BRIGHT BULB SCREENINGS, Free Screening Series @ The Rotunda (4014 Walnut, Philly)
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The Little-Screened 1973 Epic!
FRANKENSTEIN: THE TRUE STORY (1973, directed by Jack Smight, 182 minutes, U.S./U.K.)
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One of the most thought-provoking takes on Mary Shelley's timeless novel, 1973's FRANKENSTEIN: THE TRUE STORY was originally conceived as a lavish all-star network TV event, running over two consecutive nights on NBC. Starring Leonard Whiting as Victor Frankenstein (Zeffirelli's “Romeo”) and handsome big-screen lead Michael Sarrazin as The Monster, this telling of the classic tale honors many of the main themes of the novel (it is the first to include Shelley's arctic finale) while incorporating ideas from both the Universal and Hammer Studios versions.
FRANKENSTEIN: THE TRUE STORY (1973, directed by Jack Smight, 182 minutes, U.S./U.K.)
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One of the most thought-provoking takes on Mary Shelley's timeless novel, 1973's FRANKENSTEIN: THE TRUE STORY was originally conceived as a lavish all-star network TV event, running over two consecutive nights on NBC. Starring Leonard Whiting as Victor Frankenstein (Zeffirelli's “Romeo”) and handsome big-screen lead Michael Sarrazin as The Monster, this telling of the classic tale honors many of the main themes of the novel (it is the first to include Shelley's arctic finale) while incorporating ideas from both the Universal and Hammer Studios versions.
But the film's most-distinctive element is its script by the gay literary figure Christopher Isherwood and his partner, artist Don Bachardy. Isherwood is most famous for his 1939 autobiographical novel Goodbye to Berlin, the basis of the musical CABARET. Isherwood & Bachardy's lively and inventive rendition lends to the queerest of readings, with Victor lavishing love and instruction to Sarrazin's beautiful childlike creature, only to turn his back when the Monster's beauty begins to decay. Victor may want to forget the Monster and return to society with his bride but the decaying creature continues to haunt Victor like a guilty conscience.
Shot in England, the cast is loaded with celebrated actors, including James Mason as the nefarious Dr. Polidori, The Man From U.N.C.L.E.'s David McCallum is Victor's twisted mentor, Jane Seymour (fresh from the Bond film LIVE AND LET DIE) is the feral Monster's Bride, and Agnes Moorhead, Tom “Dr. Who” Baker and Sirs Ralph Richardson and John Gielgud filling out the impressive cast.
FRANKENSTEIN: THE TRUE STORY creates an impressive sense of scale for the modern fable, with Victor's solar-fueled laboratory being particularly impressive (production design by Wilfrid Shingleton, of Polanski's MACBETH). Decades later, it is still among the vivid tellings of Shelley's classic, Bright Bulb is pleased to give this memorable production a rare theatrical screening.
“The True Story captures more of her contemplative, lyrical perspective than nearly any other Frankenstein adaptation.”
- Josh Bell, Crooked Marquee
(The Three Hour Program Will Include a Brief Intermission)
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