Tales of Tomorrow #16: Frankenstein (1952)
1952 · Television · 23 min
- Horror
Synopsis
A live tv production of Frankenstein from the anthology series Tales of Tomorrow. Legend has it that Lon Chaney Jr. (playing the monster) was unaware that it wasn't a rehearsal, so rather than break up props as planned, he simply put them down. While he certainly does some odd things with the chairs and appears to ask a question to somebody off stage (at 12:04), he does break up some props, and certainly isn't the only one flubbing (or was 'elictricigate' a word in the day of Mary Shelley?)…
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- Running time
- 23 minutes
Reviews on the Internet Archive
★★★★★ · Fantastic · CaptJach · 2013-06-01
Though I'm unaware of the rumor about Mr Chaney not being aware this wasn't a rehearsal, the notion is ridiculous. He wasn't wandering around, picking things up, talking to someone offstage, etc. He was doing a great job of being the monster. Watch him watch the two people arrange the furniture. Then he walks on to help. Watch his face and body language. His character is just like the original. He's confused, but trying to help. He gets flustered when he's rejected and can't talk about it. Imagine a stroke victim, aware but unable to express himself. Same thing when he looks "offstage." He's…
★★★★ · Monstrously entertaining · Midnight Dangler · 2020-01-13
Emoting as only the Lon man can, this forgotten early low budget live tv gem proves less can be a whole lot more. The dude from "One Step Beyond" pre proto serling days and the butler was an accomplished stage actor later to star with Jason Robards in a live tv "The Iceman Cometh". Death by dangling clothesline scene at the end not to be missed!
★★★★ · See the great Lon Chaney Jr. as the Frankenstein's Monster · Vance Capley · 2011-05-29
The only reason I give this 4 stars is that the ending is missing otherwise...it was fantastic! Fans of the old spook shows of the 50's will really get a charge out of this one!