Well folks, I just came from the http://www.usanetwork.com website and on Sunday Oct 10 they will be airing another new twist to the Frankenstein saga. So if your interested check out the site and lets here your opinion on what you think about the upcoming twist.

David

The Hallmark Channel will also be airing an "original" version of Frankenstein, on October 5th and 6th. The USA version is another "updated" telling of the story, while Hallmark describes theirs as being the most faithful to Shelley's orignal story.

http://www.hallmarkent.com/property.php?propertyId=Frankenstein

I'd also be curious to hear what people think after they've seen these.

Does anybody recall seeing the original uncut version of the ABC mini-series "Frankenstein: The True Story"? While the title is somewhat misleading, this incarnation of the Frankenstein legend is probably the most literate ever produced (the teleplay is by poet Christopher Isherwood whose memoir "Berlin Stories" formed the basis for "Caberet"). Unfortunately, so far as I know, the full length cut of "F:TTS" has never been released on tape or DVD.

Is this the version with Michael Sarrazan or Bo Svenson?

Is this the version with Michael Sarrazan or Bo Svenson?

Michael Sarrazin played The Creature. Victor Frankenstein was played by Leonard Whiting (Zefferelli's Romeo). James Mason played the villainous Dr. Polidori. Frankenstein's mentor, Henry Clerval, was played by David McCallum. Agnes Moorehead, Ralph Richardson and John Gielgud rounded out the cast.

Particularly memorable is Jane Seymour's turn as "Prima" (The Bride). This was Seymour's first big role, and she was perfectly cast. The scene in which she and The Creature confront each other remains one of the most shocking ever presented on network television (and certainly one they'd never get away with today); jilted by the cruel Bride, The Creature rips her head off in front of ballroom full of stunned 18th century onlooklers.

The Frank Darabont/ Kenneth Brannaugh version of "Frankenstien" pales in comparison to Isherwood's. I'd love to see the full length version again, if only it was available...

Does anybody recall seeing the original uncut version of the ABC mini-series "Frankenstein: The True Story"? While the title is somewhat misleading, this incarnation of the Frankenstein legend is probably the most literate ever produced (the teleplay is by poet Christopher Isherwood whose memoir "Berlin Stories" formed the basis for "Caberet"). Unfortunately, so far as I know, the full length cut of "F:TTS" has never been released on tape or DVD.
I've got it on tape from a Sci Fi Channel airing. Not sure where the tape is... heck, I never even got around to watching it!

Steve

For anyone that's interested, it's available on DVD:

http://www.montrealfood.com/dvds.html

Scroll down the page about half-way.

Thanks for the link, Zombie. I had no idea a full-length version of this title was available. Great news.

AMC showed the Frankenstein mini-series with Michael Sarrazin and James Mason a couple years ago. They showed it uncut and commercial free. There was one break at the point between parts 1 and 2. I was able to get it on tape but had to use EP mode because it was on in the middle of the night and had to use timer.

Read the comments section on IMDB. It would appear that the DVD referred to above is not the truly "complete" 240 minute version.

I don't think there was ever a 240 minut version. I recall it was originally aired as a 2 part movie, 2 hours each night. I'll see if I can locate the tape and if the quality is worth burning to DVD.

Steve

I stuck in the tape I have and timed it. Part One is 91 minutes and Part Two is 93 minutes. Total is 3hrs and 4min. The end credits for part one and opening credits for part two, plus any "scenes from part one" at beginning of part two are not there. It is one long movie. Add approx. 5 min. for those credits and that's about right for a two part tv movie that ran 2 hrs each part with commercials. Part one ends with the monster jumping off the cliff, then the break, returns with the monster coming to on the beach at the bottom of the cliff. I noticed there was a link at IMDB to people selling the uncut version at 2hrs 58min. The version I have is 6 minutes longer than that. There is the annoying AMC logo in right lower corner. I'm gonna go ahead and transfer this to dvd first chance I get. Anybody wanting the tape is welcome to it.

How's the one with Randy Quaid? Never got to see it, I think it was made for TNT network a few years ago?

JOHN/LONFAN
BTW did you guys like the DeNerio Version "Shelly's Frankenstein"?

rw2516,

Keep us posted on pricing - I might just be interested.

- GJS

I'll just give the tape away. If I was gonna try and make money I'd sell dvds.

Re: "True Story" - loved it, especially first viewing, I think I was about 14 or 15.
Re: "The DeNiro Version" - oft reviled, I love.
Re: "The Quaid Factor" - pretty good!
Re: "Lady Frankenstein" - wow, couldn't believe it.
Re: "I Was A Teenage etc." - must, MUST HAVE DVD.... ever on any collection or anything?

Having read the novel for the first time ever just a few years ago, I'm looking for a movie that is faithful to the book and the historical time period.

For instance, Dr. F would have used galvanic batteries to bring the creature to life. The novel is not all that clear on the creation but galvanic batteries had been used for revivification for quite a while by Shelley's time (to revive drowning victims and the like) including the period during which the novel is set. They're not as dramatic as lightning (and why bother to lift the creature up into the storm as in the '30s movie version--aren't the wires good enough to convey the electricity?) but would have been equally effective.

How's the one with Randy Quaid? Never got to see it, I think it was made for TNT network a few years ago?
IMHO, not great Lonfan. I only saw it once when it originally aired, but from what I recall Patrick Bergin (as Dr. Frankenstein) turned in a too "over the top" performance, and the pacing was far too slow--in other words, it bored me. Randy Quaid was good (as always), but they treated the monster the same as in "The Bride"; i.e., as the story unfolded, the scars healed until the monster looks almost normal by the end of the film. By the end of this one, it was just Randy Quaid running around in rags.

Again, I only saw it the one time, so I could be completely wrong. :confused:


BTW did you guys like the DeNiro Version "Shelly's Frankenstein"?
Since you asked...I liked it better upon repeat viewings, but it's still full of flaws. DeNiro turns in a good performance, but does not make you feel sympathetic towards the monster the way Karloff did. Kenneth Branagh is...well, Kenneth Branagh. John Cleese was severely underused as Prof. Waldeman, as was Tom Hulce as Henry Clerval (in fact, I think Hulce should have been cast as Victor Frankenstein, and Branagh should have stayed behind the camera). Helena Bonham Carter is as beautiful as always (well, until she's resurrected, that is), and turns in a solid performance.

Say what you will, I don't think anyone will ever be able to top Karloff's performance as the monster.

They're not as dramatic as lightning (and why bother to lift the creature up into the storm as in the '30s movie version--aren't the wires good enough to convey the electricity?) ...For cinematic reasons. One of the greatest sequences in all of classic horror.

Nobody's mentioned "Young Frankenstein", which I put on the same level as Karloff's Frankenstein, and "The Bride of Frankenstein". I enjoy "Son..." but still have a hard time with the minimalist abstract sets.

Hey Nobody Is Talking about the HAMMER FRANKS either! What gives? Peter Cushing made a FANTASTIC Doc in the ones he did Don't chya think? There is Still one Hammer Frank I need to see (never have) it's the one Without Cushing or Chris Lee uh lemmie go look it up....Aww I can't find it But The Monster in this one looks more like a Guy in a Furry Suit (it's David Darth Vader Prowse) I think it's called "Frankenstein The Monster From Hell" ?
JOHN/LONFAN

Nobody's mentioned "Young Frankenstein", which I put on the same level as Karloff's Frankenstein...
D'oh! You're right! IMHO, Young Frankenstein was Mel Brooks' best film. I know the Blazing Saddles crowd would strongly disagree, but Young Frankenstein just hit all the right notes, and it still holds up 30 years later.


I enjoy "Son..." but still have a hard time with the minimalist abstract sets.
I think the Son of Frankenstein sets are a part of what makes it such a classic film. Talk about out-of-control art direction! They add a great deal of atmosphere to what is already a somewhat surreal film.

The real problem with that film is...well, let me put it this way. I can accept Karloff's less-than-cadaverous appearance. I can even handle Basil Rathbone's ridiculously over-the-top performance. But that awful Donnie Dunagan has to go!!! I wonder if Lucas can replace him with a CGI kid that isn't so annoying... :eek:


I think it's called "Frankenstein The Monster From Hell"?
Close. It was called, "Frankenstein and the Monster From Hell." Peter Cushing is in the film playing (of course) Baron Victor Frankenstein, and David Prowse plays the Monster. Don't kill yourself trying to find a copy, it's pretty bad.

I think that Richard Moll did a pretty funny take on the monster in the Weird Science episode "She's Alive II"... not as good as Young Frankenstein, but worthy of note.

What was the name of that series where the monster was played by the same guy who played the doctor in the first Cannonball Run movie?

And have the collectors stopped sitting on the Ogle Frankenstein and released it? It's not like Edison is gonna sue for copyright or anything...

Hey Zombie, Lemmie ask ya' about another HAMMER Frankenstien This one I'm pretty sure Cushing is NOT in. The ONE Photo I've seen has the Monster this time looking like a Middle aged Man, the Doc and his assistant are strapping him in a Chair and are trying to Attach some kind of a Bowl-Like Gizmo over the top of his head (I guess to Give him the Voltage) Anyhoo he really doesn't seem quite as "Messed up" as Other Franks before are After BUT I'd be curious to see it. Any Clue of which I speak?
THANKS
JOHN/LONFAN

Zombie - good points on "Son..." especially about Dunagan!

I'll just give the tape away. If I was gonna try and make money I'd sell dvds.
You have a Private message! :wave:

The Frankenstein miniseries part 1 that I saw last night (Hallmark) was strange in that it took the "best" parts, it seems, from the movies and the novel.

They changed the time to about the 1840s(?) for some reason when the novel took place in the 1790s and was itself written in 1818. As far as the technology is concerned, I can't see why they would change it from the period represented in the novel.

I see from the ad below that the other movie is coming on this weekend on USA. Hmmm . . . I wonder what the Frankensteinmania is all about. :confused:

My favorite Frankenstein monster was Phil Hartman! ;)

Qapla'

SSB

My favorite Frankenstein monster was Phil Hartman! ;)

Qapla'

SSB

Oh Yeah, I love when "The Evil Twin Brother" came to town and tried to take over but Tonto figured out the Scam LOL Classic!

John/Lonfan

Hey Zombie, Lemmie ask ya' about another HAMMER Frankenstien This one I'm pretty sure Cushing is NOT in. The ONE Photo I've seen has the Monster this time looking like a Middle aged Man, the Doc and his assistant are strapping him in a Chair and are trying to Attach some kind of a Bowl-Like Gizmo over the top of his head (I guess to Give him the Voltage) Anyhoo he really doesn't seem quite as "Messed up" as Other Franks before are After BUT I'd be curious to see it. Any Clue of which I speak?

Sorry John, been away from the computer for a while recovering from back surgery. Unfortunately, the photo you've described isn't ringing any bells. I'm not particularly a fan of the Hammer films; the only reason I remember "Monster From Hell" is because when they were promoting Star Wars way back in the 70's they made a big deal out of the fact that David Prowse played the monster.

Check out www.hammerfilms.com. You might be able to figure out which film you're looking for.


Zombie - good points on "Son..." especially about Dunagan!
Thanks Chris! Most of the people I know who are fans of "Son..." agree that kid was just plain obnoxious.

lonfan, the scene you are describing sounds like FRANKENSTEIN MUST BE DESTROYED which does have Cushing. THE HORROR OF FRANKENSTEIN does not have Cushing. It comes between FRANKENSTEIN MUST BE DESTROYED and FRANKENSTEIN AND THE MONSTER FROM HELL. Ralph Bates plays Frankenstein and David Prowse the monster.

I finally saw "Son of Franjkenstein" last night for the first time ever if you can believe it.

1) sets - loved 'em
2) kid - not so bad as led to believe - Bush Jr. much worse
3) arm - great flailing of torn out arm by creature