Brilliant and gifted (but overreaching) Doctor Frankenstein (Clive) sets out to piece together a man using various body parts.

Most importantly, Frankenstein is possessed by the desire to capture that which sparks the soul...to create life itself.

He succeeds - but his creation turns out to be an uncontrollable monster who sets out on a dastardly spree of killing terror.

Based on author Mary Shelley's gothic novel of the same name published in 1818, this horror gem is both a study in man's hubristic nature as well as a critique of our inability to effectively sympathize with the disenfranchised.

Whether it's the audience's first glimpse of the walking Monster, the transcendental 'It's alive!' scene, or the Monster's doomed 'playtime' with a young girl, director Whale's clear talent for expertly merging story, setting and theatrics is evident throughout.

Singlehandedly set actor Karloff on a clandestine path as the genre's foremost horror icon...and created pop culture history.

A must see for all.