’s not appropriate for any Frankenstein film.
The Revenge of Frankenstein (1958): Dir Terrence Fisher with Peter Cushing, Eunice Gayson
This was the second Hammer Frankenstein after the 1957 Curse of Frankenstein. This time it’s without Christopher Lee, but Cushing shows the doctor’s human side as Dr. Victor Stein, a brilliant surgeon who uses his skills to open a hospital for the poor from the money his rich clients provide. The hospital also provides the body parts he needs for his experiments.
I’m going with a Ch Ste Michele 2019 Eroica XLC Dry Riesling, 12% ABV, $45, not cheap but this joint venture with Doctor Loosen is special. The extended lees contact harkens back to German Rieslings of the past.
Young Frankenstein (1974): Dir Mel Brooks with Gene Wilder, Peter Boyle, Marty Feldman
Everything works in this one; cinematography, the cast, and the script which both Brooks and Wilder worked on, sets and costumes and the un-credited Gene Hackman as the hermit. This horror masterpiece cries out for a German Riesling, in fact they feature one during the dinner scene. However never have a blind hermit serve you hot soup.
Parts of all three Karloff films were the inspiration for Young Frankenstein. Inspector Kemp (Kenneth Mars) role was taken from Son of Frankenstein’s Inspector Krogh, who lost an arm to the monster. Brooks also made the prosthetic arm a Dr Strangelove-like appendage that seemed to have a life of its own. And Lugosi’s Igor is here as well, but as a hunchback, not with a twisted neck. Hump, what hump?
I’m bringing it home with a Black Mesa Woodnymph Riesling, $20, which has garnered awards from the Finger Lakes wine competition, a dry wine with tropical fruit and minerality, giving it a life of its own.
Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein (1994): Dir Kenneth Branagh with Robert De Niro, Helena Bonham Carter
This version of the story is the closest to Shelley’s novel, although still with director Branagh’s flourishes as he plays the doctor. Henry Clerval does show up as Tom Hulce. De Niro does a great job with his role as the monster. Like the original story he speaks and thinks deeply, painfully aware that his image will inspire fear. One thing unchanged was the use of electricity to animate the being from the earliest movie, but in the novel the doctor used chemicals to accomplish it.
Roger Ebert: De Niro brings a real pathos to the role, and there is agony when he asks the scientist, “Did you ever consider the consequences of your actions?” And his loneliness is palpable: “For the sympathy of one living being I would make peace with all.” But Ebert was less satisfied with Branagh’s manic doctor.
Against my better judgment I’m going with the 19 Crimes Cabernet Sauvignon, which is available at World Market for $13.99, or $10.99 if you’re a member. The tasting notes are here: The moody aromas of dark berries and shadowy notes of vanilla of this red wine really jump out and grab you. Un huh, and we hope it doesn’t throttle you at the same time. The image of the Frankenstein monster glow-in-the-dark feature could be more unsettling than the contents.
Frankenstein: The True Story (1973): Dir Jack Smight with Michael Sarrazin, James Mason, Leonard Whiting, Jane Seymour
Here is another Frankenstein movie identifying itself as the true story, which aired on NBC, with an excellent cast. At over three hours it is a bit long, but the plot is good, chemicals rather than lightning are considered the proper way to revive the monster. Jane Seymour becomes the female monster, but as a scheming femme fatale, not the monster’s bride. This is a good addition to the Frankenstein saga.
Victor Frankenstein (2015): Dir Paul McGuigan, with Daniel Radcliffe, James McAvoy
Here is yet another retelling of the classic, but with a radically altered plot. The story is told from Igor’s (Radcliffe) perspective, there is no bride, and the monster is only on for a short time. That makes this a recycled story of Shelley’s characters but far from her novel’s intent.
If you’re into splits then a Mano’s Fright Night Wine Box Cabernet Sauvignon California 4x375ml is your ticket to gloom with posters of Friday the 13th, It, The Exorcist and Annabelle etched in each bottle.
The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975): Dir Jim Sharman, with Tim Curry, Susan Sarandon, Barry Bostwick
OK, so doctor Frank-n-furter isn’t your typical Victor Frankenstein, not with lipstick, eye shadow and black mesh stockings, but Curry is great in arguably his best role as the slightly mad and bisexual scientist. I did show this one Halloween, but everyone was clueless about its cult midnight showings. In those midnight events, fans brought props like candles, newspaper, and acted out some of the parts. And then there’s the sing-along! They didn’t even know the words to The Time Warp. I mean this is a musical. Maybe putting it on at 7pm instead of midnight was the problem? Head slap!
I’m going with Kavanagh Pumpkin Spice Irish Cream, 17% ABV, $15.99, since pumpkin spice is everywhere these days. This pumpkin requires no reanimation, so there’s that.
Gothic (1986): Dir Ken Russell, with Julian Sands, Gabriel Byrne, Natasha Richardson
Here we have a retelling of that dramatic night when Frankenstein was born. Since this is a Ken Russell film we can expect scores of disturbing images, lurid colors, light and shadow and everything else needed to recreate the elements that triggered Shelley’s mind to write this amazing tale.
In her preface to the 1831 edition of the novel Shelley writes, “I have found it! What terrified me will terrify others; and I need only describe the spectre which had haunted my midnight pillow.”
Part of what made the actual event otherworldly was that this was the year without a summer. The eruption of Mount Tambora in Indonesia the previous year triggered a change in the global climate as volcanoes typically do, so they stayed indoors by the fire. That and the laudanum they took would surely create the atmosphere for Frankenstein’s creature to be born. Not to mention wild sex; oops, I mentioned it.
I’m going with a Gothic Nevermore 2021 Pinot Noir, 13.8% ABV, $24 from Willamette Valley sourcing grapes from three Oregon vineyards; thus quote the Raven.
Gods and Monsters (1998): Dir Bill Condon, with Ian McKellen, Brendan Fraser
Just as Gothic showed us the creation of Frankenstein, this movie shows us the creation of our image of the scientist and his creation, for good or ill. James Whale is brilliantly portrayed by McKellen, and his latest muse, his “pool boy” to coin a phrase, is well done by Fraser, who later wowed us in The Mummy. Whale was a homosexual, which he never hid and here McKellen gives a touching portrait of man long out of movies who still sees images of his lumbering creation. The sets evoked the original ones from both of Whale’s films and the music by Carter Burwell perfectly captured the spirit.
It must be almost time for dessert so I’m going with Dr Heidemanns Beerenauslese Bear, that’s right a play on Beeren, but less alcohol 9%, and at 20 bills per split a little cheaper than a TBA, but save room for the sponge cake. Inspector Kemp: Und now, let us all go to my house to have a little sponge cake und a little vine….
And to all, a good night!
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