Frankenstein Lives!

With Halloween on its' way and the USA channel premiering their original made-for-TV-movie, Frankenstein this Sunday, October 10th, it got me to thinking about my favorite Frankenstein movies. When I got to researching not only Frankenstein but the Frankenstein-theme, I was surprised just how many of my favorite films are connected to Frankenstein. Some more subtly than others.

The 1931 version of Frankenstein, starring Boris Karloff, is my favorite. You just can't beat the classics. Always copied; never duplicated. Director James Whale did a great job of keeping the essence of the book present throughout the film, as well as the mood. In 1935, the sequel, The Bride of Frankenstein was released. This is one of the few times I've actually loved the a sequel as much as the original. I'd even go so far as to say I like The Bride of Frankenstein more. Both are timeless classics that continue to stand the test of time.

With the success of the Universal monster movies, audiences couldn't get enough Frankenstein. In 1957 I Was A Teenage Werewolf was released. With the success of Werewolf, the same year, I Was A Teenage Frankenstein was also released. This time around, the Frankenstein monster is constructed from the various body parts of a group of unfortunate teen athletes out for a joyride, who just happen to have a wreck near the good doctor's house. Thinking fast, he gets to work piecing together the body, while having to resort to grafting on the face of an abducted teenager from Lover's Lane. He "ain't no cutie-pie," as Alice Cooper's song, Teenage Frankenstein points out.

Actor Whit Bissel plays the good doctor this time around. You may be familiar with him from some of his other films: Creature from the Black Lagoon, Target Earth, Monster On Campus or even I Was A Teenage Werewolf.

The Monster is played by Gary Conway. Beefcake, anyone? Gary also went on to costar in 1958's How to Make a Monster, along with his Werewolf counterpart. Another fun movie, you should check out, if you get the chance.

And now for one of my favorite movies: Mel Brooks' Young Frankenstein. Everything about this movie makes it an instant classic: the cast, the story, the performances, are all inspired. The pinnacle of Mel Brooks' career. Being a big fan of Gene Wilder, Cloris Leachman and Madeline Kahn, I can't help but love this movie.

Young Frankenstein was released in 1974 and has since become a classic. In this version of the Frankenstein story, Gene Wilder portrays Dr. Frederick Frankenstein ("Frahnk-un-steen," not "Frank-en-stein"), Madeline Kahn his uptight fiancee, Marty Feldman as Igor, Peter Boyle as the Monster and of course, Cloris Leachman as creepy housekeeper Frau Blücher (cue startled horse whinny). A Halloween staple.

• Body Parts. © 1991- When a man loses his arm in a car accident, the arm of an executed death row inmate is grafted on in its place, with murderous consequences. Favorite scene: The handcuffed car chase!
• The Bride. © 1985- Sting is Doctor Frankenstein in this remake of the classic "Bride of Frankenstein". He succeeds in creating the perfect woman: "Eva," played by Jennifer Beals. Favorite scenes: Bringing Eva to life in the lab. The masquerade ball.
• Weird Science. © 1985- Two nerdy boys create the perfect woman. "Lisa," via their computer, but she turns out to be more than they bargained for. Favorite scene: When Lisa goes to pick up Gary at his parents' house.
• Edward Scissorhands. © 1990- An artificial man with scissors for hands lives completely alone until a local woman befriends him and brings him to her idyllic suburban home. Favorite scenes: The flashbacks with Vincent Price. When Edward meets Kim for the first time.

Sunday, October 10th marks the debut of the USA channel's newest addition to the Frankenstein mythology. 200 years after Mary Shelley's novel the brilliant but mad Doctor has sustained his creature and himself over two centuries through genetic experimentation. In present-day America a detective is investigating a series of horrific murders which leads her to the doctor and his creature.

Parker Posey plays Detective O'Conner and Vincent Perez (ROWR!) plays the Frankenstein Monster. Since the USA channel released Cherry Falls and Terror Tract a few years ago, I've given them the benefit of the doubt when it comes to their original movies. I'll be tuning in.