Dr. Pretorius To a new age of gods and monsters!
Played by Ernest Thesiger 
Bride of Frankenstein (1935) · 40 quotes
Bride of Frankenstein (1935) · 40 quotes
Most-quoted character in Bride of Frankenstein (1935): in 16 of its 40 quotes
Most scenes with: Henry Frankenstein (8), The Monster (4)
Tell him that Dr. Pretorius is here on a secret matter of grave importance and must see him alone, tonight.
More lines from Dr. Pretorius
6 quotes Dr. Pretorius Dr. Pretorius Booted, my dear Baron, is the word for knowing too much.
Dr. Pretorius Do you like gin? It is my only weakness... [toasting with Henry] To a new world of gods and monsters! Ha, ha. The creation of life is enthralling, distinctly enthralling, is it not?
Dr. Pretorius My experiments did not turn out quite like yours Henry. But science, like love, has her little surprises - as you shall see.
Dr. Pretorius There is a pleasing variety about my exhibits. My first experiment was so lovely that we made her a Queen. Charming, don't you think? Then of course, we had to have a King. Now, he's so madly in love with her that we have to segregate them.... now, now. I have to be careful with the king. now behave. My next production looked so disapprovingly at the other two that they made him an Archbishop... he seems to be asleep. I must wake him up. the next one is the very Devil - very bizarre, this little chap. There's a certain resemblance to me, don't you think? Or do I flatter myself? I took a great deal of pains with him. Sometimes I have wondered whether life wouldn't be much more amusing if we were all devils, and no nonsense about angels and being good. Oh! there's the king out again. even royal amours are a nuisance. poor archbishop. he has his hands full. there. that will keep you quiet. My little Ballerina is charming but such a bore! She won't dance to anything but Mendelsohnn's Spring Song and it gets so monotonous. My next is very conventional, I'm afraid. But you can never tell how these things will turn out. It was an experiment with seaweed. Normal size has been my difficulty. You did achieve size. I need to work that out with you.
Dr. Pretorius [in a mausoleum]
I should wait here for a bit. I rather like this place.
Scenes with Dr. Pretorius
9 scenes Pretorius We must work together.
Never! This is outrageous. I'm through with it. I'll have no more of this hell-spawn! As soon as I'm well, I'm to be married and I'm going away.
Pretorius I must beg you to reconsider. You know, do you not, that it is you, really, who are responsible for all those murders? There are penalties to pay for killing people. And with your creature still at large in the countryside...
Are you threatening me?
Pretorius I had ventured a hope that you and I together, no longer as master and pupil but as fellow scientists, might probe the mysteries of life and death.
Never! No further!
Pretorius And reach a goal undreamed of by scientists...You and I have gone too far to stop, nor can it be stopped so easily. I also continue with my experiments. That is why I am here tonight. You must see my creation!
Have you also succeeded, bringing life to the dead?
Pretorius If you, Herr Baron, will do me the honor of visiting my humble abode, I think you will be interested in what I have to show you. After twenty years of secret scientific research and countless failures, I also have created life as we say: 'In God's own image.'
I must know. When can I see it?
Pretorius I thought you might change your mind. Why not tonight?
Pretorius My experiments did not turn out quite like yours Henry. But science, like love, has her little surprises - as you shall see.
Good heavens, Doctor. what are these?
Pretorius There is a pleasing variety about my exhibits. My first experiment was so lovely that we made her a Queen. Charming, don't you think? Then of course, we had to have a King. Now, he's so madly in love with her that we have to segregate them.... now, now. I have to be careful with the king. now behave. My next production looked so disapprovingly at the other two that they made him an Archbishop... he seems to be asleep. I must wake him up. the next one is the very Devil - very bizarre, this little chap. There's a certain resemblance to me, don't you think? Or do I flatter myself? I took a great deal of pains with him. Sometimes I have wondered whether life wouldn't be much more amusing if we were all devils, and no nonsense about angels and being good. Oh! there's the king out again. even royal amours are a nuisance. poor archbishop. he has his hands full. there. that will keep you quiet. My little Ballerina is charming but such a bore! She won't dance to anything but Mendelsohnn's Spring Song and it gets so monotonous. My next is very conventional, I'm afraid. But you can never tell how these things will turn out. It was an experiment with seaweed. Normal size has been my difficulty. You did achieve size. I need to work that out with you.
But this isn't science! It's more like black magic.
Pretorius You think I'm mad. Perhaps I am. But listen Henry Frankenstein. While you were digging in your graves, piecing together dead tissues, I, my dear pupil, went for my material to the source of life. I grew my creatures like cultures; grew them, as Nature does - from seed. But still, you did achieve results that I have missed. Now think what a world-astounding collaboration we should be, you and I - together.
No! No, no, no.
Pretorius Leave the charnel house and follow the lead of Nature - or of God if you like your Bible stories. Male and Female created He them. Be fruitful and multiply. Create a race, a man-made race upon the face of the earth. Why not?
I daren't. I daren't even think of such a thing.
Pretorius Our mad dream is only half realized. Alone, you have created a man. Now together, we will create his mate.
You mean...?
Pretorius Yes. A woman. That should be really interesting.
Pretorius [toasting to a skull]
I give you the Monster. [The Monster enters] Oh, I thought I was alone. Good evening.
Smoke? Friend.
Pretorius Yes, I hope so. Have a cigar. They are my only weakness.
Drink. Good. You make man like me?
Pretorius No. Woman. Friend for you.
Woman - Friend - Yes - I want Friend, like me.
Pretorius I think you can be very useful. And you will add a little force to the argument if necessary. Do you know who Henry Frankenstein is and who you are?
Yes, I know. Made me from dead. I love dead. Hate living.
Pretorius You're wise in your generation. We must have a long talk, and then I have an important call to make.
Woman - Friend - Wife.
Pretorius All the necessary preparations are made. My part in the experiment is complete. I have created by my method a perfect human brain, already living but dormant. Everything is now ready for you and me to begin our supreme collaboration.
No, no. Don't tell me of it. I don't want to hear. I've changed my mind. I won't do it!
Pretorius I expected this. [opens the door, revealing The Monster]
No, not that.
Pretorius Oh he's quite harmless, except when crossed.
Frank - en - stein.
Pretorius Yes, there have been developments since he came to me.
Sit down.
What do you want?
You know.
This is your work?
Pretorius Yes.
I'll have no hand in such a monstrous thing.
Yes, must.
Get him out! I won't even discuss it until he's gone.
Pretorius [To Monster]
Go now. [The Monster growls] Go!
Must do it!
Never! Nothing can make me go on with it.
Pretorius It is interesting to think, Henry, that once upon a time, we should have been burnt at the stake as wizards for this experiment.
Doctor, I think the heart is beating! Look, it's beating, but the rhythm of the beat is uneven.
Pretorius Increase the saline solution. Is there any life yet?
No. Not life itself yet...This action only responds when the current is applied.
Pretorius You must be patient. The human heart is more complex than any other part of the body. Look, the beat is increasing.
Yes! ...It stopped.
Pretorius Shall I increase the current?
This heart is useless. I must have another, and it must be sound and young.
It was a very fresh one.
Where did you get it?
I gave the gendarme fifty crowns.
What gendarme?
It was a ...police case.
Pretorius Yes, very sad. Although we can't bother about that now.
Work!
Where's Elizabeth? Have you brought her?
She wait. I wait.
I'm exhausted. I must get sleep.
Work. Finish. Then sleep.
I can't work like this. He must go away. Send him away.
Pretorius I'll settle him for a little while.
Pretorius Get away from that lever. You'll blow us all to atoms.
...
Elizabeth
Henry! Open the door! Henry!
Get back! Get back!
Elizabeth
I won't unless you come!
Yes, go! You live! Go! [To Pretorius] You stay! We belong dead!
