THE COMPLETE TORTUROUS STORY of the 1910 film version of Frankenstein is narrated in this 100th Anniversary edition. Everything you ever wanted to know about the classic first Frankenstein film and then some. This highly researched document begins in the dusty archives of Thomas A. Edison and follows a trail of evidence that leads through the tattered pages of pre- Hollywood film history. The story unfolds of the making of the film and its disappearance on to the actual re-discovery of the long-lost 1910 Frankenstein film starring Charles Ogle, Augustus Phillips, and Mary Fuller, and finally getting it released on DVD. Helped step-by-step with obscure Edison Manufacturing Co. documents and numerous rare photographs, many published for the very first time, this motion picture, its unknown impact on later Frankenstein films and intertextuality are finally revealed and brought back to life. Created in a style that appeals to all audiences, author Wiebel brings forth a living book from dead tissues. Edison's Frankenstein stands on its own in the world of horror filmography and is a welcome edition to any library. "Of the over 400 books on Frankenstein that I have in my library, this is the gem of my collection and the one I've been waiting for." - Forrest J. Ackerman
Frederick C. Wiebel, Jr. is a 58 year old artist and writer from Hagerstown, MD, who has won many awards for his drawings and paintings and has been exhibited in museums and galleries nationally. In 1978 Wiebel created a bust of '20s jazz legend Bix Beiderbecke for Davenport, IA and was given the key to the city by the mayor at their annual Beiderbecke Jazz Festival. Recently he has turned his attention to writing continues to produce articles for niche publications such as FilmFax, Outre', Discoveries, and Cool And Strange Music Magazine.
Wiebel has not only designed artwork for album and CD covers for various small jazz and blues record labels but has also produced and recorded numerous music CDs. For 20 years Fred worked in broadcasting in the Washington, DC area as a programmer, commercial voice over artist, "talk radio commentator" and host of his own programs playing novelty and comedy records as "Grosso The Clown". As "Uncle Fred" he had a 6 hour weekly radio show, "Blue Notes" playing a mix of traditional and contemporary Blues musicians. During this time he interviewed and recorded live concerts for his show including; John Mayall, John Hammond, Otis Rush, Honey Boy Edwards, Robert Jr. Lockwood, Pinetop Perkins, Luther Allison, Bernard Allison, Gatemouth Brown, Cephus and Wiggins, Hot Tuna, Earl King, John Jackson, Rory Block, The Nighthawks, Dan Hicks and His Hot Licks, and many, many more local and regional bands. Wiebel has been compiling these interviews and recordings into CD and book form.
Fred was the editor and publisher of "Firezine" the official magazine of The Firesign Theatre for 5 years. In that capacity, he performed many tasks for the group, including publicity, compiling information, collecting recordings, ephemera and developing and producing 5 Firesign Theatre CDs that were released by group's own label "More Sugar". Wiebel recently put together a book of interviews with a complete discography of the group "Backwards Into The Future: The Recorded History of The Firesign Theatre" published in 2006 by BearManor Media.
Perhaps Mr. Wiebel is best known for his work involving "Edison's Frankenstein" He helped find, restore, and facilitate the production of the first DVD release of the Frankenstein film. Fred has screened and lectured about the historic motion picture from coast to coast at various institutions, universities and film conventions including The National Institute of Health, The University of Dayton, The Symposium Center in NYC, The Fort Lee NJ Film Commission, Cinecon 33 in Hollywood, CA, and The Monster Bash and Chiller Theater horror film conventions.
Wiebel also worked with 2 others to produce a graphic novel, "Edison's Frankenstein 1910" published by Comic International Library in 2003. Wiebel has become quite an authority on the Frankenstein film and has been consulted by authors, scholars, students and institutions from around the world. He even supplied a photograph of the Edison Frankenstein monster and information that was used for the popular TV game show, "Jeopardy". He has received many honors and accolades including a letter of commendation from the Library of Congress for his efforts on Edison's Frankenstein. Wiebel has also been interviewed about it by CNN radio, with articles on him published by the Associated Press, The New York Post, The Washington Times, The Herald-Mail and many other publications.
