Frankenstein, Friday is one of those rare private “holidays” that can be traced back to a single person. Ron MacCloskey invented Frankenstein Friday in 1997 and also presents the Franky Award to those who contribute to keeping Mary Shelley’s legacy alive and well. I doubt this article will carry me as well as half a dozen or so other articles outlined as a collection of just potential-which I encourage you to spend next Friday in October by watching movies in which mad scientists trample the entire domain of God by messing around. which a man ought not to know.
“Frankenstein” is the iconic doctor looking to spit in the face of God and create life. Mary Shelley called his creation the modern Prometheus, to steal the secret of creation from God as Prometheus stole fire. Every mad scientist who has ever tried to infuse life into an inanimate form should be considered his own study in Frankenstein’s Friday. Fortunately, the history of horror and science fiction movies is overflowing with Promethean Hubris.
Metropolis
“Metropolis” is often confused with “Frankenstein” in the category of classic films, but they are usually separated by genre. While “Frankenstein” is considered a prototypical example of Universal Studios branding classic horror, it actually has a lot more in common with science fiction in “Metropolis” genre. Mad scientist Rotwang creates artificial life in the form of a double robotic woman coveted by the oppressed inhabitants of the titular community.
Ape Man
What could happen if Dr. Frankenstein was less interested in re-animating the dead text, who explored the nature of man as a primitive animal as well as the sophisticated nature of the first developments? So it turns out that a little something “Ape Man.” Gloriously low budgeted and two titans of the genre, Bela Lugosi and John Carradine, “Ape Man”. It’s a fitting choice for a marathon of movies about creating Frankenstein’s monster.
“The Manchurian Candidate” might not seem like a likely theme candidate to be associated with Friday’s Frankenstein, but take a closer look. You have sent scholars into a frenzy with their pursuit of Marxian ideals. “The Manchurian Candidate” in its original, black, comic and earlier form is about the story of Frankenstein as it applies to man’s ultimate reliance on the exercise of free will. The intrusion into God’s domain is established through the process of post-hypnotic suggestion. Can a human control another person’s mind and determine their fate via remote control?
For more on Timothy Sexton, check out;
Frankenstein, Dracula and Repression: Resistance Is Futile
Movies What do you say about how Mary Shelley came to write Frankenstein?
Universal Frankenstein Movies Studios 1930s and 1940s
