Universal Studios has produced some of the greatest and most iconic monster movies of all time. Beginning in the 1920s, “Universal Monsters” became a household name distinguishing the series of horror, suspense, and science fiction films produced through 1960. These films, led by Dracula, Frankenstein’s Monster, the Wolf Man, the Invisible Man, and plenty more were some of the studio’s greatest early successes.

In 1931, the studio brought Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein to life, featuring Boris Karloff as the monster and Colin Clive as the scientist Dr. Frankenstein. James Whale directed the adaptation, focusing on the dangers of irresponsible scientific exploration that evolved into a story about a misunderstood misfit who will forever be an outsider.

Frankenstein produced the rare sequel that surpassed the original when The Bride of Frankenstein was released in April 1935. In addition to being a great sequel, it also featured the first female Monster in the world of Universal horror, played by Elsa Lanchester (who also appeared as Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley).

As the director, Whale pushed the visual effects more in this film and infused dark humor, which wasn’t in its predecessor. What makes this movie so memorable is the emphasis on the Monster’s emotions and humanity. The Monster wanders through the countryside seeking companionship while feeling lonely. He finds his creator’s old mentor and they concoct a plan to create a mate for the Monster. The scene when the Bride meets the Monster has become one of the most iconic scenes in monster movies.

Like its contemporaries, The Bride of Frankenstein was immortalized in exceptional movie poster artwork. Posters from Universal’s monster movies are among the most valuable in the hobby, regularly commanding five and six-figure prices at auction. The style D one-sheet shows bold closeups of the monster and the bride with brilliantly contrasting colors. The bride is in shades of orange while the monster is painted in shades of green. Syncing them together are subtle streaks of green in her hair and blazing orange in his eyes and between the pair is a lightning bolt leading down to the title in a rickety font. The style D one-sheet has sold for up to $334,600 in public auctions.