The Mary Shelley story, adapted by Antony Ellis is presented for the second time on the series. The famous story that explores the nature of human life and man’s control over it. The broadcast stars Stacy Harris as Dr. Frankenstein. The living monster he creates awes and frightens him. The existential questions that are caused are explored in his interaction with a minister, horrified by the creation of a “man without a soul.” He urges him to end his experiments. The prospect of creating a life is too alluring, and he continues. The monster eventually escapes the laboratory and listeners are left to contemplate what might happen next.
The story was first presented in 1952 with Herbert Marshall in the lead role. Details about the story and the performance, and amusing comments from actor Paul Frees, who supplied the monster’s grunts and groans in that broadcast, are available at:
https://suspenseproject.blogspot.com/2024/08/1952-11-03-frankenstein.html
https://archive.org/details/TSP521103 is the site where the recordings can be downloaded or streamed.
The 1952 broadcast might be preferred by many because the role seems suited to Marshall’s often pained delivery, which adds to the moral dilemma of the story, and Joe Kearns excellent performance as the minister.
Three recordings have survived, with the network recording as the best. Two Armed Forces Radio Service recordings are available (AFRS#536 and AFRS#813) and they are in fine sound with a slightly limited range. All three of the recordings are very good, with the network one with a slightly richer sound.
LISTEN
TO THE PROGRAM or download in FLAC or
mp3
https://archive.org/details/TSP550607
THE CAST
Stacy Harris (Victor Frankenstein), Barney Phillips (The Monster), Herb Butterfield (Rev. Gibson), Vivi Janiss (Elizabeth / Mrs. Gibson), Larry Thor (Narrator)
###
