So they're not the same monster?
They're not the same monster! One was the creation in keeping with the traditional story, and then the other is created by the great grandson, or the great-great-grandson, of Victor Frankenstein. He is calling himself Dr. Franken, as opposed to Dr. Frankenstein. And he is portrayed beautifully by this actor named Gary Brandt. This was his first major role in a motion picture. So we began again in the 1840s, with the traditional story setting the mood, setting the stage, and then we open up, I'll not tell you how, with what this direct descendant of the Frankenstein line is doing in today's world.
Gary Brandt portrays modern-day mad scientist Dr. Franken in Sterling Entertainment's
FRANKENSTEIN RISING (Photo courtesy of Andrew Crandall).
FRANKENSTEIN RISING (Photo courtesy of Andrew Crandall).
I think it was brilliantly written, but Eric Swelstad, the director, wanted something that contemporary audiences could relate to. I appreciated that so much! I'm thinking about all of the people, who are like me, the fans of the Frankenstein genre, the fans of Karloff, and how you'd want to be loyal to that tradition, and how could you even dare do a Frankenstein movie? So much has been done already...
The fans would know if you screwed it up!
Exactly. The fans would know. So if you're going to do a contemporary piece of the genre, you'd want to start, it's always best to start at the beginning, so that's what the film does. I was thrilled to have the distinction to play both monsters, the 1840s monster and then again, the contemporary monster. They are different monsters, with entirely different looks, and entirely different parts. That's all I'll say about that.
I watched the trailer last night on YouTube, and I hadn't realized it before, but Margaret O'Brien is also in there!
Oh my gosh yes. Legendary Oscar winner, Margaret O'Brien. She is an old friend of mine, and when I told her that I had been assigned, or was accepting, this role in the Frankenstein movie, she said, 'Really! Well, how daring.' And I said, 'Yeah, gosh, I think it's going to be great, I hope so, I'm really going to work hard,' and we were talking one night, at dinner, just talking about the script, and what all they had planned for it, and how they were bringing in this wonderful designer to design the laboratories, both the old lab and the new lab. And she said, 'Are there any references to, you know, in keeping with the story?' And I said 'Yeah, there's Mrs. Frankenstein', but I don't want to give too much away. But I thought to myself, 'You know something? Margaret would be great for this role!'
Now Margaret O'Brien is not the type of legend, there are very few legends in the world of motion pictures, and she is among them -- we have very few film legends left, unfortunately. She's not the kind of person you'd ask to come and read for it! You know? So I didn't say anything to her. I was hopeful, but I went to the director first, and to the producer, Michael W. Schwibs, and to David, who had brought me the project. And I said 'Hey, there's a part for a Mrs. Frankenstein. It's a cameo part, but it could be something great for Margaret O'Brien.' Now Mr. Swelstad, Eric, did not know that she was a very close friend of mine. He had no idea. He said, 'Well, that would be great if we could get her. Do you know her?' And I said, 'Well, kind of!' (laughs).
You could say so.
And he said, 'Do you think she would consider it?' That's what he asked me. And I said, "Well, probably. She might". And I ran to her that evening and I said, 'Margaret, if you want to be in this film, I would LOVE it! Would you please consider it?' She said, 'I'd love to!' And I'll tell you this, again, I don't want to give away too much, but she is wonderful!
It seemed as if she was telling the story from her point of view, in the trailer.
That's exactly right. It opens with her. She speaks so beautifully. She has a very distinctive vocal quality that she has had throughout her entire career. A very unique way of speaking, actually just her diction, and the way she speaks so marvelously, but she also looks so amazing, just gorgeous, and she is one of the greatest actresses I've ever worked with! I've had the pleasure of working with her in other films, too. And as I say, our closeness really makes it special, because it's always fun to have a lot of friends on the set, but when you're actually involved in scenes with them, boy, that's terrific!
Also, Jerry Maren plays Manlon, a Fritz- or Ygor-type character.
Jerry Maren. Oh my gosh, from The Wizard of Oz. I'm going to tell you this. That was amazing, because he's like 89 years old, he's this iconic, you know, the Lollipop Kid from the Munchkin scene in the movie The Wizard of Oz, which was what, 70 years ago? And to have him play the scenes in the old lab, it was amazing. It was just amazing. Every scene he's in, he steals! Because he's that incredible. He has that enormous, to be a little guy, to be a little person, he has a very enormous talent. Small guy, BIG TALENT! He was just, just amazing. His performance is astounding. He has the most wicked laugh that I have ever heard, and it just plays so beautifully in this picture. And that was a joy! That was a joy, a real delight, a treat, to work with Jerry.
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