Son of Frankenstein (1939)

Josephine Hutchinson: Elsa von Frankenstein

Photos 

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?

• Elsa von Frankenstein : Inspector, I'm more terrified every minute.

  Inspector Krogh : Madam, I personally guarantee to get you and your son out of here in the morning.

  Elsa von Frankenstein : And Wolf - he's a bundle of, of uncontrollable nerves, and...

  Inspector Krogh : Yes. I'm going in now to... comfort him.

• 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] 

• Peter von Frankenstein : Here we are.

  Elsa von Frankenstein : Peter! Peter! Peter! Peter! Open the door!

• 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?

• 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.