Produced by Thomas Edison, this 1910 film is the first film adaptation of Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley’s beloved novel, Frankenstein. What makes this short film stand out is that it’s a rather haunting portrayal of Frankenstein from start to finish.
In James Whale’s 1931 film, the birth of the monster is rather triumphant for Victor Frankenstein, only becoming horrifying when his creation goes out and wreaks havoc on the town. But in this film, the monster never murders anyone, but his birth is a haunting sight. Rather than being birthed by Mother Nature, Frankenstein births him by mixing potions together in a large pot, and his body sprouts out like a plant. Seeing the bones of a man slowly grow out while on fire is eerie. And this is a terrifying sight of the monster, played by Charles Ogle. While Karloff’s look is iconic, from his stapled hairline, to the bolts in his neck, this monster is a hunchback with hair all over.
For a film from 1910, nearly 116 years old, this is a solid horror film that, in my opinion, is pretty terrifying despite the lack of sound and dialogue.
Produced by Thomas Edison, this 1910 film is the first film adaptation of Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley’s beloved novel, Frankenstein. What makes this short film stand out is that it’s a rather haunting portrayal of Frankenstein from start to finish.
In James Whale’s 1931 film, the birth of the monster is rather triumphant for Victor Frankenstein, only becoming horrifying when his creation goes out and wreaks havoc on the town. But in this film, the monster never murders anyone, but his birth is a haunting sight. Rather than being birthed by Mother Nature, Frankenstein births him by mixing potions together in a large pot, and his body sprouts out like a plant. Seeing the bones of a man slowly grow out while on fire is eerie. And this is a terrifying sight of the monster, played by Charles Ogle. While Karloff’s look is iconic, from his stapled hairline, to the bolts in his neck, this monster is a hunchback with hair all over.
For a film from 1910, nearly 116 years old, this is a solid horror film that, in my opinion, is pretty terrifying despite the lack of sound and dialogue.
