The Frankenstein Files: How Hollywood Made a Monster (Video 2004)

Director:

David J. Skal

Writer:

David J. Skal

Stars:

David J. Skal, Rick Baker, Rudy Behlmer

Cast

Complete credited cast:
David J. Skal	...	Himself - Host
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Rick Baker	...	Himself
Rudy Behlmer	...	Himself
Ivan Butler	...	Himself
Bill Condon	...	Himself
Dwight David Frye	...	Himself (as Dwight D. Frye)
Donald F. Glut	...	Himself
Richard Gordon	...	Himself
Jan-Christopher Horak	...	Himself
Paul M. Jensen	...	Himself
Sara Karloff	...	Herself
Bob Madison	...	Himself
Gregory W. Mank	...	Himself

Storyline

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Plot Keywords:

film making | hollywood | character name in title

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Genres:

Documentary | Horror

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

2004 (Netherlands)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Universal Studios Home Video

Technical Specs

Runtime:

45 min

Color:

Black and White Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

This documentary is on both the Universal Classic Monster Collection & Monster Legacy Collection DVDs for Frankenstein.

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Connections

References The Mummy (1932)

User Reviews

Terrific Documentary

Frankenstein Files, The (1999)

**** (out of 4)

Terrific documentary that was released on the initial DVD release of FRANKENSTEIN back in 1999. Film historian David J. Skal directs as well as hosts this documentary that takes a look at the making of Universal's FRANKENSTEIN and the different directions it took. We hear about how Bela Lugosi was originally set to play the monster but he passed and then we hear how Boris Karloff was discovered. The documentary also goes into detail about certain issues people had with the film and what parts would eventually have to be cut out in future releases. Rick Baker, Rudy Behlmer, Bill Condon, Sara Karloff, Dwight David Frye, Donald Glut, Richard Gordon, Greg Mank and Paul M. Jensen are just a few of the folks interviewed and all have rather interesting comments and ideas about the film. I think the best aspect of this documentary is that we get a pretty good history of the film and I'm sure those unfamiliar with the movie will see it in a different light. Having the children of Karloff and Frye are hand was pretty nice even though neither one of them were actually on the set when the movies were being made. Another major plus is that we get a few brief discussions on the sequels but Universal would give BRIDE OF FRANKENSTEIN its own documentary. I doubt die- hard fans are going to learn anything new here but it's still a very entertaining and pleasant documentary that does everything you'd want it to (except turn up the lost Lugosi test footage, of course).