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Edison's Frankenstein (Book & Video)
 
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Edison's Frankenstein (Book & Video) [DVD-ROM]

Frederick C. Wiebel Jr. (Author)
4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)

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Book Description

March 18, 2009
The complete torturous story of the 1910 film version of Frankenstein is revealed in this 100th Anniversary E-edition, presented in Word Format and PDF so that it can be read on all computers. This 2 disc package also contains a DVD of the Edison motion picture, also playable on your TV. The book tells everything you ever wanted to know about the classic first Frankenstein film and then some. This highly researched 200 page 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 of the making of the film and its disappearance leads 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 recently discovered Edison Manufacturing Co. documents and numerous rare photographs, many in color, published for the first time, this motion picture, it s unknown impact on later Frankenstein films and intertexuality are finally revealed and brought to life. Created in a style that appeals to all audiences, author Wiebel brings forth a living E-Book from dead tissues. Edison s Frankenstein stands on its own in the world of Horror filmography. This edition is welcome in any library. Now being offered with a DVD-R of the 1910 Frankenstein film, restored to the original titles with no visible watermarks is accompanied by a stirring soundtrack created from the original music cues edited from Edison Phonograph cylinders of the time period, it s become essential. 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

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Editorial Reviews

Review

Edison's Frankenstein reviewed by Phil Hall - Contrary to popular belief, the first film version of Frankenstein was not the 1931 classic with Boris Karloff, but an obscure, 15-minute silent version made in 1910, filmed in the Bronx and produced by none other than Thomas Edison. Frederick C. Wiebel, Jr.'s Edison's Frankenstein traces the remarkable journey of this rarely-seen gem from the chaotic early days of silent movie making to its unexpected rediscovery in a suburban Milwaukee basement after being considered lost for decades. Wiebel's research brings to life the little-known filmmaking ventures of Thomas Edison's business empire. Churning out films by the dozen at a studio in the then-rural Bronx, Edison was among the earliest moguls of the nascent cinema. Frankenstein was originally considered to be just another film. According to studio production notes, the story was "liberally adapted" and condensed, focusing on the monster's creation and subsequent rejection by its master. Yet the film's unusual special effects, including Dr. F bubbling up his monster in an oversized cauldron via stop-action trick photography, and actor Charles Ogle's hirsute and horrific incarnation were more than run-of-the-mill for the times. It disappeared quickly after its first run, withdrawn from circulation and forgotten. For decades no one even recalled it existed until a film scholar accidentally discovered literature and stills in 1963, but no clue was found concerning the whereabouts of existing prints. After having gained near-legendary status as a lost film, a print finally turned up in the home a collector. Edison's Frankenstein offers remarkable insight into all aspects of the budding film industry. Biographical notes and pictures of the film's creators and actors, along with copies of the screenplay and reviews, have been tracked down, and provide a unique glimpse into an unknown corner of film history. Wiebel also details the long search for the missing film and the epiphany of learning that a complete print was very much intact. The author interviews several film scholars to pinpoint the place this film deserves in the realm of science fiction, with surprisingly different viewpoints. A remarkable work of cinematic scholarship, this thoroughly researched book not unlike Dr. Frankenstein himself brings to life a creation long considered dead. --Organica News

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 --Interview

Product Details

  • DVD-ROM: 200 pages
  • Publisher: Frederick C. Wiebel, Jr. Fine Arts Studio (March 18, 2009)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1890313092
  • ISBN-13: 978-1890313098
  • Product Dimensions: 7.3 x 5.3 x 0.6 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #612,519 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

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.

 

Customer Reviews

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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars Baby Steps, October 21, 2010
This review is from: Edison's Frankenstein (Book & Video) (DVD-ROM)
This is a review of the film not the text history of the film that is also included.

Is it possible to judge a film made in 1910, its direction and acting by the standards we use today. It is not. Sure, its acting is over the top and very silly to boot. No one in the film has any personality or devlopment and the story is told at break neck speed. Events jump from one to other without much setup. Still to any fan of Mary Shelley's classic work, Edison Frankenstein is a must have. Here is cinema's first attempt to bring the story of Frankenstein to screen and in it's short 15 minutes running time it manages to cover a lot of ground.

The film opens with young Victor Frankenstein (Augustus Phillips) leaving his home, family and friends for college. A title card explains a jump in time in which Frankenstein has learned the secrets of creating life and is ready to do so. We then see Frankenstein peering through the window of a large chamber where his creation (Charles Ogle) is brought to life.

A special note must be made of the creation scene. No mad electrical machines as used in later versions of the story. Mary Shelley never gave any details as to the monster's actual creation so filmmakers have always been able to have fun with this. Here the monster is brought to life in a large vat through either an early form of stop motion or time lapse photography and I find the scene very impressive.

After his creation is brought to life and in a scene lifted directly from the novel Frankenstein recoils in terror at what he has done, and collapes on his bed. The monster follows after him, draws open the bed curtains and stares down on him.

Ogle's monster makeup is like nothing you have seen before. Yet I am somewhat reminded of Universal's version of the monster due to what appears to be a flat top head cover by long wild hair, and a very pale face.

Frankenstein later returns home and plans to marry Elizabeth (Mary Fuller). There the monster confronts his creator again but is destroyed by Frankenstein's better nature.

I am so very happy to add this film that was long thought lost to my collection. Now I can only hope that a copy of the second film adaptation of Frankenstein 1915's Life Without a soul can be located.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Work!!!, March 7, 2010
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This review is from: Edison's Frankenstein (Book & Video) (DVD-ROM)
This Ebook is a wonderful investigation on Edison`s Frankenstein and the dvd is a great film restoration. I just want to congratulate Frederick C. Wiebel for this marvelous material. Frederick, THANK YOU very much because you are one of those few people who give his or her life for the sake of art. I really appreciate your effort and your incredible work. Buy this material, don't hesitate, is a wonderful piece of art.
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4.0 out of 5 stars Edison's FRANKENSTEIN worth a look!, August 22, 2010
By 
Bill Shaffer "bshaffer2" (Tecumseh, Kansas United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Edison's Frankenstein (Book & Video) (DVD-ROM)
Edison's FRANKENSTEIN is an excellent package - a great book on DVD-ROM and an excellent movie DVD as well with the entire film with good inter-titles. This is well worth a look.

Bill Shaffer
.
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