Frankenstein

Frankenstein is the title of a gothic novel by Mary Shelley, first published in 1818 (and revised in 1831). The work focuses on a scientist's quest to create new life from dead matter, and along with Bram Stoker's Dracula, has become one of the iconic horror texts, adapted into dozens of films. The original 1931 film from Universal Studios starred Boris Karloff as the monster.

The term "Frankenstein" initially referred to the monster's creator, scientist Victor Frankenstein. However, following the film's success, "Frankenstein" has been popularly used to refer to the monster. Make-up artist Jack Pierce's design of a square-headed, bolt-necked brute has become the standard depiction of the monster, in contrast to the vaguely described, intelligent creature in the novel.

The cinematic depiction of the Frankenstein monster, and its 1935 sequel,Bride of Frankenstein, have frequently been spoofed or referenced in Muppet productions.

References

• A 1967 Pak-Nit industrial film, entitled Shrinkenstein, spoofed the Frankenstein tale.

• The Muppets Go to the Movies included a sketch called The Nephew of Frankenstein, with Dr. Julius Strangepork as the scientist, and Fozzie Bear as his hapless nephew.

• The design of Mulch is an amalgam of the Hunchback of Notre Dame and the Frankenstein monster. In The Muppets Go to the Movies, Mulch takes on the role of the Frankenstein monster, while on Muppets Tonight, he assumes aspects of the hunchbacked assistant "Igor" as iconicized in films.

• In a Halloween themed comic book story from Muppet Magazine, Fozzie is transformed into Frankenbear and Piggy becomes the Bride of Frankenstein.

• Miss Piggy played "the Bride of Froggen-Schwein" opposite Kermit, as the monster, in a John E. Barrett photograph used in The Miss Piggy Calendar 1982 and Jim Henson's Muppet Trading Cards.

• The Muppet Babies episode "Dental Hijinks" had a scene where the babies imagine Baby Fozzie going to the dentist in a spooky Frankenstein parody, with Baby Kermit in the role of Dr. Frogenstein and Baby Animal as the Tooth Monster. They use Baby Fozzie's loose tooth and zap it with lightning to give more power to the monster. Then Baby Gonzo shows up as Count Gonzula.

• Kermit appears as "Ker-Monster" in the 2000 video game Muppet Monster Adventure, along with Miss Piggy as "the Ghoulfriend."

• Ivan the Villager in Statler and Waldorf: From the Balcony was based on the irate, pitchfork wielding villagers seen in the climax of Frankenstein.

• An American Greetings card from the Halloween season of 2006 used recycled images of Kermit and Piggy, spoofing a typical Frankenstein movie poster for the imaginary film "Frogenstein Lives!".

• The Disney-MGM Studious had planned a Muppet Movie Ride which would have featured a Frankenstein scene, but the concept was abandoned.

• A planned Muppet Halloween Special was to have featured Frankenstein and his Bride, among others, but the special was abandoned for what eventually became The Muppet Christmas Carol.

• Several Dr. Frankenstein-esque mad scientists, often with monsters, have been depicted in Sesame Street cartoons.

Connections

• Bil Baird created arctic sequence puppets for Frankenstein (1981, Broadway play)

• Peter Baird was the puppet master for Frankenstein (1981, Broadway play)

• Roger Bart played Dr. Frederick Frankenstein in Young Frankenstein (2007, Broadway musical)

• Timothy Bateson played a hypnotized man in The Evil of Frankenstein (1964)

• Geoffrey Bayldon played a police surgeon in Frankenstein Must Be Destroyed (1969)

• Kenneth Branagh played Victor Frankenstein in Frankenstein (1994) which he also directed and co-produced

• Peter Boyle played the Monster in Young Frankenstein (1974, film)

• Nick Brimble played the Monster in Frankenstein Unbound (1990)

• Mel Brooks directed and co-wrote Young Frankenstein (1974, film)and produced, and wrote book, lyrics, and music for the 2007 Broadway production

• Helena Bonham Carter played Elizabeth in Frankenstein (1994, film)

• Alan Caso was the cinematographer for Frankenstein (2004, TV miniseries)

• John Cleese played Professor Waldman in Frankenstein (1994, film)

• Robert De Niro played the Creature in Frankenstein (1994, film)

• Arthur Dignam played Bride of Frankenstein star Ernest Thesiger in Gods and Monsters (1998)

• Phyllis Diller played the Monster's Mate in Mad Monster Party? (1969)

• Tracey Eddon performed stunts in Frankenstein (1994, film)

• Marty Feldman played Igor in Young Frankenstein (1974)

• Bridget Fonda played Mary Shelley in Frankenstein Unbound (1990)

• John Gielgud played the chief constable in Frankenstein: The Real Story (1973, TV) and the blind hermit in Frankenstein (1984, TV)

• John Glover played Henry Clerval in Frankenstein (1981, Broadway play)

• Robert Hardy played Professor Krempe in Frankenstein (1994, film)

• James V. Hart produced Frankenstein (1994, film)

• Ian Holm played Baron Frankenstein in Frankenstein (1994, film)

• John Hurt played Dr. Joe Buchanan in Frankenstein Unbound (1990)

• William Hurt played Professor Waldman in Frankenstein (2004, miniseries)

• Tor Isedal played the caretaker in Victor Frankenstein (1977)

• Freddie Jones played Professor Richter in Frankenstein Must Be Destroyed (1969)

• Raúl Juliá played Dr. Victor Frankenstein in Frankenstein Unbound (1990)

• Madeline Kahn played Elizabeth in Young Frankenstein (1974, film)

• Irwin Keyes played the Monster in Frankenstein General Hospital (1988)

• Cloris Leachman played Frau Blücher in Young Frankenstein (1974, film)

• Christopher Lee played the Monster in The Curse of Frankenstein (1957)

• Jon Ludwig adapted Frankenstein for the stage

• Ian McNeice played Professor Krempe in Frankenstein (2004, miniseres)

• Andrea Martin played Frau Blucher in Young Frankenstein (2007, Broadway musical)

• James Mason played Dr. John Polidari in Frankenstein: The True Story (1973, TV)

• Frank Middlemass played a houseguest in Frankenstein Must Be Destroyed (1969)

• Vincent Price played the Invisible Man in Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein (1948)

• Jean Rochefort played Victor Frankenstein in Frankenstein 90 (1984) and the blind man in Frankenstein (2004 miniseries)

• Ben Stein played Dr. Who in Frankenstein General Hospital (1988)

• David Warner played the Monster in Frankenstein (1984, TV)

• Gene Wilder played Dr. Fredrick Frankenstein in Young Frankenstein (1974, film) which he also co-wrote

• Peter Woodthorpe played Professor Zoltan in The Evil of Frankenstein (1964)