Review of Son of Frankenstein (1939) by Owen P — 29 Aug 2008

Good atmosphere, good performances (Rathbone, Karloff, and Lugosi especially), and a fairly intriguing plot (surprising for a contrived second sequel). Rathbone is a worthy successor to Colin Clive, playing the son of the original mad doctor.

Karloff once again makes the monster believable and sympathetic, although for some reason he has lost his ability to talk (he spoke and delivered possibly the best line of the film in Bride of Frankenstein).

The real problems are the discontinuities with the previous films, and the fact the nothing will ever measure up to the original film.