“ FRANKENSTEIN.”

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 520, 1 August 1932, Page 3

“ FRANKENSTEIN.”

Story of Man-Made Monster for St. James’s. Think of the time when you were a child. At night your mother came along with the story book, and, as she patiently read, > you pictured in your mind Jack climbing the beanstalk pursued by an angry giant. Those were the days of story charm. Tales that never will be forgotten remain fresh in your brain to this day—a whimsical memory. Now you have reached manhood or womanhood. You are ready to receive the highest form of dramatic literary effort, electrifying in its appeal. You should be able to stand anything, though perhaps it may savour of revolution. Don your badge of courage. The time is now at hand to learn of the modern Prometheus, the man-made monster of Frankenstein’s terrifying creation, of which the famous Sir Phillip Sidney said: “A tale which holdeth children from play and old men from the chimney corner.” Frankenstein’s creation was a man: he had no name, so they called him The Monster. On .hearing of him, you may perhaps ridicule. On seeing him you’ll never forget his overwhelming power. To say that there is no moral in anything of this kind is to rob “ Frankenstein ” of the glory that belongs to its lesson to mankind. To scientists, i physicians, .professors, inventors and experimenters it is a warning not to proceed too far with scientific invention, that might, in _ turn round and destroy its

Frankenstein was a brilliant young medico, who lived to see a man into whom he had instilled life with the aid of electricity subdue his fellow-men. In his fight for fame he brought . shame upon his own soul. In all its magnitude Universal Pictures has brought to the screen the unforgettable story bv Mary Wollstonecroft Shelley, and it will be released at the St James’ Theatre next Saturday. One should see this peture to realise that our brother men around us, in their wild experiments in all parts of the world, are striving to attain the impossible. In its mechanical rush the world might some day make a slip, and the result would be disastrous. “ Frankenstein ” is undeniably reputed to be one of the five different themes in the world. Its immensity and fantastic charm fairly stagger the imagination. Its tense and dramatic story provokes pity for the man-made man. There is always food for thought, and " Frankenstein ” will give audiences something to really think about. The box plans will open on Thursday at The Bristol Piano Company.