The Curse of Frankenstein

Lore & Background

The film sees Victor Frankenstein, upon being sentenced to death, recount his attempt to create a perfect human, resulting in a violent creature. It stars Peter Cushing as Frankenstein and Christopher Lee as the Creature, with Hazel Court and Robert Urquhart in supporting roles. Producer Max Rosenberg originally approached James Carreras at Hammer with a deal to produce Frankenstein and the Monster, but Rosenberg and Milton Subotsky sold the rights outright to Hammer for a flat fee of $5,000 each, with no profit participation. Screenwriter Jimmy Sangster, who adapted the novel, kept production costs in mind and avoided scenes like villagers storming the castle because 'we couldn't afford it'.

Reader's Guide

The Curse of Frankenstein is significant as Hammer's first colour horror film and the foundation of their Frankenstein series, which helped define the 'Hammer Horror' brand. Its worldwide success led to sequels and new versions of Dracula and The Mummy. Professor Patricia MacCormack called it the 'first really gory horror film, showing blood and guts in colour'. The film was a tremendous financial success, reportedly grossing more than 70 times its production cost during its original theatrical run. In the US, it earned $72,000 in its first week at the Paramount Theatre on Broadway, giving the theater its biggest opening week on straight-film policy in two years. The film's legacy includes influencing rival studio Amicus Films, founded by Rosenberg and Subotsky after their involvement with this production.

Did You Know?

• Christopher Lee was cast largely due to his height of 6'5", though Hammer had considered the even taller Bernard Bresslaw.
• Screenwriter Jimmy Sangster avoided writing scenes of villagers storming the castle because the production could not afford them.