LITTLE ROCK — Here continues the countdown of the most influential, horrifying, wonderfully disgusting and entertaining horror films over the last 123 years in chronological order. These are the must-sees. Look for more horror motion pictures throughout October in this month's Halloween cinema tribute: Macabre Movie Magic.

No. 7

"Frankenstein" (1931)

Directed by James Whale, the film adaptation of "Frankenstein" drastically veers from the story presented in Mary Shelley's 1818 novelization. But Dr. Frankenstein (Colin Clive) does the unthinkable and creates life in the form of a hideous monster (Boris Karloff).

Co-starring: Mae Clarke, Edward Van Sloan, Dwight Frye and Frederick Kerr.

Runtime: 70 minutes

Rated: Not rated.

Did You Know?

- Following the success of Universal's "Dracula" (1931), which opened earlier that same year, the studio wanted their new star Bela Lugosi to play the part of the monster. But Lugosi turned down the role, because the creature didn't have any dialogue in the picture.

- 44-year-old Boris Karloff was a virtual unknown when director James Whale spotted him in Universal's commissary. And that chance encounter ended up changing the course of Karloff's life. Karloff went from unknown to "uncanny."

- In fact, even after the production, Karloff was such an unknown actor that he wasn't invited to the premiere of "Frankenstein" (1931). Karloff's name doesn't even appear in the opening credits.

- The monster's shoes, which is a mainstay of the iconic costume, weighed 13 pounds each. It took special effects artist Jack Pierce four hours to make up Karloff and Boris' costume weighed a total of 48 pounds.

- "Frankenstein" (1931) was banned in Kansas, because its content was that of "cruelty and tended to debase morals."

- Boris Karloff played the monster three times for Universal Pictures. After "Frankenstein" (1931), Karloff returned for both "Bride of Frankenstein" (1935) and "Son of Frankenstein" (1939).

www.steventhrash.com