Arguably the best Frankenstein film of them all! Details!
Director Erle (not a typo!) C. Kenton went all out on this 1944 black-and-white film to present a Frankenstein movie which all horror fans could embrace, regardless of their preference for a particular monster. Here, we get Dracula (John Carradine), Lawrence Talbot/The Wolfman (Lon Chaney, Jr.), and Frankenstein himself (Glenn Strange)!

As if that were not enough, this cake is superbly iced with Boris Karloff (as the chief protagonist, Doctor Niemann), the lovely Anne Gwynn (Flash Gordon Conquers the Universe - The Complete Saturday Morning Serial), George Zucco (playing the snake oil sideshow man, Doctor Lampini), Lionel Atwill (cast as Arnz), and J. Carrol Naish ( Dr. Renault's Secret) as Daniel, Niemann's hunch-backed, Igor-like assistant! In addition to the monsters, we get a band of Gypsies, hateable monster-victims, and Doctor Lampini's (Zucco) cool sideshow of the Dracula remains.

THE STORY (Warning! Spoilers ahead!): Doctor Niemann and Daniel escape prison when a lightning bolt explodes the wall of their cells. Niemann has promised the hunch-backed Daniel that he'll give him a new body if only they can locate the original Baron Frankenstein's journal and scientific notes. With that endeavor in mind, they soon fall upon the lamentable Doctor Lampini and take over his sideshow as Niemann has a little vengeance in mind against those who had him imprisoned, prior to setting out in search of Baron Frankenstein's notes.

It's lucky that Lampini's wagon contained the remains of Dracula because Niemann removed the wooden stake which kept him dead in his casket and then utilized the vampire to kill one of Niemann's former antagonists. Unfortunately for Dracula, the authorities catch on fast and they pursue him until the sun rises... and you know what that means for Dracula! Niemann has also fled the town, just ahead of Dracula in a double-cross (pun intended), and at the next village Daniel rescues a Gypsy girl from her brutal shill. They're all run out of this village too but Niemann doesn't care a whit because the remnants of Baron Frankenstein's castle are quite nearby.

Once in the ruins of the old estate, Daniel inadvertently discovers both the Frankenstein Monster and The Wolfman in an ice cave (great effects!), deep under the castle. Niemann commences retrieval of the two and as the ice melts away from The Wolfman, he changes back into the unfortunate Lawrence Talbot who luckily knows just where to dig out Baron Frankenstein's journal. Niemann promises to replace Talbot's brain (with that of one of his local enemies) in return for his assistance in traveling to his own decrepit estate; meanwhile, Daniel has fallen for the Gypsy girl but the latter falls in love with Talbot, a ménage-à-trois which leads to big complications.

Niemann is gratified in seeing a couple more of his former antagonists done in (thank you, Mr. Wolfman!) as he sets to work on re-animating the Frankenstein Monster in his home laboratory, much to the frustration of both Talbot and Daniel who each wanted THEIR problems dealt with first. I absolutely must stop there to avoid telling the end of the movie but rest assured that it's as good as the body of the film.

The filmscore/soundtrack for this one is terrific (and appropriate) and was generated by a number of competent folks: Hans J. Salter, musical director; Paul Dessau, composer; Charles Previn, composer; Max Rapp, composer; Milton Rosen, composer, and; Frank Skinner, composer. All except for Salter went uncredited. Special effects were brilliantly handled by John P. Fulton. The aspect ratio is 1.37:1 (full-frame) and the entire movie was filmed at Universal Studios in California.

As this is a Universal Films production there was a fairly good budget established for it, but "Kharis the Mummy" was ultimately excised from the script due to a lack of available funds. Bela Lugosi was also slated to have played Dracula but Universal's producers were displeased with his most recent performance for them as The Frankenstein Monster in Frankenstein Meets Wolfman. "The House of Frankenstein" isn't perfect as there are a few silly boners, the most prevalent of which is when Larry Talbot (Chaney) transforms into the Wolf Man for the final time, his hands aren't made up. The astute viewer can spot this just before he crashes through the glass door. Also, while not really a goof, no member of "Baron Frankenstein's family" ever appears in this film!

If I have a problem at all with this film it's only that I wish George Zucco's role as Doctor Lampini would have played out just a little longer before Daniel (Naish) strangled him to death. I'm Zucco's biggest fan on the planet (see my Amazon Listmania list: "George Zucco... almost live!!!") and I think that they could have carried him in the story for a bit longer. But we can't have everything.

In summary, this 71-minute treasure exudes mega-action and the filmscore/soundtrack has become quite renowned: House of Frankenstein, a rare actuality for an older horror movie. You'll also see one of the better vampire transformations ever filmed in one of these older horror flicks. This version is, of course, the VHS one and the DVD print is much better -- unfortunately, it is not available by itself: Frankenstein Meets the Wolf Man / House of Frankenstein, or, Frankenstein - The Legacy Collection (Frankenstein / Bride of / Son of / Ghost of / House of).

I highly recommend this fine old horror film to appropriate viewers.

Universal's Second Monster Mash
This 1944 follow-up to "Frankenstein Meets the Wolf Man" lacks the moody atmosphere and slickness of its predecessor. "House of Frankenstein" wastes the Universal gallery of monsters in a terribly contrived story. Though Boris Karloff returns to the fold as Dr. Niemann, the actor wishes he were in another film - preferably a Val Lewton production. Director Erle C. Kenton would do a better job with the immediate sequel, "House of Dracula" (1945).

A MAD DOCTOR A HUNCHBACK AND SOME MONSTERS WALK INTO A BAR..................!
A fun action packed sequel to 'Frankenstein Meets the Wolfman', this film doesn't waste any time getting started. Karloff is back but, this time playing a mad doctor. Karloff and his hunchback assistant run into Dracula and are done with him before the first half is over. The second half of the film takes up where 'Frankenstein Meets The Wolfman' leaves off. Contrived to say the least but, tough to dislike! This is also Glen Strange's first outing as the Monster and I have read that Karloff gave him instructions on how to play the monster. It shows and I think Strange is at his best here and the best Frankenstein since Karloff. This is available on DVD on the Frankenstein Legacy collection and a double bill with 'Frankenstein Meets The Wolfman'. The DVD transfers are very good. I rate it 3 3/4 stars.

The Return of Boris Karloff...
1944's "House of Frankenstein" was one of a string of short horror films seeking to capitalize on the existing stable of classic Universal Pictures monsters. In this entry, Boris Karloff gets to play a demented mad scientist named Niemann, who escapes from prison and goes in search of the missing research of his idol, Dr. Frankenstein. Along the way, he finds Dracula (played by John Carradine), confined to a coffin by a wooden stake, and liberates him to take revenge on Niemann's enemies.

Niemann, Dracula, and Niemann's hunchbacked assistant arrive at the ruined Castle Frankenstein, where they find not only the late doctor's research notes, but also the Frankenstein and Wolfman monsters, frozen in an icy cavern under the castle. Niemann revives the two monsters and sets about his evil experiments. The suspicious inhabitants of the local village storm the castle, setting up a thrill-packed if campy conclusion.

The pacing of the movie is hectic and the story rather disjointed; the viewer may well suspect that the intent was to pack as many monsters into the film as possible. Fortunately, the movie succeeds in being good creepy fun almost in spite of itself, thanks to Karloff's gleeful turn as mad scientist and Lon Chaney Jr's reprise of his role as agonized man/werewolf.

The Last of the Monster Movies
It was a dark and stormy night. A wagon passed outside Neustadt Prison. A prisoner wanted to duplicate Dr. Frankenstein's experiment. Lightning flashed, then part of the prison collapsed. Two prisoners escaped. Professor Lampini has exhibits like Dracula's skeleton. The men who helped Lampini now replace him. The discussions tell of past history. The exhibit puts on a show at Reigelberg; their papers are in order. Some people believe in the old legends. Then the stake is removed from Dracula's skeleton, setting him free. A young couple meet a count in a coach; he takes them for a ride. Soon Herr Hussman has a fatal encounter. A young girl has a fatal attraction to Count Latos. The police arrive and chase the Count's coach. The girl is saved, the Count is exposed to sunlight.

There is a musical interlude with a gypsy dancer. They are ordered to move on. Professor Lampini is also ordered to move on. The village has seen too many monsters. Daniel rescues the dancing girl; she appreciates a man who is kind. Lampini explores the ruined castle and finds an ice cavern. Will they discover the Wolfman and the Monster? What will happen if they are freed from the ice? Local warming does the trick. Larry Talbot locates Frankenstein's journal. Then he drives the wagon to Visaria. Lampini and Daniel follow in another wagon with the dormant monster. The spooky music foretells the coming events. Niemann selects volunteers for his experiments. When a dead body is found the mayor wants to keep it quiet (just like in "Jaws").

Ilonka understands how a pistol with a silver bullet will protect her. The men of the village discover the events at the castle. Will they finally accomplish their mission and put an end to the monsters?