ALL SCI-FI

[Bud Brewster]

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This ambitious made-for-TV version of the Mary Shelley novel was advertised as being a more faithful rendition of the novel than the popular Karloff classic.

It received such a lavish treatment from producer Hunt Stromberg, Jr. and director Jack Smight that the film was given a theatrical release in Europe. It's American TV running time was over four hours. The screenplay is by Christopher Isherwood.

The cast is a real plus, too. Leonard Whiting is Dr. Frankenstein, Michael Sarrazin is the monster, David McCallum is the doctor's assistant, James Mason is an eccentric colleague of the doctor's, and Jane Seymour is the mate which Dr. Frankenstein creates for the monster. Sir Ralph Richardson portrays the blind hermit.

Co-starring Tom Baker, Sir John Gielgud, Margaret Leighton, Agnes Moorehead, Nicola Paget, and Michael Wilding.

One of the major differences between this version and the Karloff classic is the physical appearance of the "monster", played by Sarrazin. No bolts protruding from his neck, no stitches around his head. Sarrazin's monster is a handsome, apparently normal young man -- until his flesh begins to decompose, a problem which the doctor frantically tries to remedy while he watches his creation grow steadily more hideous (and mentally deranged).

Dr. Polidorv (Mason) takes a hand in the creation of a mate (Seymour), who is presented as a debutante at a formal social gathering. All-in-all, an interesting new approach to a familiar old subject.
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Is there no man on Earth who has the wisdom and innocence of a child?
~ The Space Children (1958)

[Bud Brewster]

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Not being a fan of Horror films, I didn't watch this movie when it aired back in 1973.

But I've heard about the scene in which the Frankenstein creation (a young, handsome man at first, but who deteriorates slowly) shocks the guests at a fancy London ball when he bursts in while the doctor's other creation — a lovely girl played by Jane Seymour — is performing a solo dance for the guests.

The "monster" (played by Michael Sarrazin) spoils the fancy ball by ripping off Miss Seymour's head!

The clip below is from that moment — although it ends right before the key scene in which Jane's head goes flying across the dance floor.

Dammit . . .

Frankenstein: The True Story (1973) - Party Crasher


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Is there no man on Earth who has the wisdom and innocence of a child?
~ The Space Children (1958)