Son of Frankenstein

SmokeScreeners review:     

"Son of Frankenstein is the third and final time that Boris Karloff plays Frankenstein's monster.  The plot has enough holes that it could have been called 'The Sponge of Frankenstein'.  First, the monster returns after being seemingly killed twice.. at the end of both Frankenstein, and Bride of Frankenstein.  Michael Myers of Halloween fame has nothing on this creature!  Second, the actual son of Frankenstein (Basil Rathbone) is never mentioned or discussed in the previous films.

One thing the film has going for it is moodiness.  The black and white cinematography and the great performances create a very authentic, creepy feeling.  This scene, in which the monster kills a local citizen, is a great example:

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Of course, the entire murder takes place in a silhouette... a silhouette that includes an enormous pipe and its billowing smoke.

One other interesting scene of smoking occurs when Inspector Krogh (Lionel Atwill) pays a visit to the Frankenstein Castle to confront the Baron von Frankenstein (Basil Rathbone).  Years earlier, the Inspector lost his arm, and it has been replaced by a mechanical arm.  Watch the dexterity required to light a cigarette with this rather stiff prosthetic:

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Any smoke who believes that secondhand smoke doesn't affect bystanders should take another look at that scene.  Could Inspector Krogh possibly generate a larger cloud of smoke?

Finally, fans of Young Frankenstein should recognize Inspector Krogh as the inspiration for Inspector Kemp... same mechanical arm... same love of tobacco..."

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