Frankenstein & the Occult - OT

[Philippe Cordier]

I recently had the opportunity to see a rare book exhibit at a Wisconsin university relating to Mary Shelley's "Frankenstein."  Of particular interest, I took note of one glass case in which were enclosed occult texts printed centuries ago.  I wrote down several of the titles:

- Agrippa, Three Books of Occult.  London, 1651

- Albertus Magnus.  (Didn't get the title)  1495

- Paracelsus, Prognosticatio.  France, 1560 (this was in Latin)

- Secrets of Albertus Magnus, Of the vertues of herbes, stones & certain beasts - whereunto is newly added a short discourse of the seven planets, governing the nativities of CHILDREN.

- Paracelsus, Of the supreme mysteries of nature: of the spirits of the planets, occult philosophy, the magical, sympathetical & antipathetical case of worries [not sure of my handwriting here] & diseases, the mysteries of the 12 signs of the zodiac.  London, 1656.  (This was in English.)

It was fascinating to view these centuries-old, fragile yellowed books, most of them quite small, with their tiny, fine diagrams, schemata, and occult symbols.

It wasn't until later that I remembered that in the novel, before he begins his scientific studies, Victor dabbles in the occult, even attempting to raise the dead (albeit he is only a teenager at the time).  The only movie version to portray this, as far as I know, is "Terror of Frankenstein," a Swedish-Irish co-production directed by Calvin Floyd, which portrays this quite well in one brief scene.

I consulted the novel and found that the books mentioned include the very ones displayed in the exhibit.  Namely, in Chapters 2 and 3, Victor speaks of his early interest in Agrippa, Albertus Magnus, and Paracelsus.

It will be interesting to see whether Victor's early dabblings are included in the upcoming Hallmark production of Frankenstein with "our own" (well, almost) Alec Newman as Victor.  So far, Calvin Floyd's is the only version faithful to the novel, but I'm hopeful the Hallmark production might be the second.  I've taken another look at the production stills, and it looks very promising.  And I have no doubt that Newman's acting will be an improvement over the actor in the other film.  Hope I remember to watch/tape it.

[victoriawinters]

...
It wasn't until later that I remembered that in the novel, before he begins his scientific studies, Victor dabbles in the occult, even attempting to raise the dead (albeit he is only a teenager at the time)...

I consulted the novel and found that the books mentioned include the very ones displayed in the exhibit.  Namely, in Chapters 2 and 3, Victor speaks of his early interest in Agrippa, Albertus Magnus, and Paracelsus.

So, sorry for the very delayed reaction to this post.  Yes, I remember these authors were mentioned in the book as texts that Victor seemed to love to read.  He felt them important to his scientific studies.  His college professors teased him about this, especially M. Krempe.

Did you also catch the monster reading Milton's "Paradise Lost", Goethe's "Sorrows of Werter" and Plutarch's "Lives"?  Did they have old copies of those books at your book exhibit?

I do hope that the Hallmark's production will include most of these literary mentions as well as  depict that the monster acquired some learning and was an intelligent being.

[Mysterious Benefactor]

I do hope that the Hallmark's production will include most of these literary mentions as well as  depict that the monster acquired some learning and was an intelligent being.

Speaking of the Hallmark version with Alec Newman, it's definitely going to run on October 5th and 6th. TV Guide refers to it as a "glossy, affectionate version" and "a sincere, thoughtful adaptation."

[Mysterious Benefactor]

I just came across this from The Christian Science Monitor:

Tuesday Oct. 5

Frankenstein, or the Modern Prometheus (Hallmark Channel, 9-10 p.m.): Mary Shelley's brilliant tale of Victor Frankenstein, a scientist who creates a "monster," is retold with compassion and insight. Luke Goss's creature stirs the heart, and Alec Newman skillfully portrays the young scientist's slide into monstrous hubris. The questions Shelley posed in 1818 seem more relevant than ever.

[Raineypark]

Why is it that despite paying the earth for cable service, I never seem to be getting the channel I need to see something I'd actually like to SEE!!? 

[Mysterious Benefactor]

A Reuters review of Hallmark's production which describes it as "elegant, well-acted and, by turns, romantic and dripping with gothic torment" and which characterizes Newman's performance as "compelling": TV Review: 'Frankenstein'

And an article which compares/contrasts the Hallmark and USA versions: Battle of the Frankensteins [spoiler]Hallmark's version comes out on top.[/spoiler]

[Philippe Cordier]

Did you also catch the monster reading Milton's "Paradise Lost", Goethe's "Sorrows of Werter" and Plutarch's "Lives"?  Did they have old copies of those books at your book exhibit?

I do hope that the Hallmark's production will include most of these literary mentions as well as  depict that the monster acquired some learning and was an intelligent being.

Thank you for your message, VW, and for the links to the reviews, MB.

I'm not able to post or even read the board regularly right now but hopefully circumstances will let up eventually ...

Your comment about "Paradise Lost" reminded me that I tried to read that work after being introduced to it in Mary Shelley's novel ... I think I was about 10 or 11 at the time ...   I don't remember the references to Goethe or Plutarch - they were obviously over my head when I first read "Frankenstein", and even my reading of it as an adult was quite a few years ago and I don't recall those references, though I do recall references to "The Rime of the Ancient Mariner."  I note that the new production incorporated the references to the Creature reading Paradise Lost, which was nice.  I'm not sure if the occult texts were mentioned or not as I haven't been able to watch the new adaptation too closely but I do have it on tape.

BTW, the exhibit I saw didn't have those literary texts as part of the display, too bad they didn't include them.  I'll try to include a link here to the exhibit that shows the cities it has been/will be in.  http://www.ala.org/ala/ppo/currentprograms/frankenstein/frankensteinexhibit.htm

The adaptation has had some good moments, and the location work is very nice.  The creature is portrayed as intelligent and articulate, as in the novel.  Overall the adaptation follows the novel loosely, but it seems somewhat drawn out and I don't find the additons to be an improvement.  I think "Terror of Frankenstein" directed by Calvin Lloyd is a more taut adaptation and remains extremely faithful to the novel, and it's location work is perfect.

[victoriawinters]

Your comment about "Paradise Lost" reminded me that I tried to read that work after being introduced to it in Mary Shelley's novel ... I think I was about 10 or 11 at the time ...

Thanks for the link.  It looks like it's supposed to come to UCLA's Powell Library sometime in November.  The Powell Library site looks like it hasn't been updated as of yet.  So, this is unconfirmed.

I'm going to try to read Paradise Lost myself since I think the idea of creation, etc. seems to be a central theme of Mary Shelley's work.  (Can't speak for the Hallmark Production.)  I've also read in several places that Percy Shelley (her husband) was reading it to Mary Shelley (the author) when she was writing the book.

The book and it's references have been fresh in my mind since I just finished a re-read.  I also thought the work worked quite well as a book on tape.  Chances are it was read aloud when it was frist written since there was no TV then.  A fun family activity to do with the kids or a book club for this coming Halloween.