Early Franky

FRANKENSTEIN-1910-This ancient artifact from Thomas Edison was once thought lost and usually considered the first version of Mary Shelley’s famous novel. However it’s now believed there was an earlier version. It’s quite crude and the film is damaged but it’s great to see such an early production. The acting is much like most silent films, very theatrical. In this story Dr. Frankenstein creates life in the form of a very strange skinny creature (Charles Ogle) with a big nose and wild hair. His creation scene is the best special effect. The creature rants at the doctor and terrorizes his fiancée Elizabeth (Mary Fuller). Eventually (the running time is only 16 mins.) the creature sees itself in a mirror and disappears!

The only existing copy of Edison’s production was found in the 1950’s by a film historian who sat on for decades before allowing it to be released to the general public. The DVD version I have also features a restored copy of NOSFERATU.

Screenwriter-director J. Searle Dawley was famous in his time and made versions of TREASURE ISLAND, THE PRINCE & THE PAUPER and THE FOUR FEATHERS. He made his last film in 1917 and died in 1949. Monster portrayer Ogle was a prolific actor from 1908 through 1923. It’s said he did his own make-up for the role. Mary Fuller made over 200 acting appearances (and wrote a few movies too). Her last film was in 1923 and her post-acting life was a mystery until it was discovered she died in a mental hospital in 1973. No one really knows what she did or what happened to her in those ensuing 56 years!



Thanks for reading!