3. Frankenstein
Few screen presences have had such a cultural and historical impact as that of Boris Karloff made up as Frankenstein's monster in James Whale's seminal 1931 adaptation of Mark Shelley's classic novel. The flatted head, vacant stare and bolts protruding from his neck have left an indelible imprint on the minds of millions, so much so that it has become the definitive appearance for the character. Frankenstein is a film that more than deserves its enduring reputation as one of the greatest horror movies ever made - far from being a cheap thrill, Whale shoots with an incredible flair for invention and an eye for striking compositions which make full use of the potential for black and white photography. Karloff inhabits the role of Frankenstein's monster with just the right degree of sensitivity required - the reactionary, narrow-minded villagers (standing in for society as a whole) are the true villains, after all. Of course, it's Heinrich Frankenstein himself who we have to thank (or blame) for this particular tale, a man hell-bent on bringing humans back to life via the power of electricity no matter what the price. It's interesting to note that some of the special effects were achieved by using a real life Tesla coil, made by a Nikola Tesla himself, who, while perhaps not mad, was certainly an eccentric genius on a level rarely seen throughout history.