Thomas Edison's Frankenstein

Frankenstein, a young student, is seen bidding his sweetheart and father goodbye, as he is leaving home to enter a college in order to study the sciences. Shortly after his arrival at college he becomes absorbed in the mysteries of life and death to the extent of forgetting practically everything else. His great ambition is to create a human being, and finally one night his dream is realized. He is convinced that he has found a way to create a most perfect human being that the world has ever seen. We see his experiment commence and the development of it. The formation of the hideous monster from the blazing chemicals of a huge cauldron in Frankenstein's laboratory is probably the most weird, mystifying and fascinating scene ever shown on a film. To Frankenstein's horror, instead of creating a marvel of physical beauty and grace, there is unfolded before his eyes and before the audience an awful, ghastly, abhorrent monster. As he realizes what he has done Frankenstein rushes from the room, only to have the misshapen monster peer at him through the curtains of his bed. He falls fainting to the floor, where he is found by his servant, who revives him. After a few weeks' illness, he returns home, a broken, weary man, but under the loving care of father and sweetheart he regains his health and strength and begins to take a less morbid view of life. In other words, the story of the film brings out the fact that the creation of the monster was only possible because Frankenstein had allowed his normal mind to be overcome by evil and unnatural thoughts. His marriage is soon to take place. But one evening, while sitting in his library, he chances to glance in the mirror before him and sees the reflection of the monster which has just opened the door of his room. All the terror of the past comes over him and, fearing lest his sweetheart should learn the truth, he bids the monster conceal himself behind the curtain while he hurriedly induces his sweetheart, who then comes in, to stay only a moment. Then follows a strong, dramatic scene. The monster, who is following his creator with the devotion of a dog, is insanely jealous of anyone else. He snatches from Frankenstein's coat the rose which his sweetheart has given him, and in the struggle throws Frankenstein to the floor, here the monster looks up and for the first time confronts his own reflection in the mirror. Appalled and horrified at his own image he flees in terror from the room. Not being able, howevers to live apart from his creator, he again comes to the house on the wedding night and, searching for the cause of his jealousy, goes into the bride's room. Frankenstein coming into the main room hears a shriek of terror, which is followed a moment after by his bride rushing in and falling in a faint at his feet. The monster then enters and after overpowering Frankenstein's feeble efforts by a slight exercise of his gigantic strength leaves the house. Here comes the point which we have endeavored to bring out, namely: That when Frankenstein's love for his bride shall have attained full strength and freedom from impurity it will have such an effect upon his mind that the monster cannot exist. This theory is clearly demonstrated in the next and closing scene, which has probably never been surpassed in anything shown on the moving picture screen. The monster, broken down by his unsuccessful attempts to be with his creator, enters the room, stands before a large mirror and holds out his arms entreatingly. Gradually, the real monster fades away, leaving only the image in the mirror. A moment later Frankenstein himself enters. As he stands directly before the mirror we are amazed to see the image of the monster reflected instead of Frankenstein's own. Gradually, however, under the effect of love and his better nature, the monster's image fades and Frankenstein sees himself in his young manhood in the mirror. His bride joins him, and the film ends with their embrace, Frankenstein's mind now being relieved of the awful horror and weight it has been laboring under for so long.

- Written by The Edison Kinetogram

The Statement of Randolph Carter

Mike Bennett Recently contacted me for another cover image for one of his podcasts. This time It was a superb reading of H.P. Lovecrafts 'The Statement of Randolph Carter' Check it out here 

Herbert West

Mike Bennett's latest podcast is now uploaded and live, and in it he reads, From the Dark, the first part of H.P. Lovecraft's classic tale of horror, Herbert West: Reanimator.

Mike Says:

'I think it's one of the best things I've ever done, I'm really pleased with it.

I also reveal a little of my first homemade audio books from way back in the 1980s, and share some news about the ongoing process of writing the next chapters in the Underwood and Flinch Chronicles.'

The cover art is by your truly. Please visit Mikes page here to listen to some of his work, you won't regret it

Sun, Sea & Sanguine Fluid

The long awaited return of the multi award winning saga by Mike Bennett, is finally over with the return of the Underwood and Flinch chronicles, Volume 3 Blood and smoke.

"Blood & Smoke" is a great new audio novel from Mike Bennett. Though I highly recommend the podcast to all fans of horror and suspense, this does come with the warning that the subject matter is extremely graphic and intense in content. It is never gratuitous, however, for to hold back anything depicted in its chapters would betray the premise and the story would suffer for it.

   “Blood & Smoke” proves that not only has Bennett grown as an artist over his last few novels, he is also brave enough to follow a story where it leads. Stephen King stated that once he finished “Pet Sematary” he put it away in a drawer thinking it too extreme for publication. The shock and awe of this high adrenaline narrative has much the same effect of that King novel or “The Exorcist.”

   If you can endure the extreme horror of writers like Edward Lee, I highly recommend this venture by Mike Bennett. He takes the listener into the bleak darkness of addiction and obsession, but rather than relying on gore and shock, it is his emotionally charged depictions of the damned characters at its core that keep you hooked.

Do yourself a favour and pop over to iTunes and subscribe, you wont regret it

Underwood & Flinch Chronicles

As you all are aware, I have Produced a lot of artwork relating to the Vampire Podcast Underwood & Flinch. Well I have news Ladies and Gentlemen, The Podcast has gone to Electronic print. Thats right, if you enjoy the podcast, why not pop over to Amazon and get a copy of the first 2 volumes.

These books are a must for those of you who prefer a more mature vampire story, unlike the Recent stories and Films aimed at Hormonal teenagers. I can Guarantee, you will be by the end of the second book crying out for the third novel which is currently been written by the award winning Mike Bennett