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Frankenstein [raymix]
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Updated
Faneditor Name:
Original Movie Title:
Genre:
Fanedit Type:
Original Release Date:
1931
Original Running Time:
70
Fanedit Release Date:
Fanedit Running Time:
62
Time Cut:
9
Time Added:
1
Subtitles Available?
Available in HD?
Additional Links:
Brief Synopsis:
This is the first film in a project that aims to bring tighter editing, improved pacing & stronger continuity to a series of 4 Frankenstein films.
Intention:
My intention was to give the film a quicker pulse, a more modern presentation & a better series continuity all while retaining it's original charm.
Other Sources:
SOURCES USED:
Video-
-Frankenstein (Universal bluray, 2017)
-Bride of Frankenstein (Universal bluray, 2017)
Audio-
-Sound Effects (youtube.com)
Video-
-Frankenstein (Universal bluray, 2017)
-Bride of Frankenstein (Universal bluray, 2017)
Audio-
-Sound Effects (youtube.com)
Release Information:
Digital
Special Features
Trailer
Editing Details:
I wanted to bring new life to the film using sharper editing & more extensive foley work, without anything seeming to be changed.
This version moves along at a more contemporary pace, while retaining it's old charm.
This version moves along at a more contemporary pace, while retaining it's old charm.
Cuts and Additions:
PRODUCTION CREDITS-
-added the fanedit.org logo.
-added my fanedit production logo.
-added the 1931 Universal logo.
OPENING-
-added a "Word of Warning" title.
-longer pause between "Well," & "we've warned you."
-shot lingers longer on the curtains after the MC walks away.
-slower fade-out.
TITLE CARD-
-new edit of the Opening Theme.
-new "A James Whale Film" credit.
-new title card.
-removed the opening credits.
IN THE GRAVEYARD-
-cut the grave keeper lighting his pipe.
-inter-cut the grave keeper walking away with Henry & Fritz watching.
-shortened a shot of the grave keeper walking away.
-added a fade-out transition to end the scene.
-longer transition into the next scene.
THE HANGED MAN-
-added a fade-in transition to begin the scene.
-shortened the shot of Henry & Fritz pushing the wagon.
-slower fade-out.
-longer transition into the next scene.
AT THE MEDICAL COLLEGE-
-extended the college establishing shot.
-removed the first few shots of the students before class begins.
-Dr. Waldman's lecture begins over the college establishing shot.
-edited some of Dr. Waldman's dialog for better rhythm.
-added a shot of Fritz at the window as Dr. Waldman speaks. (cut later)
-shortened the shot of students leaving class.
-added sounds for the shattering jar & the brain splatting on the floor.
-cut some of Fritz bumbling around after picking up the second brain.
-shortened the shot of Fritz leaving the classroom.
-slower fade-out.
MEETING WITH DR. WALDMAN-
-cut Victor saying "Oh, the bodies of animals."
AT THE WATCHTOWER LAB-
-added various thunder sounds during the establishing shot.
-shortened the shot of Fritz coming down the rope.
-Henry's dialog about the brain begins as he puts a cloth over the head.
-cut Fritz investigating the knocking at the door.
-added a shot of Fritz fixing his socks as everyone goes upstairs. (cut earlier)
-cut Henry explaining his previous experiments to Dr. Waldman.
BRINGING THE MONSTER TO LIFE-
-cut a shot of Henry speaking with no dialog.
-cut a corresponding shot of Fritz.
-cut a shot looking up at the operating table.
-rearranged shots of Henry, Fritz, the table & some equipment.
-cut another shot of Henry speaking with no dialog.
-cut a shot looking up at the operating table.
-swapped two shots of sparking equipment.
-extended the thunder sounds after the scene fades-out.
-longer transition into the next scene.
MEETING WITH BARON FRANKENSTEIN-
-cut the Baron saying "...Will you tell me that?"
-fixed an edit that cut as the Baron begins to speak.
-cut the Baron complaining to the burgomaster about "troubles."
-cut the burgomaster saying "Good day, Baron."
-replaced the Baron's dialog about "Another woman" with dialog cut earlier.
-shortened the shot of the Baron walking to the door.
-slower fade-out.
THE DOCTORS DEBATE-
-cut dialog about Henry's father's disapproval.
MEETING THE MONSTER-
-extended the 2nd close-up on the Monster's face.
-cut Henry walking to the door.
-shortened a shot of Henry opening the window.
-added some subtle outside ambiance after Henry opens the window.
-added a beat between Fritz's "Where is it?" & his scream.
-extended the Monster's yell when Waldman clubs him from behind.
-longer transition into the next scene.
FRITZ TORTURES THE MONSTER-
-added burning & whooshing sounds while Fritz taunts the Monster with the torch.
-removed the Monster's groans as Henry & Waldman run down the stairs.
-removed the Monster making an ape-like sound before it passes out.
BARON & ELIZABETH ARRIVE AT THE LAB-
-cut the Baron complaining before knocking on the door.
-cut the Baron raking his cane against the door impatiently.
-cut the Baron knocking again before Victor opens the door.
-cut some of the Baron's rambling as he enters the lab.
-cut the Baron's slow, whinny trip up the stairs.
-slower fade-out.
-longer transition into the next scene.
DR. WALDMAN & THE MONSTER-
-extended the shot of Waldman's notes, allowing time to read it.
-shortened the shot of the Monster peeking before attacking.
-re-timed Waldman's "Ack!" to better match the Monster's grasp.
-added a neck-break sound.
-longer transition into the next scene.
HENRY & ELIZABETH AT HOME-
-cut Henry easing back into his chair, removing a continuity error.
-shortened a shot of Elizabeth before she replies "Let's make it soon."
-quicker transition into the next scene.
A TOAST TO THE GROOM-
-cut the Baron's second toast.
-cut the Baron's "Give the servants champagne. This stuff's wasted on em."
-cut the servants' toast.
-cut a few shots of people celebrating outside.
-cut everybody going to the window to see, before the Baron goes outside.
-the music doesn't end abruptly.
-smoother cross-fade into the next scene.
THE MONSTER & LITTLE MARIA-
-cut "Won't you stay & play, daddy?" / "I'm too busy. Stay & play with the kitty."
-cut Little Maria saying "Come on, kitty" while obviously choking it.
-added sounds for the flowers hitting the water.
-smoother cross-fade into the next scene.
DANCIN' IN THE STREETS-
-the music doesn't start abruptly.
-shortened a shot of people dancing.
-removed a jump-cut while people dance.
-the music doesn't stop abruptly when we cut inside to Henry & Co.
ELIZABETH IS WORRIED-
-cut Liz dismissing her feelings as "Just a mood" before speaking her mind.
-cut Liz's 2nd "What is it?" as Victor knocks.
THE MONSTER IN THE HOUSE-
-cut Henry & Co. searching upstairs in the attic.
-cut Henry & Co. rushing from the attic back to Liz's dressing room.
SEARCHING FOR THE MONSTER-
-cut a shot of the villagers rounding a corner.
-smoother cross-fade from the villages in town to the countryside.
-removed a jump cut while the villagers march down the hillside.
-fixed an audio jump-cut while the dogs bark.
-shortened a shot of the villagers approaching camera.
-fixed an audio jump-cut as the villagers come to a stop.
-fixed an audio jump-cut as the villagers split-up.
-cut a quick cross-fade from the split-up to the rowboats.
-added sounds for the rowing & the lake.
-fixed an audio jump-cut as the villagers reach the mountain summit.
-shortened a shot of the villagers coming across the mountain summit.
-fixed an audio jump-cut as the villagers continue through the mountain.
-fixed an audio jump-cut just before Henry says "Come on, boys!"
-shortened the villagers approaching as Henry speaks to the injured man.
-fixed an audio jump-cut as we cut to a tighter shot of the injured man.
-cut a shot of the Monster ducking & villagers running past.
-cut a wide shot that reveals shortcomings of the stage set.
-cut a shot of the man with the dogs.
-cut a quick shot of Henry climbing.
-shortened a shot of a group looking around before spotting Henry.
-cut the villagers stopping to listen as Henry cries for help.
-added a sound when the Monster strikes Henry.
AT THE WINDMILL-
-added a sound when the Monster drops Henry to the floor.
-additional burning sounds throughout.
-added a sound when Henry hits the windmill blade.
-crowd sounds dissipate instead of cutting suddenly after Henry falls.
-removed some odd audio during a shot of the Monster.
-added sounds for the beam dropping onto the Monster & the Monster falling.
-slo-mo on the final shot of the burning windmill.
-slow fade-out on the final shot of the burning windmill.
BACK AT HOME-
-cut this entire scene.
END CREDITS-
-replaced the End Theme with a new edit of the Opening Theme.
-cut the The End card.
-added the title card.
-new cards for the cast credits.
-new card for the crew credits
-corrected "Mrs. Percy Shelly" to the proper "Mary Shelly."
-added a credit for the make-up effects by Jack Pierce.
-added a credit for composer Bernhard Kaun.
-new card for the director credit.
POST-CREDITS-
-added two shots of the burning windmill collapsing. (from BRIDE)
-added SFX (angry shouts, fire, rumble clattering)
-added my production logo.
-added the fanedit.org logo.
-added my fanedit production logo.
-added the 1931 Universal logo.
OPENING-
-added a "Word of Warning" title.
-longer pause between "Well," & "we've warned you."
-shot lingers longer on the curtains after the MC walks away.
-slower fade-out.
TITLE CARD-
-new edit of the Opening Theme.
-new "A James Whale Film" credit.
-new title card.
-removed the opening credits.
IN THE GRAVEYARD-
-cut the grave keeper lighting his pipe.
-inter-cut the grave keeper walking away with Henry & Fritz watching.
-shortened a shot of the grave keeper walking away.
-added a fade-out transition to end the scene.
-longer transition into the next scene.
THE HANGED MAN-
-added a fade-in transition to begin the scene.
-shortened the shot of Henry & Fritz pushing the wagon.
-slower fade-out.
-longer transition into the next scene.
AT THE MEDICAL COLLEGE-
-extended the college establishing shot.
-removed the first few shots of the students before class begins.
-Dr. Waldman's lecture begins over the college establishing shot.
-edited some of Dr. Waldman's dialog for better rhythm.
-added a shot of Fritz at the window as Dr. Waldman speaks. (cut later)
-shortened the shot of students leaving class.
-added sounds for the shattering jar & the brain splatting on the floor.
-cut some of Fritz bumbling around after picking up the second brain.
-shortened the shot of Fritz leaving the classroom.
-slower fade-out.
MEETING WITH DR. WALDMAN-
-cut Victor saying "Oh, the bodies of animals."
AT THE WATCHTOWER LAB-
-added various thunder sounds during the establishing shot.
-shortened the shot of Fritz coming down the rope.
-Henry's dialog about the brain begins as he puts a cloth over the head.
-cut Fritz investigating the knocking at the door.
-added a shot of Fritz fixing his socks as everyone goes upstairs. (cut earlier)
-cut Henry explaining his previous experiments to Dr. Waldman.
BRINGING THE MONSTER TO LIFE-
-cut a shot of Henry speaking with no dialog.
-cut a corresponding shot of Fritz.
-cut a shot looking up at the operating table.
-rearranged shots of Henry, Fritz, the table & some equipment.
-cut another shot of Henry speaking with no dialog.
-cut a shot looking up at the operating table.
-swapped two shots of sparking equipment.
-extended the thunder sounds after the scene fades-out.
-longer transition into the next scene.
MEETING WITH BARON FRANKENSTEIN-
-cut the Baron saying "...Will you tell me that?"
-fixed an edit that cut as the Baron begins to speak.
-cut the Baron complaining to the burgomaster about "troubles."
-cut the burgomaster saying "Good day, Baron."
-replaced the Baron's dialog about "Another woman" with dialog cut earlier.
-shortened the shot of the Baron walking to the door.
-slower fade-out.
THE DOCTORS DEBATE-
-cut dialog about Henry's father's disapproval.
MEETING THE MONSTER-
-extended the 2nd close-up on the Monster's face.
-cut Henry walking to the door.
-shortened a shot of Henry opening the window.
-added some subtle outside ambiance after Henry opens the window.
-added a beat between Fritz's "Where is it?" & his scream.
-extended the Monster's yell when Waldman clubs him from behind.
-longer transition into the next scene.
FRITZ TORTURES THE MONSTER-
-added burning & whooshing sounds while Fritz taunts the Monster with the torch.
-removed the Monster's groans as Henry & Waldman run down the stairs.
-removed the Monster making an ape-like sound before it passes out.
BARON & ELIZABETH ARRIVE AT THE LAB-
-cut the Baron complaining before knocking on the door.
-cut the Baron raking his cane against the door impatiently.
-cut the Baron knocking again before Victor opens the door.
-cut some of the Baron's rambling as he enters the lab.
-cut the Baron's slow, whinny trip up the stairs.
-slower fade-out.
-longer transition into the next scene.
DR. WALDMAN & THE MONSTER-
-extended the shot of Waldman's notes, allowing time to read it.
-shortened the shot of the Monster peeking before attacking.
-re-timed Waldman's "Ack!" to better match the Monster's grasp.
-added a neck-break sound.
-longer transition into the next scene.
HENRY & ELIZABETH AT HOME-
-cut Henry easing back into his chair, removing a continuity error.
-shortened a shot of Elizabeth before she replies "Let's make it soon."
-quicker transition into the next scene.
A TOAST TO THE GROOM-
-cut the Baron's second toast.
-cut the Baron's "Give the servants champagne. This stuff's wasted on em."
-cut the servants' toast.
-cut a few shots of people celebrating outside.
-cut everybody going to the window to see, before the Baron goes outside.
-the music doesn't end abruptly.
-smoother cross-fade into the next scene.
THE MONSTER & LITTLE MARIA-
-cut "Won't you stay & play, daddy?" / "I'm too busy. Stay & play with the kitty."
-cut Little Maria saying "Come on, kitty" while obviously choking it.
-added sounds for the flowers hitting the water.
-smoother cross-fade into the next scene.
DANCIN' IN THE STREETS-
-the music doesn't start abruptly.
-shortened a shot of people dancing.
-removed a jump-cut while people dance.
-the music doesn't stop abruptly when we cut inside to Henry & Co.
ELIZABETH IS WORRIED-
-cut Liz dismissing her feelings as "Just a mood" before speaking her mind.
-cut Liz's 2nd "What is it?" as Victor knocks.
THE MONSTER IN THE HOUSE-
-cut Henry & Co. searching upstairs in the attic.
-cut Henry & Co. rushing from the attic back to Liz's dressing room.
SEARCHING FOR THE MONSTER-
-cut a shot of the villagers rounding a corner.
-smoother cross-fade from the villages in town to the countryside.
-removed a jump cut while the villagers march down the hillside.
-fixed an audio jump-cut while the dogs bark.
-shortened a shot of the villagers approaching camera.
-fixed an audio jump-cut as the villagers come to a stop.
-fixed an audio jump-cut as the villagers split-up.
-cut a quick cross-fade from the split-up to the rowboats.
-added sounds for the rowing & the lake.
-fixed an audio jump-cut as the villagers reach the mountain summit.
-shortened a shot of the villagers coming across the mountain summit.
-fixed an audio jump-cut as the villagers continue through the mountain.
-fixed an audio jump-cut just before Henry says "Come on, boys!"
-shortened the villagers approaching as Henry speaks to the injured man.
-fixed an audio jump-cut as we cut to a tighter shot of the injured man.
-cut a shot of the Monster ducking & villagers running past.
-cut a wide shot that reveals shortcomings of the stage set.
-cut a shot of the man with the dogs.
-cut a quick shot of Henry climbing.
-shortened a shot of a group looking around before spotting Henry.
-cut the villagers stopping to listen as Henry cries for help.
-added a sound when the Monster strikes Henry.
AT THE WINDMILL-
-added a sound when the Monster drops Henry to the floor.
-additional burning sounds throughout.
-added a sound when Henry hits the windmill blade.
-crowd sounds dissipate instead of cutting suddenly after Henry falls.
-removed some odd audio during a shot of the Monster.
-added sounds for the beam dropping onto the Monster & the Monster falling.
-slo-mo on the final shot of the burning windmill.
-slow fade-out on the final shot of the burning windmill.
BACK AT HOME-
-cut this entire scene.
END CREDITS-
-replaced the End Theme with a new edit of the Opening Theme.
-cut the The End card.
-added the title card.
-new cards for the cast credits.
-new card for the crew credits
-corrected "Mrs. Percy Shelly" to the proper "Mary Shelly."
-added a credit for the make-up effects by Jack Pierce.
-added a credit for composer Bernhard Kaun.
-new card for the director credit.
POST-CREDITS-
-added two shots of the burning windmill collapsing. (from BRIDE)
-added SFX (angry shouts, fire, rumble clattering)
-added my production logo.
User reviews
2 reviews
Overall rating
9.7
Audio/Video Quality
10.0(2)
Audio Editing
9.0(2)
Visual Editing
10.0(2)
Narrative
10.0(2)
Enjoyment
9.5(2)
(Updated: December 09, 2023)
Overall rating
9.4
Audio/Video Quality
10.0
Audio Editing
8.0
Visual Editing
10.0
Narrative
10.0
Enjoyment
9.0
James Whale's Frankenstein is easily one of the best (if not the best) examples of classic Universal Horror, elevated considerably by Karloff's excellent performance. The theatrical cut holds up relatively well for the time, but the majority of Ray's tweaks are a welcome change for the better. Pacing is great, and that for me is one of the main draws. My main qualm is with some of the audio replacement. Checking through the cutlist, it looks like there were a bunch of audio changes that I didn't notice and so were clearly well integrated. But some were a bit off, namely:
- While the added thunder foley does generally fit, it needs an EQ tweak to keep it from drowning out the dialogue at points. It also sounds like it hiccups at 18:31
- 39:17 - the "neck snap" sounds like someone stepping on a crisp, and is quite dry and forward in the mix. It doesn't sound like a neck snap or an effect that would be of the time. I would choose a different sound, dull it significantly and use some (very) subtle room reverb to help it sit better.
- 48:05 - I couldn't see this on the cutlist, so maybe it's in the original film? The growl before Frankenstein reacts realising the monster is nearby is pretty poor. If it is in the original, I'd suggest removing it and replacing it with another bit of karlof audio from elsewhere in the film (it too is very up front and sounds as though it's right in front of the camera)
- 59:30ish - the flame effects just don't sit in the mix very well and sound more like a campfire than a burning windmill to me. I don't really think extra foley is needed here, but if it is to be added it needs to blend in better with the film audio.
Lastly, two audio hiccups. I know that Ray fixed some inherent in the original film, so these may not be his doing:
- 42:02
- 59:52
There were a couple of odd visual moments as well, but I put them down to goofs with the source.
Audio nitpicks aside, this is a solid replacement for the original. I DO wish Ray would start doing subtitles for his edits though (hint hint hint), especially as his edits seem designed to replace theatrical cuts and kind of act as "special editions" of sorts. It's generally good to have them for old muffled audio I think, but for me it's also valuable because it means I can view the edits with my brother (who has hearing trouble).
Looking forward to Bride (which - hot take - is NOT my favourite).
Scrib out.
- While the added thunder foley does generally fit, it needs an EQ tweak to keep it from drowning out the dialogue at points. It also sounds like it hiccups at 18:31
- 39:17 - the "neck snap" sounds like someone stepping on a crisp, and is quite dry and forward in the mix. It doesn't sound like a neck snap or an effect that would be of the time. I would choose a different sound, dull it significantly and use some (very) subtle room reverb to help it sit better.
- 48:05 - I couldn't see this on the cutlist, so maybe it's in the original film? The growl before Frankenstein reacts realising the monster is nearby is pretty poor. If it is in the original, I'd suggest removing it and replacing it with another bit of karlof audio from elsewhere in the film (it too is very up front and sounds as though it's right in front of the camera)
- 59:30ish - the flame effects just don't sit in the mix very well and sound more like a campfire than a burning windmill to me. I don't really think extra foley is needed here, but if it is to be added it needs to blend in better with the film audio.
Lastly, two audio hiccups. I know that Ray fixed some inherent in the original film, so these may not be his doing:
- 42:02
- 59:52
There were a couple of odd visual moments as well, but I put them down to goofs with the source.
Audio nitpicks aside, this is a solid replacement for the original. I DO wish Ray would start doing subtitles for his edits though (hint hint hint), especially as his edits seem designed to replace theatrical cuts and kind of act as "special editions" of sorts. It's generally good to have them for old muffled audio I think, but for me it's also valuable because it means I can view the edits with my brother (who has hearing trouble).
Looking forward to Bride (which - hot take - is NOT my favourite).
Scrib out.
User Review
Do you recommend this edit?
Yes
Format Watched?
Digital
T
Overall rating
10.0
Audio/Video Quality
10.0
Audio Editing
10.0
Visual Editing
10.0
Narrative
10.0
Enjoyment
10.0
I will say that from all the times I have ever watched this film , I really never realized just how short of a movie it is. As usual nothing techie here with me. I enjoyed this edit. It is done in a way that "you" really don't notice the trimmings. I felt like I was watching a 1 hour episode of a TV show. Funny enough what I did notice was the "problems" with the movie itself. The hollow sounds of the microphones in some scenes. And when everyone is running down the castle steps you hear dull thuds of wood, as you do when the monster is running through the mountains. But be that as it may I am just spoiled from 100 years of improved film technology. I sat and told myself this was made 90 years ago. I am watching film history. When I see Karloff I remember reading and hearing stories of him going home in makup because it was so intense. I was half expecting to hear you got "Abby Normals brain?". But on my popcorn scale of enjoyment this gets a five out of five. Next up the Bride.
User Review
Do you recommend this edit?
Yes
Format Watched?
Digital
G