Frankenstein (1910)

Frankenstein, a young medical student, trying to create the perfect human being, instead creates a misshapen monster. Made ill by what he has done, Frankenstein is comforted by his fiancée ... See full summary »

Director:

J. Searle Dawley

Writers:

Mary Shelley (novel), J. Searle Dawley

Stars:

Mary Fuller, Charles Ogle, Augustus Phillips

Cast

Uncredited cast:
Mary Fuller	...	Elizabeth (uncredited)
Charles Ogle	...	The Monster (uncredited)
Augustus Phillips	...	Frankenstein (uncredited)

Storyline

Frankenstein, a young medical student, trying to create the perfect human being, instead creates a misshapen monster. Made ill by what he has done, Frankenstein is comforted by his fiancée but on his wedding night he is visited by the monster. A fight ensues but the monster, seeing himself in a mirror, is horrified and runs away. He later returns, entering the new bride's room, and finds her alone.

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Plot Keywords:

monster | frankenstein | mirror | alchemy | one word title | 

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Genres:

Short | Horror | Sci-Fi

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Certificate:

Unrated

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

18 March 1910 (USA)

Also Known As:

Frankenštajn

Company Credits

Production Co:

Edison Manufacturing Company

Technical Specs

Runtime:

16 min

Sound Mix:

Silent

Color:

Black and White (tinted)

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

This is one of the only Frankenstein films where the monster is truly created. All Frankenstein films that followed assembled body parts from various corpses to make the monster. In this film, Frankenstein uses chemicals and "potions" to create the monster. The "creation" scene was made by filming a monster-dummy burning, and then playing the footage backwards.

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Connections

Version of Frankenstein (2004)

User Reviews

Good Version

Frankenstein (1910)

*** (out of 4)

Historic adaptation of the famous novel from Edison was considered lost for decades but thankfully a print (now two prints) was discovered to be in pretty good condition. The film tells the story of a doctor (Augustus Phillips) who creates a monster (Charles Ogle) and soon learns to regret it. This is certainly a classic to the genre that certainly lacks in many departments but there's no denying the underline power of the story and some very good touches throughout the running time. I've always been fascinated by the make up effects here. They are quite simple yet effective and one can't help but notice the similarities to the work Chaney would do on himself in THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME. It's easy to see how the creation sequence was done but it's still quite surreal and very memorable. Those looking for a "true" adaptation of the novel won't find it here but the film remains an interesting part of history and on that level it's a must see for anyone interested in films.