DEEP CUTS goes beneath the surface of horor to uncover the real fears hiding behidn the fiction. Through sharp analysis and a focus on subtext, we explore how horror helps us confront trauma, identity, and the darkest parts of the real world. 

 

(Halloween Hangover) THE BRIDE OF FRAKENSTEIN (1935)         

By. "Wise Up" Katie Weiss

In 1935, Elsa Lanchester played one of the greatest monsters of all time – the Bride of Frankenstein. Her haunting stare, creepy hiss, and stunning outfit and makeup combo continue to enchant audiences everywhere. Even though she was only on screen in her own title film for a few minutes, the Bride has been quite an icon in all things horror and Halloween. Her white cloak and tall hair are all over the place! You probably even saw several cringey couples clad in costumes depicting Frankenstein and his Bride just a few days ago as you took your kids Trick-or-Treating or went to a Halloween party. Because of her prominence, we feel like we know her a lot better than we do! What is it about her that makes so many Universal Monsters fans feel inclined to choose her as their favorite monster? Why do we assume that Frankenstein and his Bride make a totally cute couple’s costume? She clearly captured our attention in her few minutes of screen time, that’s for sure!

                                                                                       

One of the coolest and perhaps most well-done depictions of the Bride in current pop culture is Mrs. Hennessey’s (Maya Rudolph’s) costume in Hubie Halloween (2020). Though one of Hubie’s bullies in the film, we can’t help but love Mrs. Hennessey’s incredibly high hair atop her well-done makeup and stunning white cloak, ever so perfectly representing this iconic horror character.

                                      

As one of our favorite monsters, the Bride is often seen right alongside other Universal Monsters who actually get a decent amount of screen time in their respective movies. The pinball machine Monster Bash is the perfect example of this! In the game, the pinball player must hit all the targets associated with every Universal Monster the Williams company decided to include in the machine: The Creature from the Black Lagoon, Dracula, Frankenstein’s monster, the Wolfman, the Bride of Frankenstein, and the Mummy. While it is super cool that the Bride of Frankenstein is included alongside these other iconic monsters in this incredible pinball machine, it is important to note that her appearance in the game, unlike her co-stars, centers around Frankenstein’s monster. As the player hits each target in an attempt to activate the Bride of Frankenstein bonus, we can see that she is getting ready for her wedding to Frankenstein as she blow-dries her hair and puts on her makeup.

 

                                                                                  

Along these same lines, another interesting element we see in relation to Frankenstein and his Bride is the idea that they are a cute couple worthy of being remembered in the form of couple’s costumes for years to come. Whether Bride of Frankenstein costume-wearers are successful at getting their partner to dress up like Frankenstein’s monster as Marie convinced Frank in Everybody Loves Raymond, the Bride makes it very clear that she is NOT into Frankenstein’s monster.

                                                                    

Was that not obvious by her hideous scream paired with Frankenstein’s defeated “she hate me” line? We’ve all seen failed relationship attempts onscreen, but it seems as though the Bride’s relevance in pop culture has caused all of us to completely forget that this is one of them! The title of the film – The Bride of Frankenstein – certainly does not help in reminding horror fans and Halloween celebrators of the fact that nothing at all went on between these two alleged love birds. Nevertheless, we see these two monsters depicted as romantic partners all over the place! Society has certainly forgotten Frankenstein’s failure to finesse his future wife, and you know what – we are totally okay with that.

                                                          

So, as you are dealing with your Halloween Hangover, we hope you remember that the Bride of Frankenstein will always be there for you as she haunts the memories of each and every one of our Halloween holidays, even though she certainly was not there for our friend Frank.