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Wednesday, October 27, 2010

F is for Frankenstein

Hello Miss Jenny. Here’s my homework. I promise no spiders this week.

F is for FRANKENSTEIN! “That’s Frankensteen!”

We're all familiar with the story of Dr. Frankenstein and his laboratory creature. After all, it is a Halloween and horror-picture-fan favorite.

The story of the Frankenstein monster was first published anonymously in 1818 in London. The author, Mary Shelley, was only 19 at the time. Although the first edition was published anonymously, her name appears on the second edition, which was published in France in 1823.

Mary Shelley

Shelley's creature was described as being 8 foot tall and hideously ugly. (I think I dated him in my early 20s) He had yellow translucent skin pulled tautly over the body, barely hiding the vessels and muscles underneath. His watery eyes glowed and he had flowing black hair, black lips and prominent white teeth.

Although he was scary and grotesque, he had a sensitive soul. It's only after he witnessed Dr. Frankenstein destroying the unfinished female creature (his future companion) that he turns violent and vows to make Dr. Frankenstein pay for his actions.

The Frankstein Creature has been portrayed in movies by many notable actors in both horrorific and comedic renditions.


Boris Karloff, 1931

Herman Munster
Fred Gwynne, 1964-1966

Peter Boyle, 1974

Who was your favorite?



34 comments:

  1. Boris, then Young Frankestein for a good laugh.

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  2. I love the movie Young Frankenstein! I'll take humor over horror any day:@)

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  3. Herman Munster, we watched his show each week and it made us laugh. I guess Mary Shelly had more leanings towards Stephen King or vice versa. For a young woman to create such a character was unknown in her day. Great post.

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  4. I'd have Herman for a neighbor...not those scarey ones!!! Great post :D
    ~victoria~

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  5. I was a child when Herman Munster was around...he'd have to get my vote. Besides, he was pretty "nice"...I'm not great with being scared!

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  6. Fred Gywnne. Loved the Munsters.

    BTW, I tried to leave a message on the chicken post and was bumped. I'm having server issues and trying to leave town at the same time. Just wanted to say I can tell that they are cousins. It's that same "I'm in charge here strut!" LOL!

    XO,

    Sheila :-)

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  7. I loved Herman. He was so nice! I loved that show too. Happy Halloween.

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  8. Hello La!
    Thank you for dropping by to see my blog. I've never had so many followers! What excitement!
    It seems amazing doesn't it that a young woman of nineteen years old, could have written such a book as Frankenstein's Monster. Mary Shelley just looks far too genteel and ladylike for such a feat!
    Good to meet you, I shall enjoy dropping in to visit your blog.

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  9. I am your follower 81 ! I don't know why my picture doesn't show up...Anyaways...Talking about you on my blog :)
    Frenchy

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  10. Interesting, very interesting!

    I was a Herman monster fan for sure. I still love watching old episodes....although I haven’t seen on in awhile.


    Kendra aka "Domestic Princess in Training"

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  11. Hi there....just found your blog thru "Frenchy's"....she added us both as some of her new favorites! :) I don't like REALLY scary or gross things so I would choose Young Frankstein because its a funny classis and then Herman Munster....the big sweet monster! Happy Fall Ya'll from Houston,TX!

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  12. Herman Munster was definitely my favorite. I had to kind of laugh at the picture of Mary Shelley. She looks a little Frankenstein-ish herself. Haha. I'm amazed that she wrote that book at such a young age though.
    Great "F" post.

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  13. Such an interesting & informative ‘F’ post!

    Happy Alphabe-Thursday,

    LOLA:)

    Btw Your quick Alphabe-Thursday link

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  14. mine is the frankenstein monster with an abbey normal brain in young frankenstein lol . Great post for halloween!

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  15. Herman!!! I was an avid fan back in the day ... perfect F post what with Halloween right around the corner!

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  16. Herman! Loved the Munsters :-)

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  17. I've never been a big fan of the Frankenstein movies, but I did really enjoy the book!

    Teresa

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  18. Interesting post! I've always known about the Frankenstein the monster but never the actual story behind it. You've intrigued me and now I need to learn more about him :)

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  19. Hi La,
    My all time favorite is Young Frankenstein with Gene Wilder. "Did you make the yummy sound?"
    Love, love, love that movie! Great post and very interesting!
    Have a great night.
    Sincerely,
    Melinda

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  20. I love Herman Munster. He wasn't scary!

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  21. I loved Boris, but nothing is as perfect as Young Frankenstein--"Put the candle back!"
    Thanks for an interesting and informative post.

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  22. Herman get s my number one vote! I grew up with the Munsters. But Young Frankenstein was a terrific movie. I don't like too scary! Anne

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  23. Oh, La...I love this post.
    When I was a little girl (now, you know I am very OLDEN so it was a looong time ago when I was little) we went to the movies every Saturday. I LOVED all the scary movies..and Frankenstein was my very favorite...along with Wolfman and Dracula..:)

    We loved Young Frankenstein, too..I laugh so hard every time I see it, I nearly p my pants...Gosh, I'd love to see it again...
    xo bj

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  24. Fabulous post La! All three actors were so iconic in their roles but I think Peter Boyle gets my vots as my favorite as he was so darn funny!

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  25. MWAHAHAHAHAHA! I can't get beyond "I think I dated him....." Toooooooooooo funny!!!!!

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  26. Fun "F" Post! Hard to pick a fave, but would probably have to go with the original - Boris:)

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  27. Boris was definitely the scariest and since I'm not so much into scary, I vote for Herman!
    FUN post!
    Happy F Day!
    Coralie

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  28. Definitely Boris - he set the standard!

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  29. I always loved Herman Munster. He's not scary and I don't really do scary very well!

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  30. Hiding behind my own hands I will sheepishly admit I have never seen a frankenstein movie. Hmmm. Blockbuster might be calling.

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  31. Boris Karloff!
    Great idea for F-Frankensteen!
    Best wishes,
    Anna
    Anna's Alphabe-Thursday-F

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  32. What a fun stop on our little journey through Alphabe-Thursday's letter "F".

    I think I dated your dates brother! ha!

    That made me laugh and I found the rest of your post quite interesting because I've never read OR watched anything to do with Frankenstein.

    I've been allergic to scary since birth!

    Happy Halloween and thank you for linking.

    A+

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  33. Peter Boyle without a doubt!!! You, Mom and I could recite every line in that movie!!! Charlie still won't watch it with me. Says I ruin it for him everytime!!! hahahaha

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Hi! Thanks for stopping by my blog. Please feel free to leave a comment. I read every message and appreciate that you took the time to say hello.

See you soon! La