Communicating Fears in Film: Monstrous Metaphors, Part 2 - Frankenstein (1931)

Send us Fan MailIn this second entry in the Communicating Fears in Film focus on "Monstrous Metaphors", cohosts Garret Castleberry and Scott McMurry reanimate the hidden horror history of director James Whale's horror film Frankenstein (1931). Adapted from Mary Shelly's 1818 novel Frankenstein; Or, the Modern Prometheus, Universal Studios solidified their "Classic Monster Movie" formula (2:10) with this second feature that released later in the same year audiences came out to screen Bela Lugosi portray Dracula. Along the way, Scott and Garret assess the ebb and flow of horror's cultural popularity in the early twentieth century (3:00), the role(s) involved in Frankenstein's adaptation (6:27), Universal's recurring theatrical troupe, the film's classical film form (17:45), and Frankenstein's points of imitation and innovation (27:27). The dialogic duo wrestle with Frankenstein's flaws that director Whale would iron out in later efforts like The Invisible Man (1933) and The Bride of Frankenstein (1935). The hosts conclude with an examination of the ways in which Frankenstein communicates fear in film (1:13:00).  Hosts: Garret Castleberry, Scott McMurryProducers: Garret Castleberry, Will McMurry (Audio Engineer), Alli Garner (Cover Art), Austin Foster (Music)Recommended readings paired with Season Seven "Communicating Fears in Film":Kendall Phillips. Projected Fears: Horror Films and American Culture. Praeger, 2006.Stephen Prince. Apocalypse Cinema. Rutgers University Press, 2021.Murray Leeder. Horror Film: A Critical Introduction. Bloomsbury Academic Press, 2018.Additional Research available via the Universal Classic Monsters: Icons of Horror Collection [UHD].Ways to Connect with us online:Join the Special Topics in Media Facebook Group and share your reviews of the film or this episode.Follow and engage with Special Topics in Media on Twitter at @podcast_topics.Subscribe to Dr. Castleberry's academic YouTube Channel.Garret's academic website is available at https://garretcastleberry.academia.edu/.Support the show