FRANKENSTEIN 1910 - The first Frankenstein Film

Frankenstein (1910) is considered one of the earliest American horror films.  This, the first of many Frankenstein films was produced by Edison Studios and was written and directed by J. Searle Dawley. Dawley shot the film in only three days at the Edison Studios in the Bronx, New York City. This silent 13-minute (one-reel) version featured stage veteran actor Charles Ogle (unaccredited) as the monster. In this 1910 version of the story, the creature is created by Victor Frankenstein when he mixes chemicals into a cauldron.  This scene was created by burning a paper mache dummy of the creature and then printing the scene in reverse. Although crude by today’s standards it was quite an achievement in 1910.

 As with most American horror films of this era there in no real supernatural forces to contend with it was Edison’s intention to emphasize the mystic and psychological problems of the story.

 This film was considered a lost film until it was discovered by Alois F. Dettlatt a Wisconsin film collector who had had the film in his collection since the 1950’s. The film was deteriorated to a degree; however it was salvageable and was restored in the late 1970’s.