Kenneth Strickfaden, Dr. Frankenstein's Electrician [Paperback]

Harry Goldman (Author), Ed Angell (Foreword)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0786420642 | ISBN-13: 978-0786420643 | Publication Date: November 11, 2005

Kenneth Strickfaden, innovative genius of illusionary special effects from silent films to the age of television, set the standard for Hollywood’s mad scientists. Strickfaden created the science fiction apparatus in more than 100 motion picture films and television programs, from 1931’s Frankenstein to the Wizard of Oz and The Mask of Fu Manchu to television’s The Munsters. The skilled technician, known around Hollywood’s back lots as “Mr. Electric,” once doubled for Boris Karloff in a dangerous scene and was nearly electrocuted. From his birth in 1896 to his death in 1984, Strickfaden’s life was filled with adventure. He spent his early years working the amusement parks on both coasts, served overseas as a Marine during World War I, took a 1919 cross-country trip in a dilapidated Model T, and favored risky pursuits like automobile and speedboat racing. He worked as an aeronautical mechanic, constructing airplanes for an historic around-the-world flight. A science teacher at heart, he gave 1,500 traveling science demonstration lectures across the U.S. and Canada. Besides covering Strickfaden’s entire personal and professional life, this book discusses how later films show his influence. It reveals the fate of his collection of equipment, and is richly illustrated with numerous rare and previously unpublished photographs. Appendices provide a selection of notes, doodles, and scribbles from Strickfaden’s notebooks, informal sketches, correspondence, documents, a chronology of his film and television contributions, a bibliography, a film index, and a complete subject index.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Retired science teacher Harry Goldman founded the Tesla Coil Builders’ Association and edited and published the TCBA News for 20 years. His work has appeared in Filmfax, Radio Today, American West and numerous other publications. He lives in Queensbury, New York.

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: McFarland & Company (November 11, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786420642
• ISBN-13: 978-0786420643
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.9 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,281,576 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A compelling biography, July 9, 2008

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Grizzy (Chicago) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Kenneth Strickfaden, Dr. Frankenstein's Electrician (Paperback)

As a sci-fi buff growing up and watching those sci-fi movies I always wondered where those awesome special electrical effects came from. In those days special effects (FX) were not computer generated but in fact done live. This book answers the question of where these electrical FX came from. A compelling as well as fascinating read, making you want to revisit those films again and head to the rental store just to see those FX once again.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Horror movie background info, April 1, 2006

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Old movie fan - See all my reviews

This review is from: Kenneth Strickfaden, Dr. Frankenstein's Electrician (Paperback)

This is a great story about the little-known genius behind the creation of the mad-scientist labs in so many of the old horror films we all love, Dr. Frankenstein's lab being the most famous and familiar. You get a feel for what was happening in the world that reflected in Strickfaden's life at various stages and it's fun to read some of the Hollywood set stories.This book is obviously written by someone who has a great respect for the person and the talent embodied in Kenneth Srtickfaden.
The photos are facinating as are the several pages of the original sketches for the equipment he made.
(By the way, you can see a glimpse of Strickfaden in the trailer with Mel Brooks on the DVD of Young Frankenstein, also highly recommended.)

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Tesla Coils Create the Movie, November 9, 2006

By 

Michael Nelson (New Jersey) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Kenneth Strickfaden, Dr. Frankenstein's Electrician (Paperback)

Harry Goldman did an excellent job on reporting on Ken Strickfadens life and achievements. He also proved that nothing comes close to real sparks for a movie. Reccomend this book for movie buffs, Nikola Tesla fans, and historians!