Frankenstein 1910

In 1910, Thomas Edison, and Edison Studios, released a fifteen minute film version of Mary Shelley's novel, Frankenstein. This film is the first time that Shelley's monster was seen on screen. As the film is short, it is a very loose adaptation of the original novel published by Mary Shelley. The film shows the creation of the Creature by Victor Frankenstein, and the Creature's subsequent haunting of Frankenstein on the day of his wedding. The Creature we see in this film is one that is mute and dumb, just as in the 1823 play. However, the film still seems to have grasped some understanding of the original meaning of the novel. In the film, Frankenstein "sees the monster he created reflected in a mirror. Having disappeared, the monster returns to his creator to gain acceptance. However, when the creature is in front of the mirror he disappears again, with only his slowly vanishing reflection left. When Frankenstein arrives and stands in front of the same mirror he witnesses the fading image, signifying the monster's destruction in the face of Frankenstein's increased love for his wife and life" (Frankenstein). 

Associated Place(s)

Event date:

8 Mar 1910