The Curse of Frankenstien (1957)

This is the film that started Hammer's famous horror cycle, and basically made the studio. This adaption of Frankenstein focuses mostly on the doctor, and gives hims more back story, and frankly makes him more interesting then he's ever been before. This is in large part do to the top notch performance of Peter Cushing, whose far to old to play the part, but still (Sorry Colin Clive). Anyway the story is set in Switzerland (which is interesting in its self, so for things are set in Switzerland), during what from the costume designs I guesstimate to be the 1830's or 40's. Upon the death of his mother a young Baron Frankenstein (played in flashback by Melvyn Hayes) agrees to continue to take care of a destitute distant cousin and her daughter, and highers for himself an expert tutor Dr. Paul Krempe (Robert Urquhart), whose really the hero of the piece. Kempe and Frankenstein get along swimmingly, and the tutor pupal relationship quickly evolves into a collegial one with the two working on all sorts of experiments, including successfully bringing a puppy back to like. Krempe thinks they should go ahead and publish there findings, but the Baron wants to hold back, he has become obsessed with he idea of creating life, and at first Paul reluctantly goes along with him. Around this time the distant cousins daughter (Elizabeth) from earlier having grown up and become Hazel Court, travels to Victor's to become the Barons wife, which Frankenstein's maid and mistress (Valerie Gaunt) is none to pleased about. Paul now refuses to help Frankenstein with his monster (Christopher Lee) and tries to get Elizabeth to leave for her own safety, without explaining why, which of course she will not do. Valerie Gaunt tries to find some way to blackmail the Baron into marrying her, she finds the monster, and Frankie lets it kill her. The monster later gets out, Dr. Paul agrees to help Frankenstein capture and kill it, and satisfied that the monster is no more leaves for greener pastures, but then Peter Cushing just digs the thing up an keeps working on it. The whole thing ends with the monster burnt, Frankenstein's head on the chopping block, Paul and Elizabeth an item, and a local priest slightly confused. An enjoyable expansion on the story of Frankenstein largely made by Cushings performance. ***