Videos Let You Invite Frankenstein In Again And Again

Halloween wouldn’t be Halloween without a visit with the big bolt-headed guy himself, Frankenstein’s monster. And with Allhallows Eve just a day away, it’s the perfect time to check out several film incarnations of Mary Shelley’s 19th-century Gothic novel.

We just dare you to watch these with the lights off!

Although it’s not the first version of Shelley’s classic, James Whale’s 1931 “Frankenstein” (MCA/Universal) is the most famous. Boris Karloff made an indelible impression as the terrifying, confused monster created by Dr. Henry “It’s Alive” Frankenstein (a nervous Colin Clive). Several superscary scenes that were originally cut have been restored. Mae Clark and John Boles also star.

Even better is Whale’s 1935 sequel “Bride of Frankenstein” (MCA/Universal). This time around, the good Dr. F (Clive) creates a bride (Elsa Lanchester) for his lonely, love-starved monster (Karloff). Terrific fun, with lots of humor and chills - and check out the bride’s nifty hairdo. Ernest Thesiger also stars as a bizarre doctor.

Karloff made his last appearance as the monster in the 1939 “Son of Frankenstein” (MCA/Universal, $15). Basil Rathbone plays the late doctor’s son, who returns to his father’s stark castle and becomes obsessed with reviving the monster. Bela Lugosi and Lionel Atwill also star.

A great companion piece is Mel Brooks’ daffy 1974 spoof “Young Frankenstein” (Fox, $15).

Lon Chaney Jr. sheds his Wolfman fur to play the monster in the entertaining 1942 entry “The Ghost of Frankenstein” (MCA/ Universal, $15). Lugosi also is on hand as his deformed sidekick, Ygor.

In 1942’s “Frankenstein Meets the Wolfman” (MCA/Universal, $15), Lugosi takes his one and only stab at playing the monster. In this chilling outing, the Werewolf (Chaney) discovers that Dr. Frankenstein is dead but that his creation is alive and well.

In 1944’s so-so “House of Frankenstein” (MCA/Universal, $15), Karloff plays an evil scientist who escapes from prison and, with the help of his hunchback servant (Lugosi), revives the monster, Dracula and the Wolfman.

Bud Abbott and Lou Costello hit box-office gold with the joke-filled 1948 horror comedy “Abbott & Costello Meet Frankenstein” (MCA/Universal, $15). The boys play baggage clerks who deliver to a wax museum a mysterious crate that, unbeknown to them, contains the not-so-dead remains of Frankenstein and Dracula.

Chaney, Lugosi and Glen Strange also star.