Frankenstein

What place does the Frankenstein

character have in popular culture?

Where have we seen the Frankenstein character in popular

culture?
• Movies?
• Cartoons?
• Advertisements?
• Television?
• Toys?

Take a few minutes and discuss this idea with those around
you…
 The rise of Frankenstein

 Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus, by Mary

Shelley, was first published in 1818 in London
 Critical reception to the novel was low, but the novel was
an immediate popular success
 By 1823, the book had already been interpreted as a play -
Presumption; or The Fate of Frankenstein, by Richard
Brinsley Peake
 Many theatrical renditions followed throughout the 19th
century
1910 - The first film adaptation of the tale was done by
Edison Studios. The 16 minute silent film was thought
to be lost until it was rediscovered in 1980.
 1931 – The most famous of the film versions of
Frankenstein was produced by Universal Studios. Boris
Karloff starred as the monster.
 1948 – Universal Pictures produced a total of
eight Frankenstein-based films, culminating in
the comedy, Abbott and Costello Meet
Frankenstein
 1966 – Filmic adaptations continue to spiral away from Mary
Shelley’s original text. In this sci-fi/western/horror B-movie from
1966, the legendary American outlaw, Jesse James, goes against the
monster in Jesse James Meets Frankenstein’s Daughter.
 More Variations…

The video game, Fable II, contains a

Frankenstein as superhero, in quest where a character named Victor is
the DC comic book series on a quest to reanimate the body of a
dead woman.
 And more…

Frankenstein, as celebrity As political activist?

spokesman?
Now to find out how it all
started…
 For homework: Read
Letters 1-4 and Chapter
one of Mary Shelley’s
Frankenstein
 Left: Steel engraving for
frontispiece to the revised
edition of Frankenstein by
Mary Shelley in 1831.