New Book: Frankenstein: A Cultural History Omits Curtis Frankensten & DS' Adam

The other wise superb new book, Franknstein: A Cultural
History by Suan Tyler Hitchcock disses DS.

The book is an historical study of the Frankenstein character in all it's forms, starting with Mary Shelley's novel. All films, TV shows, comics radio shows, memorabilia, plays, etc, are discussed.
It's a beautifully written & bound book.

The ONLY ommissions:
no mention of the Dan Curtis Frankenstein or Adam & Eve on DS.

WHY IS DS STILL BEING DISSED?

David

David, I'm sure there were many more omissions than we realize in the book. It's not possible (or even practical) for the author to comment on each and every Frankenstein-inspired theme in film or TV.  Curtis' version of the classic  tale was certainly decent but not have anything so different from the original concept except limitations because of the budget and the medium itself at the time.  It was just another version of the tale.  In the author's shoes, I don't think I would have made mention of it except for, maybe, in passing only because I am familiar with Curtis' work.

As for the Adam storyline on DS, I think anyone familiar with the Frankenstein story can see the creation of Adam was clearly inspired by the Shelly classic but I'm not so sure it merits discussion or mention in a book only because Adam had more differences than similarities to the Frankenstein monster, IMO.  The character was very different.  Also, the author may have been unaware of the existence of the storyline anyway as I don't believe the Adam storyline has garnished a great deal of interest outside of those who enjoyed watching Dark Shadows.

Just my thoughts. I don't think there was any deliberate diss of DS.

nancy

The ONLY ommissions:
no mention of the Dan Curtis Frankenstein or Adam & Eve on DS.

But they're not.  Two other somewhat faithful adaptations-- the 1977 low budget Hammer-ish Terror of Frankenstein and the 2004 mini-series that starred DS' Alec Newman-- were also omitted.  With so many movie interpretations, including comedic and children's versions and even Blaxploitation and soft porn, and plays, toys and other stories, I don't think it's surprising that things got skipped, especially since some reviews cite other mistakes (errors in details) in her book.

How about the 2-night mini-series "Frankenstein: The True Story" from 1973 (with Tom Baker!)?   This is my favorite version.

Goodness, I forgot about those other  versions, Midnite, & I have them on DVD.
Yes, she erred a few times:
she says that Christopher Lee worked with director James Whale & was in the 1948 Hamlet.
Actually, both of those credits belong to Peter Cushing!

Trask, Frankenstein; The True Story, a superb version, got 2 pages.

Nancy, I think you're right about DS' Adam, but ommitting the Curtis Frankenstein, and the others was just sloppy research.
Searching Frankenetein at www.imdb.com
brings all of them right up.

David

Was Frankenhooker mentioned .... ?

 

Looks like the hiliarious Frankenhooker was left out of the book too!

David

Yes, she erred a few times:
she says that Christopher Lee worked with director James Whale & was in the 1948 Hamlet.
Actually, both of those credits belong to Peter Cushing!

Christopher Lee also appeared in Hamlet, albeit in a tiny part.    (Thanks, Kosmo)

Was Frankenhooker mentioned .... ?

How about "Frankenhooker: The True Story", a twelve-part mini-series on PBS, with Sir John Geilgud and Joey Heatherton?

(I forgot about Frankenhooker!)

I don't know about that particular omission being an oversight or the result of sloppy research.  There wasn't anything unique about Curtis' Frankenstein version that would warrant making a comment on it.  It didn't do anything to add to the Frankenstein legend on film or television.

Nancy

Nancy, I think you're right about DS' Adam, but ommitting the Curtis Frankenstein, and the others was just sloppy research.
Searching Frankenetein at www.imdb.com
brings all of them right up.