Excuse the stretch, but as I did mentioned Dracula in a previous blog entry I feel compelled to give equal time to Frankenstein. Since it is always nice to have a connection, this coming Monday marks the 250th anniversary of Mary Shelley’s mother birth. Mary Wollstonecraft was an early writer about and advocate of women’s rights born on April 27, 1759. Sadly she passed away just 11 days after the birth of her daughter, the creator of a very misunderstood monster. Along with Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde the three novels are considered classic gothic tales. No wonder, they were among the earliest of stories to be translated to film.
I am by no means an expert or a fan of scary movies. But I have it on good authority (my son and nephew) that the library’s collection is worth a look next time you need a good fright. There is a collection of early silent horror movies along with black and white favorites from the thirties such as Fredric March in Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. (Our DVD version shares a double billing with the 1951 Spencer Tracy version.) Modern masters of horror direction such as Robert Rodriguez and Danny Boyle are well represented.
Here’s a tricky question for you. Which American satirist and contemporary of Mark Twain is featured in Rodriguez’s movie From Dusk til Dawn? And another question for everyone. Do your recall the Saturday afternoon monster movies on a New York city station in the 60s?
