Published on the same day that the film was released (November 21, 1931), the MOTION PICTURE HERALD featured a two-page spread announcing Universal's FRANKENSTEIN. Unleashed upon an unsuspecting audience, it immediately broke box office records and once again buoyed Junior Laemmle's movie studio with unanticipated stacks of cash. Hidden from reporters, including anyone but the cast and crew during production, Jack Pierce's masterpiece is revealed here in all of its intended shock and awe.
The October 10, 1931 issue of MOTION PICTURE HERALD proclaimed that the 23-year-old Bette Davis had been "assigned" an important role in Universal's new picture, FRANKENSTEIN. The news was a bit odd since the picture had wrapped just 7 days before and Miss Davis would not be seen in the film. It was likely that Universal thought they had a potential mega-star on their hands and didn't want to take a chance with her in a film that might flop at the box office.
Instead, the role of Henry Frankenstein's fiance who was to become Mrs. Frankenstein in the sequel four years later went to Mae Clarke, Bette's next pictures were with RKO and Columbia, and FRANKENSTEIN was a huge box office success. Clarke's career after FRANKENSTEIN was marred by a nervous breakdown and marital problems. One wonders what direction Davis' career might have gone had she been cast in the role as the bride of Frankenstein.
