ABOUT THIS BOOK A cadaverous feast, an exquisite corpse brought to life before your eyes! Writer, journalist and mad scientist, Emma Westwood has edited and curated an essential collection of writing about one of the all-time classics of horror cinema, James Whale’s BRIDE OF FRANKENSTEIN. From Jon Towlson’s analysis of the film’s censorship to Dr Dan Golding’s post-mortem of Franz Waxman’s score. From Sally Christie’s look at the Gothic feminine to Cerise Howard’s electrifying comparisons between Whale’s movie and Oldřich Lipský’s HAPPY END. A perfect surgeon’s bucket of glistening and glorious essays.
It's doubtful that Hollywood ever made a more sublime Gothic than James Whale's camp, tragic, screamingly funny / horrifying 1935 tour de force...and this beautifully presented ensemble of appreciative essays does it more than justice. The assembled contributors bring much affection, wit and insight into examinations of (among other things) its sound design and score, its extensive legacy, its significance for impressionable terrestrial TV horror fans of a certain age and its enduring importance as a Queer text via The Monster's plight, Whale's open sexuality and the waspish delights / innuendo of Ernest Thesiger. A fabulous read from cover to cover.
Bottom line, if you are a fan of the film THE BRIDE OF FRANKENSTEIN, you must read this book. A collection of essays about the individual components of the iconic film, focusing on makeup, innovations in sound and in music, those unforgettable performances, and ongoing social relevance. Only complaint is that each essay features a full recap of the film’s plot, which got increasingly tedious. Otherwise, some delightful analysis of a truly great film.
First time reading a collection of essays and it’s no joke when people say you can truly hear someone voice pop out in their writing. Felt like I was reading a documentary, overall an informative and entertaining piece of work. My favorite essays were “Pretty Little Thing In Her Way, Wasn’t She?” “The Bride, Herself” and “Stop. Elipses…Question Mark?”