The Curse of Frankenstein

About this Broadcast

An obsessive scientist is determined to create life and builds a creature using parts taken from various corpses. He succeeds in animating the monster, but its brain is damaged in the process, driving it mad and causing it to embark on a killing spree. The first in Hammer's series of horror films inspired by Mary Shelley's novel, starring Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee

1957 subtitles

Horror Movie/Drama

Cast & Crew

Peter Cushing (Actor) .. Victor Frankenstein

Christopher Lee (Actor) .. Creature

Hazel Court (Actor) .. Elizabeth

Robert Urquhart (Actor) .. Paul Krempe

Melvyn Hayes (Actor) .. Young Victor

Valerie Gaunt (Actor) .. Justine

Paul Hardtmuth (Actor) .. Professor Bernstein

Fred Johnson (Actor) .. Grandpa

Terence Fisher (Director)

More Information

Did You Know..

Peter Cushing (Actor) .. Victor Frankenstein

Christopher Lee (Actor) .. Creature

Born: May 27, 1922 in Belgravia, London

Best Known For: Playing Dracula.

Early-life: Born Christopher Frank Carandini Lee on May 27, 1922, in Belgravia, London, the son of an Italian aristocrat and a soldier. He had an older sister, Xandra, whose daughter is actress Harriet Walter. When their parents divorced, the children were raised by their mother and her second husband, a banker. Lee attended Wellington College, then worked in a London shipping office before serving in the RAF during the Second World War. On being demobbed, he was snapped up by Rank Studios, but failed to get a big break, appearing instead in several small roles.

Career: Lee hit the big time in 1957 when his formidable height landed him the role of the monster in Hammer's The Curse of Frankenstein. It marked the beginning of his horror movie partnership with Peter Cushing, which also included such films as Dracula, The Mummy, and The Gorgon. Lee went on to become one of the world's most prolific actors. Star Wars episodes II and III and The Lord of the Rings introduced him to a new generation of fans. Other significant titles include The Wicker Man, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Gremlins II, The Man with the Golden Gun and The Golden Compass. He also appeared in Alice in Wonderland, Burke and Hare, Season of the Witch and The Hobbit. He died on June 7, 2015, at the age of 93 due to respiratory problems and heart failure.

Quote: 'There are many vampires in the world today - you only have to think of the film business.'

Trivia: Lee was knighted in 2009. Away from acting, he was an accomplished singer and had an intriguing sideline as a heavy metal star.