I avoid monster stories for that reason. One of the perks of retirement was no longer needing to track homicides, gather data & facts about the perpetrators & enablers and whether agencies & the “justice system” appropriately intervened and/or responded. Then came 2025. Now in a broader sense it is everyone’s job.
Steven Beschloss...it would be great to have you as an (even free) subscriber to Andelman Unleashed ... I'd be delighted to reciprocate (and Recommend)!
Young Frankenstein (1974). The combined genius minds and talents of Mel Brooks, Gene Wilder, Madeleine Kahn, Peter Boyle and Marty Feldman, supported by Cloris Leachman, Teri Garr, Ken Mars and Gene Hackman makes this parody an unequaled classic. From the incomparable acting talent, to the story arc, the lines, the innuendo: comedic horror at it finest – both true to Shelley’s overarching madman/monster/crowd trope, yet also uniquely brilliant, especially when the Monster evolves into a Puttin’ on the Ritz, erudite, sophisticated, Man (Monster) Of The World Chad (Hunk). Brilliant
I'm a Frankenstein fan in general. My favorite previous version is Young Frankenstein but this version rivals it by capturing the true spirit. I appreciated the portrayal of Victor's father figure as well, as being similar as that of Mary Shelley's father.
I found this version a little too "talky", but it was an interesting take on it. Of course, the Creature demanding Frankenstein make him a companion - that is also a bit evil.
Someone in the group I watched it with pointed out the colors - each character seems to have a color associated with them, although Elizabeth's changes a bit as she's with her father vs William vs Frankenstein. So if you watch it - keep an eye on that.
The others in the group really liked the movie; I thought it was good, just overly talky. Plus - yeah, ok, part of this was the time and place it was set in, but it was very heavily male.
I’m not sure it’s considered a ‘horror’ movie, but “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” is one of my favorites. Starring Tim Curry, it is certainly a cult classic. The audience adds to the movie by making comments that are always used in the same places in the film. There are also ‘props’ thrown around the theater, it’s just far out enough to be funny as well as shocking.
… Well, I was walking down the street just a-having a think
When a snake of a guy gave me an evil wink
He shook-a me up, he took me by surprise
He had a pickup truck and the devil's eyes
He stared at me and I felt a change
Time meant nothing, never would again
… Let's do the Time Warp again
Let's do the Time Warp again
[Back to Summer 2023, when our President could have kept his one term promise and let the rest of the Dem field have a fair chance and his VP > 107 days. Definitely, we need the time warp or failing that, Peabody and Sherman's Wayback Machine!]
I would name the Republican Party; and right wing think tanks funded by the likes of the Koch Brothers; as the real Dr Frankenstein. What they did to American democracy set the stage for a huckster like Trump to take power and subvert democracy.
These fools thought they were building a country they could rule over, only to have Trump come in and claim the reigns of power.
They were stupid, arrogant, destructive, cruel, greedy, entitled. Their monster - Trump - is not sympathetic. He was built from their own bodies and incorporates all their evil.
Super article and dive into this totally entertaining version of the monster. Cinematic ally it was awesome to watch. DelToro has the touch. My fave all time is Gary Oldman as Vlady Draculia. He's creepy, enthralling, and Copolla just nailed it with him. Thx.
No need for fiction. Real monsters are everywhere.
“The old world is dying. And the new world is struggling to be born: now is the time of monsters.” - Anthony Gramsci
I avoid monster stories for that reason. One of the perks of retirement was no longer needing to track homicides, gather data & facts about the perpetrators & enablers and whether agencies & the “justice system” appropriately intervened and/or responded. Then came 2025. Now in a broader sense it is everyone’s job.
“Guillermo del Toro’s ‘Frankenstein’ asks us to question who is the real monster….”
ummmm…the one whose name just went up on the Kennedy Center yesterday ?!
Steven Beschloss...it would be great to have you as an (even free) subscriber to Andelman Unleashed ... I'd be delighted to reciprocate (and Recommend)!
After reading this essay, I have decided to watch the movie. I hadn’t planned to, but this review is so enticing!
Young Frankenstein (1974). The combined genius minds and talents of Mel Brooks, Gene Wilder, Madeleine Kahn, Peter Boyle and Marty Feldman, supported by Cloris Leachman, Teri Garr, Ken Mars and Gene Hackman makes this parody an unequaled classic. From the incomparable acting talent, to the story arc, the lines, the innuendo: comedic horror at it finest – both true to Shelley’s overarching madman/monster/crowd trope, yet also uniquely brilliant, especially when the Monster evolves into a Puttin’ on the Ritz, erudite, sophisticated, Man (Monster) Of The World Chad (Hunk). Brilliant
I'm a Frankenstein fan in general. My favorite previous version is Young Frankenstein but this version rivals it by capturing the true spirit. I appreciated the portrayal of Victor's father figure as well, as being similar as that of Mary Shelley's father.
I found this version a little too "talky", but it was an interesting take on it. Of course, the Creature demanding Frankenstein make him a companion - that is also a bit evil.
Someone in the group I watched it with pointed out the colors - each character seems to have a color associated with them, although Elizabeth's changes a bit as she's with her father vs William vs Frankenstein. So if you watch it - keep an eye on that.
The others in the group really liked the movie; I thought it was good, just overly talky. Plus - yeah, ok, part of this was the time and place it was set in, but it was very heavily male.
It’s a welcome diversion from usual weeklong topics
That
you pique our interest on Saturday
that I appreciate from you SO much.
And
With interesting and sometime fun exercises in thought.
The question that took hold while I read this:
Which IS Trump?
Frankenstein who “accidentally” created a misaligned human with a distorted brain that led to monstrous actions
Or
Is Trump the monster Frankenstein created!?
Or
is Trump both?
And
who or what processescreated
Dr Frankenstein?
Just scientific curiosity, the egotistical desire to be recognized? Famous? Never forgotten?
I don’t have the answer but I’ll be thinking about it for a while. Thank you👏
Oh and
I find it impossible to find sympathy for weak and insecure name plastering Trump.
Thank you Author Celia Mattison
I’m not sure it’s considered a ‘horror’ movie, but “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” is one of my favorites. Starring Tim Curry, it is certainly a cult classic. The audience adds to the movie by making comments that are always used in the same places in the film. There are also ‘props’ thrown around the theater, it’s just far out enough to be funny as well as shocking.
… Well, I was walking down the street just a-having a think
When a snake of a guy gave me an evil wink
He shook-a me up, he took me by surprise
He had a pickup truck and the devil's eyes
He stared at me and I felt a change
Time meant nothing, never would again
… Let's do the Time Warp again
Let's do the Time Warp again
[Back to Summer 2023, when our President could have kept his one term promise and let the rest of the Dem field have a fair chance and his VP > 107 days. Definitely, we need the time warp or failing that, Peabody and Sherman's Wayback Machine!]
A great movie, worth watching again and again.
Really enjoyed the move, first to really follow the book. I hope this article motivates more people to watch this movie.
I would name the Republican Party; and right wing think tanks funded by the likes of the Koch Brothers; as the real Dr Frankenstein. What they did to American democracy set the stage for a huckster like Trump to take power and subvert democracy.
These fools thought they were building a country they could rule over, only to have Trump come in and claim the reigns of power.
They were stupid, arrogant, destructive, cruel, greedy, entitled. Their monster - Trump - is not sympathetic. He was built from their own bodies and incorporates all their evil.
This was a reach
Super article and dive into this totally entertaining version of the monster. Cinematic ally it was awesome to watch. DelToro has the touch. My fave all time is Gary Oldman as Vlady Draculia. He's creepy, enthralling, and Copolla just nailed it with him. Thx.