Mary Wollstonecraft Shelleys classic novel Frankenstein: or, The Modern Prometheus, first published in 1818, started a phenomeon that has survived the years and permeated many aspects of popular culture. It has spawned numerous films, television programs, books, comics, stage presentations, and the like, and continues to do so today. Like Frankenstein, this work is made up of many individual parts, some of which are quite different in their specific themes, but all of which relate to Frankenstein in some way. They consider the untold true story of Frankenstein, Glenn Stranges portrayals of Frankenstein, the protrayals of lesser-known actors who played the Frankenstein monster, Peter Cushing and his role as Baron (and Dr.) Frankenstein, the classic film Young Frankenstein co-written by Mel Brooks and Gene Wilder (who also starred in it), the battles between do-gooders and Frankenstein and other horror figures, Frankenstein in cartoons--and much more. Each of the 15 essays, all written by the author, is prefaced with explanatory notes that place the essay in its historical perspective, comment on its origin and content, and where appropriate, supplement the text with new, additional, or otherwise relevant information. Richly illustrated.

From December 1957 through October 1959, Chicago TV viewers were held in thrall by ""Marvin,"" the ghoulishly hilarious host of WBKB-TV's late-night horror film series Shock Theatre. Marvin and his lady friend ""Dear"" (her face ever hidden from the camera) introduced thousands of Chicagoland youngsters to such classic Universal chillers as Frankenstein, Dracula and The Wolf Man. This history of Shock Theatre focuses on the series and its creator, Marvin himself--in real life, the multi-talented Terry Bennett, whose wife Joy played ""Dear."" Terry's son Kerry Bennett provides an affectionate foreword, while celebrated horror host Count Gore De Vol (Dick Dyszel) supplies the afterword. Included are dozens of photos and vintage advertisement reproductions, as well as two appendices featuring a resume of Terry Bennett's career and a list of films telecast during his two-year Shock Theatre run.

In 1953, a nine-year-old boy watched a prehistoric film called ""Beast From 20,000 Fathoms"", featuring the special effect magic of Ray Harryhausen. Enthralled by the movie but unsatisfied with what was available for at-home movie consumption, he decided to make his own science fiction thriller from dinosaurs to superheroes. This volume takes a firsthand look at the movie-making career of Don Glut. Beginning with his first movie, ""Diplodocus At Large"", at age nine, it explores Glut's various attempts and the increasingly creative processes he used to bring his vision to life. Through the course of the work, Glut discusses his filmmaking experiences at the University of Southern California; the inspiration he received (and gave) through fanzines such as ""Famous Monsters of Filmland"" and ""Castle of Frankenstein""; and the interest which his movies still generate. The films discussed include: ""The Earth Before Man"", ""Spy Smasher vs. the Purple Monster"", ""Dinosaur Valley Girls"", and ""Frankenstein Meets Dracula"". A chronological filmography lists each of Glut's 41 films with notes regarding cast and a brief synopsis.

First published in 1973

Although they had won a significant battle, the war between the Rebels and the Empire had really just begun. Soon, Luke, Han, the princess and their faithful companions were forced to flee, scattering in all directions--the Dark Lord's minions in fevered pursuit....

This is Donald F. Glut's brand new companion to his classic volume, True Vampires of History. As in his first book, True Werewolves of History, uses contemporary chronicles and new research to bring to life the stories of over 100 werewolves from the pages of history. This new 21st Century tour-de-force brings together real tales of werewolves (not to mention "were" bears and "were" jaguars) from throughout the world and across the centuries. You'll find them all in this volume for your historical delectation and gruesome enlightenment. Even if you are pure of heart you may find that these tales awaken the ancient fears when the moon is full and the wolfbane blooms.

Donald F. Glut's classic is back in print after decades, bringing to life again tales of historical vampires taken from numerous contemporary chronicles dating from the days of the Roman Empire up through the recorded exploits of vampire hunters of the Twentieth Century. From the cobblestone streets of European cities, through the vastness of Asia and the jungles of Africa, to the secret haunts of the New World, the author brings his researches to life in over fifty narratives of vampire case histories. Have you ever wondered whether or not vampires actually exist? Folklore or fact? Donald F. Glut's classic survey of the historical record provides food for thought fascinating insights into sanguinary world of True Vampires of History.

Here is the fifth supplement to Dinosaurs: The Encyclopedia, a 1998 American Library Association Outstanding Reference Book. Since the publication of the acclaimed first volume, a virtual explosion in the number of exciting discoveries in dinosaur paleontology has made supplemental volumes necessary and indispensable. Among the many dramatic events discussed in the fifth supplement are the discovery of what may be the largest Jurassic theropod specimen yet collected; the uncovering of evidence of a dinosaur possessing opposable fingers; and Robert M. Sullivan's reassessment of Pachycepholasauria. Like the previous supplements, this volume includes lengthy sections on dinosaurian schematics and genera and updates the encyclopedia's list of excluded genera. Supplemental volumes do not repeat information from earlier volumes, but build upon them: view all volumes on the series page.