'Frankenstein is a 1931 Universal Pictures horror film directed by James Whale. It stars Boris Karloff as Frankenstein's monster, Colin Clive as the monster's creator Henry Frankenstein and Mae Clarke as Henry Frankenstein's love interest Elizabeth. The script was based on a stage play by Peggy Webling which was itself loosely based on the novel Frankenstein by Mary Shelley. The film was a popular and critical success and spawned several sequels.