The Extrapolation of Doctor Praetorius & His Association With Satan

Blog Post #1: By Matthew Henninger

             In the history of the numerous Frankenstein films, the concept of re-creating life from the undead is a common theory, aspiration, and question that has yet to be answered. Doctor Praetorius (Played by Ernest Thesiger) from The Bride of Frankenstein (1935) is not only interested in this reincarnation, but also possesses demonic qualities that allow him to surpass this ambition to bring new life to life that's already dismantled. Instead, he uses his abilities of deception, manipulation, and persuasion to become a master puppeteer and feed his desires through controlling others. 

            

             At the beginning of this scene, Doctor Praetorius offers the Count a drink, stating that gin is "my only weakness" (1935). This is the first of many instances throughout the film that showcases Doctor Praetorius' humanistic form of Satan, as gin has the tendency to break down morale and conscious reasoning: which is representative of the concept of sin and temptation. He continues the scene by revealing to the Count a series of miniature creatures that he had grown from cultures and had given each an identity based on their personality. These creatures included a chatter-box Queen, a sexually frustrated King, a disapproving Bishop, a Devil with whom Praetorius points out a resemblance to himself, a Mermaid who symbolizes the mismatch and connection of land and sea, and a Ballerina that only dances to Mendelosshn's "Spring Song". Each of these creatures enunciates a characteristic about human existence, such as the King actively trying to pursue the Queen in an attempt to engage in sexual intercourse with her. This pursuit is incorporated within the scene as a method of instigating humor as Doctor Praetorius discusses with the Count how he sometimes wonders "if life would be much more amusing if we were all devils" and there would be "no nonsense of angels and about being good." These statements are representative of Satan's desire to foster the destruction of order and wreak havoc against human existence. Praetorius' claims are easily missed as the camera has focused it's attention on the King's pursuit and the orchestra additionally plays cheerful and light music in the background to null him. 

Doctor Praetorius flatters himself in mentioning a resemblance to the Devil creature.
The Bride of Frankenstein (1935)

            As the scene continues, Praetorius explains to the Count his desire to create a woman for the Monster, someone it can "be fruitful and multiply" with. This line is of particular interest based on the term "fruitful" and it's metaphorical relation to Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, where Eve succumbs to desire, temptation, and consumes the fruit. In context of this scene, Praetorius is persuading the Count to also succumb to the Count's own desire (the fruit) of re-incarnation, "follow the lead of nature", and take a bite of what true power tastes like. In this sense, the audience catches their first glimpse of Doctor Praetorius at his most finest, representing Satan as the Snake in the Count's Garden of Eden.