2. What place does the Frankenstein
character have in popular culture?
Where have we seen the Frankenstein character in
popular culture?
• Movies?
• Cartoons?
• Advertisements?
• Television?
• Toys?
Take a few minutes and discuss this idea with those
around you…

3. The rise of Frankenstein
 Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus, by Mary
Shelley, was first published in 1818 in London
 Critical reception to the novel was low, but the novel
was an immediate popular success
 By 1823, the book had already been interpreted as a
play - Presumption; or The Fate of Frankenstein, by
Richard Brinsley Peake
 Many theatrical renditions followed throughout the
19th century

4. 1910 - The first film adaptation of the tale was done
by Edison Studios. The 16 minute silent film was
thought to be lost until it was rediscovered in 1980.

5. 1931 – The most famous of the film versions of
Frankenstein was produced by Universal Studios.
Boris Karloff starred as the monster.

6. 1948 – Universal Pictures produced a total
of eight Frankenstein-based films,
culminating in the comedy, Abbott and
Costello Meet Frankenstein

7. 1966 – Filmic adaptations continue to spiral away from Mary
Shelley’s original text. In this sci-fi/western/horror B-movie
from 1966, the legendary American outlaw, Jesse James,
goes against the monster in Jesse James Meets
Frankenstein’s Daughter.

8. More Variations…
Frankenstein as
superhero, in the DC
comic book series
The video game, Fable II, contains
a quest where a character named
Victor is on a quest to reanimate the
body of a dead woman.

9. And more…
Frankenstein, as celebrity
spokesman?
As political activist?

10. Now to find out how it all
started…
 For homework: Read
Letters 1-4 and Chapter
one of Mary Shelley’s
Frankenstein
 Left: Steel engraving for
frontispiece to the
revised edition of
Frankenstein by Mary
Shelley in 1831.