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James Whale: Frankenstein’s Gay Father

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**Editor’s Note: James Whale: Frankenstein’s Gay Father is a continuation of iHorror’s Horror Pride Month celebrating the LGBTQ Community and their contributions to the genre.

Of all the men and women who helped shape the early days of horror on film, few could do what James Whale did when he managed to elicit empathy for a misshapen “monster” in 1931’s Frankenstein.

Perhaps, it is because few so few of those creators knew what it was to be considered monstrous themselves.

Life as an out of the closet gay man in the 1930s was far from easy, even in Hollywood. There was more than stigma. There was outright hatred.

In many ways, not much has changed, and yet there was James Whale, out and as proud as he could be in 1930 when, after a huge success directing a stage play called Journey’s End starring none other than Colin Clive, he was offered a five year contract with Universal Pictures and given the chance to direct any of the properties they owned at the time.

Whale being who he was, chose Frankenstein. Something in it spoke to him, sparked his imagination, and before long he was creating the motion picture that created a gold standard few have met since.

He brought Colin Clive with him to star as the ill-fated Henry Frankenstein, and he also had one more actor in mind for his masterpiece: Boris Karloff.

“His face fascinated me,” Whale explained later. “I made drawings of his head, adding sharp bony ridges where I imagine the skull had joined.”

Boris Karloff in Frankenstein (1931)

Despite Karloff being his own choice, there was reportedly still some bad blood between director and actor as filming began. Film historian, Gregory Mank, suggests that Whale became jealous of the attention that Karloff was receiving during filming and devised his own revenge in response.

As the climax of the film draws near, the Monster carries Henry Frankenstein over his shoulder up a steep hill to a massive mill. Whale made Karloff carry 6’4″ Colin Clive up that hill over and over again in repeated takes which reportedly resulting in the actor having serious back pain for the rest of his life.

Regardless of what issues might have been going on behind the scenes, Frankenstein was a huge success for Whale, Karloff, and Universal Pictures.

Straight audiences were captivated by the masterful storytelling, beautifully filmed scenes, and the harrowing tale of a man who dared to play God.

Gay audiences, then and now, see all of those things and something more. Though the queer subtext would be much less subtle in Bride of Frankenstein, Whale’s first foray into the genre still spoke volumes.

The Monster’s rejection by his “father” struck an immediate chord. Rejection by one’s family when they find out you’re queer still happens far too often and is one of the most damaging chapters in our own stories, and it’s important to note that the Monster only succumbs to destructive behaviors in the face of that rejection, something that also haunts our community.

Also, though he is painted as a Monster, there is a certain sensitivity to Frankenstein’s creation. One can easily view it as a feminine quality, and thus he takes on certain gender fluid characteristics.

And let’s not forget that fateful moment when he is chased by maddened villagers with torches and pitchforks bent on his destruction. Every LGBTQ person in the world knows that fear all too well.

Though the instruments of violence may have changed–some are even called “laws”–that fear and anxiety looms to this day.

It’s no wonder, knowing that Whale created these and other moments in the film, that the Monster has become a bit of a queer icon and this legacy has been written about in journals and scholarly articles repeatedly in the last decades.

Some members of the trans community have even found an ally in Whale’s “monster,” with writers and activists like Susan Stryker pointing out the the similarities between the creature’s creation and her own surgeries to become who she was meant to be.

And let us not forget the ultimate homage to Whale’s adaptation of Shelley’s masterpiece: The Rocky Horror Picture Show.

We can only theorize what Whale would think of this legacy, but as we peer into the open way in which he lived his life, I think it’s safe to assume that he would have been proud.

After 1931’s Frankenstein, Whale went on to direct three more genre classics: The Dark Old House, The Invisible Man, and Bride of Frankenstein. Each of them are revered for their own style and each is filled with the director’s gay sensibilities.

Boris Karloff and James Whale on the set of Bride of Frankenstein

He was reticent to continue genre work by the time Bride came to be fearing that he would be pigeon-holed as a horror director. Sadly, by 1941, his feature filmmaking career had ended, but he had been wise with his finances and was sitting on a considerable sum of money.

At the urging of his longtime partner, David Lewis, the director took up painting and lived a rather lavish lifestyle in his beautiful home.

It was on a tour of Europe that Whale met 25 year old Pierre Foegel and informed Lewis that he intended for the younger man to move in with him when he returned. Lewis was naturally shocked; it was the end of a relationship that had lasted over 20 years. Remarkably, the two remained friends afterward.

By 1956, Whale was suffering from serious bouts of debilitating depression and on top of that he suffered two strokes. On May 29, 1957, he was found dead at his home. He had drowned in the pool.

The death was ruled an accident but years later, shortly before his own death, David Lewis revealed a suicide note that he’d found and kept hidden.

Whale was only 67 years old at the time of his death, and though his end was tragic, his was a life well-lived, and it is only right that we honor him during our celebration of Horror Pride Month.

I’d like to think that it would make him smile.

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New Poster Reveal For Nicolas Cage’s Survival Creature Feature ‘Arcadian’ [Trailer]

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Nicolas Cage Arcadian

In the latest cinematic venture featuring Nicolas Cage, Arcadian emerges as a compelling creature feature, teeming with suspense, horror, and emotional depth. RLJE Films has recently released a series of new images and a captivating poster, offering audiences a glimpse into the eerie and thrilling world of “Arcadian”. Scheduled to hit theaters on April 12, 2024, the film will later be available on Shudder and AMC+, ensuring a wide audience can experience its gripping narrative.

Arcadian Movie Trailer

The Motion Picture Association (MPA) has given this film an “R” rating for its “bloody images,” hinting at the visceral and intense experience awaiting viewers. The film draws inspiration from acclaimed horror benchmarks like “A Quiet Place,” weaving a post-apocalyptic tale of a father and his two sons navigating a desolate world. Following a catastrophic event that depopulates the planet, the family faces the dual challenge of surviving their dystopian environment and eluding mysterious nocturnal creatures.

Joining Nicolas Cage in this harrowing journey are Jaeden Martell, known for his role in “IT” (2017), Maxwell Jenkins from “Lost in Space,” and Sadie Soverall, featured in “Fate: The Winx Saga.” Directed by Ben Brewer (“The Trust”) and penned by Mike Nilon (“Braven”), “Arcadian” promises a unique blend of poignant storytelling and electrifying survival horror.

Maxwell Jenkins, Nicolas Cage, and Jaeden Martell 

Critics have already begun to praise “Arcadian” for its imaginative monster designs and exhilarating action sequences, with one review from Bloody Disgusting highlighting the film’s balance between emotional coming-of-age elements and heart-pounding horror. Despite sharing thematic elements with similar genre films, “Arcadian” sets itself apart through its creative approach and action-driven plot, promising a cinematic experience filled with mystery, suspense, and relentless thrills.

Arcadian Official Movie Poster

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‘Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey 3’ Is a Go with Enhanced Budget and New Characters

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Winnie the Pooh 3

Wow, they’re churning things out fast! The upcoming sequel “Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey 3” is officially moving forward, promising an expanded narrative with a larger budget and the introduction of beloved characters from A.A. Milne’s original tales. As confirmed by Variety, the third installment in the horror franchise will welcome Rabbit, the heffalumps, and the woozles into its dark and twisted narrative.

This sequel is a part of an ambitious cinematic universe that reimagines children’s stories as horror tales. Alongside “Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey” and its first sequel, the universe includes films such as “Peter Pan’s Neverland Nightmare”, “Bambi: The Reckoning,” and “Pinocchio Unstrung”. These movies are set to converge in the crossover event “Poohniverse: Monsters Assemble,” slated for a 2025 release.

Winnie the Pooh Poohniverse

The creation of these films was made possible when A.A. Milne’s 1926 children’s book “Winnie-the-Pooh” entered the public domain last year, allowing filmmakers to explore these cherished characters in unprecedented ways. Director Rhys Frake-Waterfield and producer Scott Jeffrey Chambers, of Jagged Edge Productions, have led the charge in this innovative endeavor.

The inclusion of Rabbit, heffalumps, and woozles in the upcoming sequel introduces a new layer to the franchise. In Milne’s original stories, heffalumps are imagined creatures resembling elephants, while woozles are known for their weasel-like characteristics and a penchant for stealing honey. Their roles in the narrative remain to be seen, but their addition promises to enrich the horror universe with deeper connections to the source material.

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How to Watch ‘Late Night with the Devil’ from Home: Dates and Platforms

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Late Night With The Devil

For fans eager to dive into one of this year’s most talked-about horror films from the comfort of their own home, “Late Night with the Devil” will be available for streaming exclusively on Shudder starting April 19, 2024. This announcement has been highly anticipated following the film’s successful theatrical release by IFC Films, which saw it earning rave reviews and a record-breaking opening weekend for the distributor.

“Late Night with the Devil” emerges as a standout horror film, captivating audiences and critics alike, with Stephen King himself offering high praise for the 1977-set film. Starring David Dastmalchian, the movie unfolds on Halloween night during a live late-night talk show broadcast that disastrously unleashes evil across the nation. This found footage-style film not only delivers scares but also authentically captures the aesthetic of the 1970s, drawing viewers into its nightmarish scenario.

David Dastmalchian in Late Night with the Devil

The film’s initial box office success, opening to $2.8 million in 1,034 theaters, underscores its wide appeal and marks the highest opening weekend for an IFC Films release. Critically acclaimed, “Late Night with the Devil” boasts a 96% positive rating on Rotten Tomatoes from 135 reviews, with the consensus praising it for rejuvenating the possession horror genre and showcasing David Dastmalchian’s exceptional performance.

Rotten Tomatoes score as of 3/28/2024

Simon Rother of iHorror.com encapsulates the film’s allure, emphasizing its immersive quality that transports viewers back to the 1970s, making them feel as if they are part of the eerie “Night Owls” Halloween broadcast. Rother lauds the film for its meticulously crafted script and the emotional and shocking journey it takes viewers on, stating, “This whole experience will have viewers of the Cairnes brothers’ film glued to their screen… The script, from beginning to end, is neatly sewn together with an ending that’ll have jaws on the floor.” You can read the full review here.

Rother further encourages audiences to watch the film, highlighting its multifaceted appeal: “Whenever it is made available to you, you must attempt to view the Cairnes Brothers’ latest project as it will make you laugh, it will creep you out, it will amaze you, and it might even strike an emotional cord.”

Set to stream on Shudder on April 19, 2024, “Late Night with the Devil” offers a compelling blend of horror, history, and heart. This film is not just a must-watch for horror aficionados but for anyone looking to be thoroughly entertained and moved by a cinematic experience that redefines the boundaries of its genre.

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