This past Tuesday, the Mattapoisett Free Public Library continued their October Frightfully Fun Film Fest. This week was James Whale’s Frankenstein from 1931.
This version of Frankenstein was the first time Victor Frankenstein’s monster was put in a major motion picture. The film, based on a 1927 play of Mary Shelley’s 1818 novel, spawned numerous sequels over the next 15 years. Boris Karloff, or “Karloff the Uncanny,”played the monster in three films.
At the library that night, the temperature had finally started to cool, and the sun began to set. A projector and pop-up screen were set up on the front lawn, and those looking for true chills showed up with lawn chairs, blankets, and popcorn to watch; some passersby slowed down their stroll too. The famous “it’s alive!” could be heard down on Church Street. If only there was a thunderstorm to complete the immersion!
This continuing series of spooky films will grace Mattapoisett on Tuesdays this month. The next movie will be Blackbeard’s Ghost from 1968.
Mattapoisett Frightfully Fun Film Festival
By Sam Bishop