Frankenstein
Originally released in 1931
Boris Karloff as The Monster
A true classic, Frankenstein was brought
to life by Mary Shelley in 1818. When Universal Pictures realized
that horror movies could make them lots of money, the went first to Bela
Lugosi to play the part of The Monster, but he turned it down since he
felt that with all the make-up involved no one would know it was him.
Instead, Boris Karloff was given the role and Frankenstein became
the most successful horror film of its time. The story of a mad scientist
who regenerates dead tissue in order to revive a human being, this movie
differs from the others since it provokes many emotions such as love and
humor. The franchise that Frankenstein started for the studio
made millions of dollars with many sequels and remakes, and also gave later
writers and directors a basis for spoofs, most notably Mel Brooks' Young
Frankenstein.
L.C. Subject Headings
The following Library of Congress Subject Heading
is for use in searching the on-line catalog for materials pertaining to
Frankenstein.
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Frankenstein.
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Frankenstein films – History and criticism.
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Horror Films.
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Horror Films – Catalogs.
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Horror Films – Encyclopedias.
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Shelley, Mary, 1797-1851.
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Shelley, Mary Wollstonecraft, 1797-1851.
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Shelley, Mary Wollstonecraft, 1797-1851. Frankenstein.
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Shelley, Mary Wollstonecraft, 1797-1851. Frankenstein,
or, The modern Prometheus.
Reviews
The New York Times Film Reviews 1913-1968.
Vol. 1, 1913-1931. New York: The New York Times & Arno Press,
1970.
[Davis Ref: PN 1995. N4 v1]
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Frankenstein – p. 778, Dec. 5, 1931; 21:2.
Variety Film Reviews 1907-1980. Vol.
4, 1930-1933. New York: Garland Publishing Inc., 1983.
[Davis Ref: PN 1995 .V34 v4]
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Frankenstein – Dec. 8, 1931.
Essays and Criticism
Svelha, Gary J. & Susan. We Belong
Dead: Frankenstein on Film. Baltimore, M.D.: Midnight Marquee
Press, 1997.
[Davis, 7th floor stacks: PN1995.9.F8 W4 1997]
For a book that goes through the history
of Frankenstein
in motion pictures, this critique is sure to provide
the user with lots of information. Going back as far as 1910, We
Belong Dead covers the entire spectrum of this story. Much of
this book does not pertain to the Universal days, but the chapters that
do have great critical analysis which are definitely worth the read.
Original Novel
Shelley, Mary. Frankenstein; or, the
Modern Prometheus. Orchard Park, N.Y.: Broadview Press,
Ltd., 1999. (originally published in 1818)
[Davis, 7th floor stacks: PR5397.F7 1999]
This version of the 1818 classic is one
of the best in the collection at Davis (which has over a dozen versions
of Frankenstein). Containing the original text, which can
be difficult to find for some older works, the Broadview publication also
has a lengthy introduction which includes, among other things, notes on
the content and a portion about Shelley’s education and a chronology of
her life. There are also six appendices, one of which has variants
from the 1831 release of Frankenstein and another that has reviews
from the original publication.
Video
Frankenstein. Universal City, C.A..:
MCA Videocassette, 1980.
[UL NonPrint: 65-V180]
Often described as the most excellent
horror movie that Universal Pictures released, Frankenstein combines
the basic elements of fear with other characteristics such as humor and
love. The makeup for this movie is incredible, and similar to what
happened in the casting of Dracula, Karloff was not the primary
star first chosen to the play the part of The Monster. After the
success of Dracula Lugosi was asked to play the role of Dr. Frankenstein’s
creation, but declined on the grounds that with all the makeup no one would
know it was him. A movie that has had dozens of sequels and remakes,
this 1931 production is as brilliant today as it was 70 years ago.