It's Alive: 75th Anniversary Celebration of the classic film “Frankenstein” at Johnson County Museum of History

The terror of Frankenstein dates back to 1818, when Mary Shelley wrote her now classic novel. Many theatrical versions followed, as did silent films. Thomas Edison’s company made the first version of Frankenstein in 1910; yet, not until James Whale's 1931 version, did audiences and studios accept the horror movie as a classic genre.

On Saturday October 21st, 2006 at 7:00 P.M., Johnson County Museum of History at 135 North Main Street in Franklin, Indiana will sponsor a screening of James Whale's classic horror film Frankenstein. The evening will also feature an overview of the film and its impact, presented by filmmaker and self-confessed Frankenstein addict, Steve "Papaw" Pyatte.

It has been 75 years since this horror classic was unveiled to the world and its impact and imagery remains with us to this day. Most of us have only seen Frankenstein on the small screen…now is your chance to see it as it on the big screen.

Sarah Rogers, Director of the Johnson County Museum "The film, Frankenstein, not only provides great entertainment value, but has deep historical significance as the birth of the American horror film. The museum is concentrated on presenting the historical significance of cinema, as well as educating viewers about this film and the era and circumstances in which it was created. Even after 75 years, Frankenstein is still great fun, but also teaches valuable lessons about social prejudice."

“Boris Karloff’s…Frankenstein is still the greatest of all incarnations of monsterhood,” says Newsweek. Frankenstein was made in1931, by acclaimed and tormented director James Whale (Bride of Frankenstein, The Invisible Man.) Whale launched the iconic image of Boris Karloff with bolts in his neck and a scarred forehead that became the most famous movie monster of all time.