Frankenstein: The True Story

Frankenstein: The True Story is a 1973 American made-for-television horror movie.  It is loosely based on the novel Frankenstein by Mary Shelley. 

The movie added the character of Dr Polidori.  He was not in the original novel.  He was based on the character of Dr. Pretorius from Bride of Frankenstein. He was named after the real-life John Polidori.

A notable part of the movie is that instead of being ugly from the start, the Creature is portrayed as physically beautiful.  He becomes more ugly as the movie goes on. The make-up was by Hammer horror veteran artist Roy Ashton.

It was first broadcast in two 90-minute parts.  It is often seen edited into a single movie. The first DVDwas released on September 26, 2006. Included at the beginning is a short intro.  It has James Mason wandering through St John's Wood churchyard, London. He suggests that this is where Mary Shelley is buried.  This is incorrect as she is in fact buried in the family plot in Dorset.  The intro shows Mason standing beside a gravestone bearing her name.

Cast
 James Mason as Dr. Polidori
 Leonard Whiting as Dr. Victor Frankenstein
 David McCallum as Dr. Henry Clerval
 Jane Seymour as Agatha/Prima
 Nicola Pagett as Elizabeth Fanshawe
 Michael Sarrazin as The Creature
 Michael Wilding as Sir Richard Fanshawe
 Clarissa Kaye-Mason as Lady Fanshawe
 Agnes Moorehead as Mrs. Blair
 Margaret Leighton as Francoise DuVal
 Ralph Richardson as Mr. Lacey
 John Gielgud as Chief Constable (Police)
 Tom Baker as Sea Captain
 Dallas Adams as Felix
 Julian Barnes as Young Man
 Arnold Diamond as Passenger in Coach

Other websites

Category:1973 movies
Category:American horror movies


Category:Mad scientist movies
Category:Movies directed by Jack Smight