Son of Frankenstein (1939)

Basil Rathbone: Baron Wolf von Frankenstein

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Quotes 

• Elsa von Frankenstein : What a dreadful storm and awful lightning.

  Baron Wolf von Frankenstein : It's magnificent. Nothing in nature is terrifying when one understands it. Darling, my father drew that very lightning from heaven and forced it to his own will to bring life to a being he created with his own hands. Why should we fear anything?

• Baron Wolf von Frankenstein : Herr Lang, eh? Never heard of him before. Oh, well. I suppose the villagers will say I that killed him just the same.

  Inspector Krogh : No, not that you killed him, but that you know who did.

  Baron Wolf von Frankenstein : Really? But of course I know who did. Haven't you heard? The monster!

  [laughs] 

  Inspector Krogh : Yes, that's what they think.

  Baron Wolf von Frankenstein : Is it the old legendary monster of my father's time, or am I supposed to have *whipped* one up... as a housewife whips up an omelet?

• Baron Wolf von Frankenstein : This creature is indeed a monster. There's not one part of his physical being that's like that of human beings. From his warped brain, down to the tiniest argumentative cell of his huge carcass, he's unearthly. Every fantastic story told of him by the people of Frankenstein I now believe to be absolutely true. I, as a man, should destroy him. But as a scientist, I should do everything in my power to bring him back to conscious life, so that the world can study his abnormal functions... That would vindicate my father, and his name would be enshrined among the immortals.

• Baron Wolf von Frankenstein : I remember the stories Mother used to tell me when I was quite young in England. It wasn't my father's fault that the being he created... became a senseless, murderous monster. He was right. You understand that, don't you, dear? He was right. It was the unforeseen blunder of a stupid assistant... that gave his creation the brain of a killer instead of a normal one. And how my father was made to suffer for that mistake. His name has become synonymous with horror and monsters. Why, nine out of ten people call that misshapen creature of my father's experiments -- TRAIN CONDUCTOR VOICE: Frankenstein!

• Baron Wolf von Frankenstein : My son, herein lies my faiths, my beliefs and my unfoldments. A complete diary of my experiments, charts and secret formulas. In short, the sum total of my knowledge, such as it is. Perhaps you will regard my work with ridicule or even with a distaste. If so, destroy these records. But if you like me burn with the irresistable desire to penetrate the unknown, carry on. The path is cruel and torturous, carry on. I put secret after truth, you will be hated, blasphemed and condemned. You have inherited the fortune of the Frankensteins, I trust you will not inherit their fate.

• Baron Wolf von Frankenstein : It appears that my father thought that he could extract from lightning some super-violet ray of life-giving properties.

• Baron Wolf von Frankenstein : I should turn you over to Inspector Krogh!

  Ygor : No! Krogh no want dead man, Ygor is dead!

  Baron Wolf von Frankenstein : What are you talking about?

  Ygor : They hanged me once, Frankenstein... they broke my neck.

  Baron Wolf von Frankenstein : Hanged you... well, why did they hang you?

  Ygor : Because I stole bodies... they said...

• Baron Wolf von Frankenstein : [about the Monster]  Have you ever even seen him?

  Inspector Krogh : Most vivid recollection of my life. I was but a child at the time, about the age of your own son Herr Baron. The Monster had escaped and was... ravaging the countryside, killing, maiming, terrorizing. One night he burst into our house. My father took a gun and fired at him but the savage brute sent him crashing to a corner. Then he grabbed me by the arm!

  [Krogh lowers his wooden arm] 

  Inspector Krogh : One doesn't easily forget, Herr Baron, an arm torn out by the roots.

• Baron Wolf von Frankenstein : That's enough Benson. Left ventricle. And look here Benson, look at this. Do you know what those are?

  Benson : No, Sir.

  Baron Wolf von Frankenstein : Bullets. Two bullets in his heart but he still lives.

• Baron Wolf von Frankenstein : And what did the giant look like?

  Peter von Frankenstein : [stiffens his arms and legs as he walks]  Well, he was a great big man, with a hairy coat, and he walked like this...

• Baron Wolf von Frankenstein : How long has he been here?

  Ygor : All night.

  Baron Wolf von Frankenstein : You liar! He was in the village. You made him kill Herr Neumüller.

  Ygor : Yes! Why not? Neumüller kills me. Eight men say Ygor hang. Now eight men dead. All dead!

• Ygor : No. He cannot be destroyed. Cannot die. Your father made him live for always. Now he is sick. Make him well, Frankenstein!

  Baron Wolf von Frankenstein : I don't know whether I...

  Ygor : Your father made him! And Heinrich Frankenstein was your father too.

  Baron Wolf von Frankenstein : Do you mean to imply, then, that, uh... *that* is my brother?

  Ygor : But his mother was lightning.

  Baron Wolf von Frankenstein : Oh, electricity. We'll see.

• Baron Wolf von Frankenstein : Come in, come in, come in.

  Inspector Krogh : Well, did you find Ygor?

  Baron Wolf von Frankenstein : Yes, I got rid of him. Have a drink?

  Inspector Krogh : How did you get rid of him?

  Baron Wolf von Frankenstein : I killed him! He tried to murder me with his hammer, so I shot him. What are you gonna do about it?

  Inspector Krogh : Compliment you. For it was he who undoubtedly killed Benson.

  Baron Wolf von Frankenstein : Benson?

  Inspector Krogh : He's dead. Murdered. I just found his body in a secret passageway off the nursery. Here's his watch. It was in the possession of your son. And here's a bit of chain that was attached to Benson's vest. But Ygor didn't do it. Nor did you. Nor was it done by any ghost. There's a monster afoot and you know it! He's in your control. By heaven, I think you're a worse fiend than your father. Where is this monster? Where is he? I'll stay by your side until you confess. And if you don't, I'll feed you to the villagers, like the Romans fed Christians to the lions.

  Baron Wolf von Frankenstein : I wouldn't put it past you. In the meantime, will you have a drink? Or would you like to play darts?

• Inspector Krogh : But I'm curious to know why you chose that place to work.

  Baron Wolf von Frankenstein : It was my father's.

  Inspector Krogh : But without a roof?

  Baron Wolf von Frankenstein : Oh, I sealed it up with some heavy canvas.

  Inspector Krogh : Don't the sulphur fumes bother you?

  Baron Wolf von Frankenstein : No, no no, not at all.

  Elsa von Frankenstein : Sulphur fumes?

  Inspector Krogh : Oh, uh, forgive me, Baron. Perhaps I shouldn't have mentioned that. I thought madam knew.

  Elsa von Frankenstein : Tell me.

  Baron Wolf von Frankenstein : Well, you see, darling, our family history states that the structure was built by the Romans over a natural sulphur pit, and used by them as mineral baths.

  Inspector Krogh : One of the first health resorts, perhaps.

  [Chuckling] 

  Inspector Krogh : Health resort.

  Baron Wolf von Frankenstein : Yes, possibly.

  Inspector Krogh : But during the succeeding centuries, the boiling sulphur increased in its intensity, until now, I believe, it is over 800 degrees Fahrenheit.

  Baron Wolf von Frankenstein : Exactly.

  Inspector Krogh : And even the stoutest Roman couldn't venture into that today without being parboiled to the bone in just a few moments.

  Elsa von Frankenstein : Wolf, you do pick the strangest places.

  Inspector Krogh : I'd like to see how you fixed it up.

  Baron Wolf von Frankenstein : I'll have you come there some time... and parboil you.

• Elsa von Frankenstein : [There is a banging noise offscreen]  That awful knocker. Fritz, will you see who it is, please? Oh, Wolf, couldn't we install an old-fashioned doorbell? That boom almost makes me jump out of my skin.

  Baron Wolf von Frankenstein : Yes, dear. I'll have a bell put in.

  Inspector Krogh : That knocker must have been used in the old days to arouse the entire household. A sort of call to arms in times of danger.

• Baron Wolf von Frankenstein : [Elsa is in bed. Wolf hides a revolver beneath his pillow. He is about to blow out the candle when she speaks]  Wolf. What happened to Benson?

  Baron Wolf von Frankenstein : I don't know, really, dear. I've been working him pretty hard lately. Maybe he just wanted to go out and get drunk.

  Elsa von Frankenstein : But Benson doesn't drink.

  Baron Wolf von Frankenstein : Oh, well, perhaps he does sometimes. Uh, but he'll be back in the morning bright and early, you'll see. Don't worry about him.

  Elsa von Frankenstein : It's you I'm worried about. You aren't yourself. Are you keeping something from me?

  Baron Wolf von Frankenstein : No, darling. Is this place getting on your nerves?

  Elsa von Frankenstein : I hate it here, Wolf. I'm terribly afraid all the time.

  Baron Wolf von Frankenstein : I'm sorry, dear. I'm going to send you and Peter away in the morning. I want you to take a trip to Brussels and I'll follow you in a few days.

  Elsa von Frankenstein : I've tried so desperately to match your bravery, but...

  Baron Wolf von Frankenstein : Oh, my dear!

  Elsa von Frankenstein : I'll be alright.

  Baron Wolf von Frankenstein : There's a good girl. Where are you going?

  Elsa von Frankenstein : To get Peter. I'll feel better having him in here with me.

• Elsa von Frankenstein : Inspector!

  Inspector Krogh : Madam.

  Baron Wolf von Frankenstein : My dear, I assume from the inspector's attitude and pointed implications that I am under arrest.

  Elsa von Frankenstein : Arrest?

  Baron Wolf von Frankenstein : Yes, it appears that we've returned to the Middle Ages. The villagers have laid siege to the castle and are crying out for blood, blood, blood!

  Inspector Krogh : Madam, I...

  Baron Wolf von Frankenstein : A man is murdered a mile away, and do you know what killed him? My name. The very name of Frankenstein burst his heart. And now the happy little villagers are clamoring for my blood!

  Elsa von Frankenstein : Wolf!

  Inspector Krogh : I'm afraid the baron is in a humorous mood this morning. I suppose it has its humorous side, but you're not under arrest, madam. I'm merely here to guarantee you protection against any unprovoked assault.

  Baron Wolf von Frankenstein : "Unprovoked assault"!

  Elsa von Frankenstein : Wolf! Inspector, you mean it isn't safe for us to leave?

  Inspector Krogh : I'm afraid not, madam. But is there any reason why you shouldn't be perfectly safe here?

  Baron Wolf von Frankenstein : If one simpleminded villager as much as sets foot inside that door, I'l shoot him like a dog! And you can tell them that for me, as long as you won't allow me to tell them myself!

  Elsa von Frankenstein : Wolf! I've never seen him so violent.

  Inspector Krogh : Madam, last night I missed my dinner, and this morning I've had no breakfast. Now do you think...

  Elsa von Frankenstein : Certainly. I'll order some at once.

• Baron Wolf von Frankenstein : Superstitious, blundering idiot! Prying, insinuating, accusing. I'll kick him out of the house! I'll not be heckled by a stupid, intolerable policeman!

  Elsa von Frankenstein : Wolf, the way you're carrying on, if I were a policeman, I'd be suspicious myself.

  Baron Wolf von Frankenstein : You would?

  Elsa von Frankenstein : Yes, I would! Mysterious things have happened. A murder in the village, our own dear Benson disappears for no reason. They probably think you, like your father, have created another monster, or...

  Baron Wolf von Frankenstein : Why, he's got even you, my own wife, believing that I...

  Elsa von Frankenstein : I believe nothing. I don't care about Krogh. But I'm afraid, for you, for Peter. And only you, Wolf, can restore my confidence.

  Baron Wolf von Frankenstein : Oh, please, darling, Elsa, please, please have faith in me! I'm sorry that I lost control of myself. I-I-I've no reason for being nervous like this, but, but I've been working too hard. A terrific experiment - one that I wanted to surprise you with.

  [*He gazes up at the portrait of his father*] 

  Baron Wolf von Frankenstein : One that would establish me and my -

  [Elsa also looks at the painting. Wolf hastily turns her face towards him] 

  Baron Wolf von Frankenstein : - and my work. My work. It's something outstanding in the world of science. But believe me, darling. Believe me, there's nothing to be afraid of.

  Elsa von Frankenstein : I wouldn't be afraid, if I hadn't, for the first time, sensed that you were afraid.

  Baron Wolf von Frankenstein : Me? Oh, silly!

  [He embraces her] 

  Baron Wolf von Frankenstein : Everything's under control. I'll not lose my temper again, you'll see.

  [They both jump at the sound of the doorknocker] 

• Elsa von Frankenstein : Peter, this is Inspector Krogh.

  Peter von Frankenstein : How do you do?

  Inspector Krogh : How do you do, sir?

  Peter von Frankenstein : You're not supposed to shake hands with our left hands.

  Elsa von Frankenstein : Peter!

  Inspector Krogh : I'm sorry. That was very, very rude of me.

  Peter von Frankenstein : You're not supposed to wear gloves in the house, either.

  Baron Wolf von Frankenstein : Son!

  Inspector Krogh : Sorry about that too. But you see I only have one real arm. This one isn't mine.

  Peter von Frankenstein : Well, whose is it?

• [last lines] 

  Baron Wolf von Frankenstein : Goodbye, gentlemen.

  Burgomaster : Goodbye, Baron.

  Inspector Krogh : Goodbye, Peter.

  Peter von Frankenstein : Goodbye, General.

• Baron Wolf von Frankenstein : Are you telling me the truth? You didn't kill him?

  Ygor : No, no, no! Why, I scare him to death. I don't have to kill him to death.

• Inspector Krogh : Herr Baron, shall we go into the library?

  Baron Wolf von Frankenstein : I prefer to remain here, thank you.

  Inspector Krogh : Shall we go into the library?

  Baron Wolf von Frankenstein : I don't mind telling you, Inspector, that as a guest in my own house, you'll find me extremely disagreeable.

• Baron Wolf von Frankenstein : Oh, darling. This is Inspector Krogh of the police.

  Elsa von Frankenstein : [She extends her right hand]  How do you do?

  Baron Wolf von Frankenstein : [He uses his left hand to shake hers]  Madam.

  Baron Wolf von Frankenstein : He called to assure us that he's at our service.

  Elsa von Frankenstein : It's very good of you, Inspector. Perhaps you'll honor us one night soon at dinner.

  Inspector Krogh : Madam, I... I shall be honored, madam.

  [He bows and exits] 

  Elsa von Frankenstein : Wasn't he odd?

  Baron Wolf von Frankenstein : Yes. He said that if the villagers bothered us, he'd take a hand.

• Peter von Frankenstein : [Pointing to a mounted head]  What's that, Daddy?

  Baron Wolf von Frankenstein : That? That's a boar.

  Peter von Frankenstein : Like Aunt Fanny?

  Elsa von Frankenstein : No, Peter, not like Aunt Fanny. A wild boar.

  Peter von Frankenstein : I hope I don't have teeth like that.

  Amelia : Why, darling?

  Peter von Frankenstein : They'd be too hard to clean.

• Baron Wolf von Frankenstein : Have you seen Benson?

  Ygor : Yes.

  Baron Wolf von Frankenstein : When?

  Ygor : About two hours ago.

  Baron Wolf von Frankenstein : Where?

  Ygor : Here. He say you tell him, monster walk again. He came to see. Monster walk. Benson run, run, run!