countess-zaleska:ajd1219:countess-zaleska:“Film historian-interviewer Gregory Mank got to the root o
countess-zaleska:ajd1219:countess-zaleska:“Film historian-interviewer Gregory Mank got to the root of the mystery behind the actress’s curiously bird-like quality in her performance as the Bride: Lanchester’s conception of the part was based partially on observing the swans in Regents Park, particularly in the way they “hissed” when provoked. Staring wide-eyed, jerkily reacting to every movement around her, it’s a tightly coiled performance of sheer instinct and energy. The Bride’s “look” is a classic ’30s concept, more of a hairstyle than a makeup. Lanchester’s natural red hair was teased up in an unworldly, fright-wig style, a wavy white streak suggesting a baptism by lightning. It’s a cartoonish design, perhaps too over-the-top, but executed with Jack Pierce’s usual finesse and artistry.” – Universal Horrors: The Studio’s Classic Films, 1931-1946, 2d ed., 2011, p.127Bride of Frankenstein (1935) dir. James WhaleOh, yes! Elsa was a beautiful red-haired woman. “So testified actor Charles Laughton, in reference to a woman who also happened to be his wife, Elsa Lanchester. Her appearance matched his description; outwardly; her popping eyes and red hair […] concealed the witty, intellectual woman behind them.” (x) Portrait of Elsa Lanchester (1925) by Doris Clare ZinkeisenThere’s a discussion about whether she wore a wig in “Bride of Frankenstein” or not. The “Museum of the Moving Image” in New York has a recreation of the wig supposedly worn by her on display. People say it was a mix of her real hair and extensions, but other (including Elsa herself) say it was all hers! Well, at least the red part. Still, she was in fact red-haired, and well-known for that! Ads and posters actually display Elsa with a light colored hair.The Bride of Frankenstein (Universal, 1935). Title Lobby Card (11" X 14") -- source link