Still, very cool that it has been recovered. posted by notmtwain at 3:44 AM on March 24, 2010
Nice post.
The Edison "Frankenstein" is also available for watching and full download at the Internet Archive. posted by koeselitz at 3:50 AM on March 24, 2010
Yeah, I was taken with that "two years later, Frankenstein has discovered the mystery of life" title card, too. In my experience, this is a stage that all Sophomores go through. It usually takes a couple of advanced courses in their major to get them to the point where they realize that they have a lot more to learn. Then they start to become serious scholars.
Most of them also avoid creating monsters during their second summer as well, but there are always a few knowitalls keeping the school therapists in business. posted by GenjiandProust at 5:29 AM on March 24, 2010 [4 favorites]
This is great! I love cinema history, and I have never seen this in full. Much thanks! I do believe, though, that those inter-title cards are not original. Unless Edison invented a time machine, too, and brought Helvetica back to 1910. But, it works.
Interestingly, (and only those of you who are A) Roughly my age, and B) Watched wayyyyy more than your fair share of cartoons on tv, are going to get this...) I find that the scene where Frankenstein is "creating" his monster, by pouring different liquids into a bucket, is very reminiscent of the "genesis" title sequence in the Milton the Monster cartoons, one of my childhood faves. Or maybe I just need some more coffee... posted by Thorzdad at 6:58 AM on March 24, 2010
Man, early films had so much crazy experimentation (colors! effects! transparencies!) before the grammar of the medium got settled down. posted by The Whelk at 7:04 AM on March 24, 2010
Team Edison. posted by ericbop at 7:29 AM on March 24, 2010
huh. I wasn't expecting it to end with a dance party. color me surprised. posted by shmegegge at 8:38 AM on March 24, 2010
the scene where Frankenstein's monster is boiled into life is pretty spectacular. It reminds me, of all things, of the scene where Frank assembles to life in Hellraiser. posted by shmegegge at 8:45 AM on March 24, 2010 [1 favorite]
I find that the scene where Frankenstein is "creating" his monster, by pouring different liquids into a bucket, is very reminiscent of the "genesis" title sequence in the Milton the Monster cartoons, one of my childhood faves.
The rolling around on the floor and swooning instead of actually completing an assignment is pretty common among students, too. As is the claim that their homework is going to kill them.
In a more serious vein, I really liked the scene with the mirror -- there was a lot of tension with the reflection of the door (I wonder if this was the first time that particular trope got used?). posted by GenjiandProust at 10:00 AM on March 24, 2010 [1 favorite]
...you could enjoy these rather lovely illustrations from Bernie Wrightson's Frankenstein.
posted by Artw at 12:13 AM on March 24, 2010