Terence Fisher directed The Curse of Frankenstein for Hammer Studios in England, and Christopher Lee, Peter Cushing and Hazel Court starred. This 1957 movie was the first in the Hammer Studio’s emergence as a major producer of horror films and it was the beginning of a new horror movie cycle. The result was an innovative, fast paced, and vividly colored film. Hammer Studios completely changed the approach to horror movies of the Universal Studios that had dominated the horror movie cycle from 1931-1945. Color, explicit violence, and sexuality were introduced as central filmic components.
The Curse of Frankenstein was, like so many other movies, loosely based on the great work of Gothic English Literature by Mary Shelley: Frankenstein: Or The Modern Prometheus (1818). Yes, that is the accurate subtitle, although it is usually omitted in most printings of the book.
This movie was highly successful, both financially and critically. And like Horror of Dracula would, as Hammer Studios expanded their treatments of classic Gothic novels, it spawned a long series of sequels. A major difference between the direction of the following films was the focus: the monster Dracula was the recurring character in the vampire movies, while Dr. Frankenstein, and not his creature was the repeating protagonist/antagonist of the Frankenstein movies. This is also an important distinction between the Hammer and the earlier Universal movies in which the Creature was the primary recurring character.
The Creature was also a mindless killing machine in this film, and none of the Creature’s humanity was kept from the novel, which is the film’s major flaw. It is, nevertheless, an important film from this era, and if you enjoy or are interested in horror films, then I recommend it.
Get The Draft Done! is available here: Amazon.com
Gallows Hill can be found here in ebook.
Gallows Hill in paperback can be found here.
An interview about Gallows Hill can be found here.
Please follow the following links to find my novel:
Thank you!
The book trailer:
Maledicus:Investigative Paranormal Society Book I
My radio interview:
Available on Amazon
charles french words reading and writing 
I don’t think I’ve seen this one. The hunt begins! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I hope you find it!
LikeLike
I did not know the title of Mary Shelley’s book included “Modern Prometheus.” I think in the ’50’s people were ready for a fast paced horror movie, in color. I’m not surprised that Hammer Studios jumped on the bandwagon. Excellent post and review, Charles!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Jennie, thank you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re welcome, Charles!
LikeLiked by 1 person