FRANKENS TE I N BAS ED ON THE NOVEL

BY MARY S H ELLY

Script

By

Joseph Madden

ANNOUNCER

Listen to the waves.Sound FX: Waves

Listen to the bell.Sound FX: Bell

ANNOUNCER

Out of the past, phantoms of a world gone by speak again the immortal tale : Frankenstein.Sound FX: Wind

VICTORThe wind howling outside my lonely home is my only companion. All else is quiet here as I sit by my window in the parlor writing this document for the scientific world. Be warned you doctors and scientists who come after me; be warned that man must not experiment with the secrets of life.

VICTORMy experiences started in the University of Manchester where I was studying natural history. It was after class May 22nd 18 hundred and 18, that professor Waldman, my close dear friend Henry Claval, and myself were in the laboratory of the university…..

PROFESSOR

Victor Frankenstein, your persistence amazes me; someday I shall sit at your feet and allow you to teach me.

VICTOR

Thank you professor Waldman, but the whole subject of the structure of man has always been too clouded in mysticism.

HENRY

Well frankly Victor, I prefer mysticism.

VICTOR

That's because you're a mystic Henry.

PROFESSOR

Why Henry's no more a mystic than I am. He just loves to avoid arduous work.

HENRY

Oh, translating that means I'm lazy, eh professor?

PROFESSOR

Well, if you prefer to put it that way. I rather think of you as a student who's nervous structure does not take kindly to natural history.

VICTOR

The professor's kinder to you than you are to yourself Henry.

HENRY

Well, if I worked as hard as you do Victor, I should probably wear that same gaunt sleepless look that you carry about.

VICTOR

Well, my experiment will be finished tonight. And then I'll manage the eight hours sleep that other men manage.

PROFESSOR

The secret experiment that will be finished tonight, huh?

HENRY

Well then, will you tell us just exactly what you're doing in the basement at home.

VICTOR

I'll tell the entire world. As a matter of fact I stayed after class tonight Professor Waldman to ask you to join me this evening in the basement of our place to watch the completion of my work.

HENRY

Well how about me?

VICTOR

I don't think I dare invite more than one Henry. And the professor's more interested in this type of procedure than you are.

PROFESSOR

I shall be delighted Victor.

HENRY

Just the best friend who never knows what's going on in his own home, that's all.

VICTOR

It's not that, Henry. But I thought you'd entertain Elizabeth for me, while the professor and I were at work.

HENRY

Entertaining Elizabeth will be a delightful favor, old boy. You know, I think you trust me too much with her. Have you ever met Victor's fiancé?, professor Waldman? She's one of the most charming...

ANNOUNCERYes, Elizabeth was one of the most charming, beautiful women Victor had ever known, he had been in love with her from childhood. But even his love for Elizabeth couldn't dim his passionate zeal for the work he was doing. It was eight o'clock that evening. Henry, Elizabeth and Victor were seated in the parlor, Elizabeth was saying...

ELIZABETH

I'll be so glad, Victor darling, when all this is over. If you only knew how tired you look.

VICTOR

The minute my work is done, successfully or unsuccessfully, I promise you Elizabeth - we'll be married and off to Switzerland before Henry has time to lock up this place.

HENRY

But first we find out about the secret in the basement.

ELIZABETH

Henry's being eaten up by curiosity.

VICTOR

Well, you'll both know soon. I wonder where professor Waldman is. He's late.

ELIZABETH

He'll be here soon, Victor. Stop pacing the floor sweetheart.

VICTOR

I think I'll start my work downstairs. Send the professor down when he arrives, will you darling?

ELIZABETH

We'll come down ourselves and take a look around, or will I turn into a pillar of salt for peeking?

VICTOR

Nobody ever turned into a pillar of salt for peeking Elizabeth, it was for looking back.

HENRY

Oh, nothing like a good practical working knowledge of the bible for scientific experiments... starts the night off right...

VICTORYes, I thought jokingly of that paragraph from the bible then, "and she was turned into a pillar of salt" . But what about a man who looks back? There is no ready reference for him, or for me. I went downstairs to my laboratory at a little past eight... opened the door and started to tinker around to pass the time more quickly . My every sense was alive... taught... waiting... of the sense of what was to come.

Sound FX: Knocking at the door

ANNOUNCER

Victor heard a knock on the side door which led him from his laboratory directly to the forest which bordered Manchester. Victor looked out and...

PROFESSOR

Good evening Victor.

VICTOR

Oh, did Elizabeth tell you to come down this way professor?

PROFESSOR

No, I found the entrance to your laboratory quite by myself.Sound FX: Door closes

VICTOR

May I help you with your coat sir?

PROFESSOR

No, no no.. you proceed with your work, nothing like trivialities to annoy a scientist at work.... Ah... there we are.

VICTOR

Follow me, professor in the back room and you'll see for yourself what this is all about.

PROFESSOR

Well I feel that I'm in for a most exhilarating evening, I wish I had more students fashioned in your mold Victor.

VICTOR

Well professor, here is my...

PROFESSOR

Why... what's this? A full sized replica of a man.

Gasps

VICTOR

Yes. Only he isn't full sized. He's fashioned on a grander scale. I should say this creature, standing up, would be approximately 8 feet 2 inches tall.

PROFESSOR

Well, you should have been an artist Victor, he's a perfect reproduction. What did you make him out of? Wood? Clay?

VICTOR

Animal flesh.

PROFESSOR

Flesh?

VICTOR

Feel him.

PROFESSOR

Oh, he feels like the body of a dead man.

VICTOR

Or the body of a man who hasn't as yet been brought to life. This body is complete in every detail. Heart... lungs... teeth... even the fine nervous system.

PROFESSOR

Interesting , yes, interesting. How about the brain cells...

VICTOR

Yes, adult brain cells. I think he's quite handsome, don't you.

PROFESSOR

Well, each man to his own taste. He's the best reproduction of a man I've ever seen, but actually - his face is hideous. As a plastic surgeon, my dear Victor, I can't give you much credit. Well, what do you intend to do with this hulk?

Sound FX: Test tube with liquid picked up

VICTOR

You see this fluid here in this test tube?

PROFESSOR

Yes.

VICTOR

I fill the hypodermic needle with it.Sound FX: Slurping sound

VICTOR

And now... now I'm going to inject the full eight ounces into the vein... Directly above his heart.

PROFESSOR

But why?

VICTOR

Why? Watch! (pause) You see professor, quite by accident I stumbled on the secret of life. I've been bringing small one celled creatures to life for quite some time.

PROFESSOR

The secret of life?

VICTOR

Within 30 seconds after this injection this creature will live.

PROFESSOR

You're trying to play God, Victor - it's heresy!

VICTOR

It's science. I'm making a new race by far finer than the present one... larger in structure... stronger... heavier... healthier. A race able to live on nuts and berries... with a greater capacity for feeling...

PROFESSOR

Victor... for the love of heaven don't go through with this experiment, no man living has the right to tamper with the secret of life. You've created a monster on that floor... You have no idea what will happen if you go through with this.

VICTOR

Watch professor... the injection.

PROFESSOR

I only hope and pray this is a failure.

VICTOR

It can't be. (long pause)

His eyes moved.Sound FX: Heavy breathing

VICTOR

Watch him professor... He's like a baby... first realizing life... his hands touch the floor... his eyes are trying to focus on the world around him...

PROFESSOR

He's hideous...

VICTOR

Yes... he IS hideous, I made the skin too much like parchment I'm afraid.

PROFESSOR

Victor! Get rid of that monster.

MONSTER

Tries to get up off the table.

VICTOR

He's trying to stand up...

PROFESSOR

If that mind which you created is a twisted one... have you any idea what kind of horror you have let loose in England? As a humanitarian I feel it's my Christian duty to do THIS NOW!

VICTOR

Put that knife down professor...

PROFESSOR

No... I can't let... Oooooooo!

MONSTER

Growwwwwwwwwwwwl!

Growls loudly

PROFESSOR

No... he's got me in the clutch of his hands...

MONSTER

Growwwwwwwwwwwwwl!

Growls loudy

PROFESSOR

Command him to stop this Victor...

VICTOR

Stop fighting him professor... he's frightened. He has the same reactions as a child who grabs and won't let loose.

PROFESSOR

Let me go monster! Ooooooh

VICTOR

Stop! Don't go out that door.

PROFESSOR

I beg you Victor, make him put me down!

VICTOR

Put the professor down. Don't go out that door.

ANNOUNCERThe monster left Victor’s laboratory through the side entrance into the forest. Carrying the incredibly mangled body of the professor with him. Victor rushed out of his laboratory after him, but the creature was too fast and he disappeared from view.

ANNOUNCER

Victor returned to his laboratory, and destroyed all evidence of the creature's manufacture. He burned the blueprints from which he had made his body. Then carefully he locked his laboratory and went upstairs to join Henry Claval and Elizabeth. He must have looked wild eyed as he entered the room.

ELIZABETH & HENRY

Laughter of ELIZABETH and HENRY

ELIZABETH

Henry that is most amusing, you tell the best anecdotes in all of England.

HENRY

Oh you flatter me Elizabeth...

ELIZABETH

Oh Victor, you are through sooner than we expected.

VICTOR

Ah...

ELIZABETH

Darling, what's the matter?

HENRY

Didn't the professor show up?

VICTOR

Nothing's the matter... my experiment was... was a failure.

ELIZABETH

Oh...

I am so sorry!

HENRY

But the professor?

VICTOR

He never showed up. Elizabeth?.... Henry... I want to go away.

ELIZABETH

Of course darling we will as soon as Henry can get the house locked up, we will...

VICTOR

I... I don't want to wait. I want to leave at once tonight... please tonight, Elizabeth. We can get married before we cross the channel and then go to Switzerland.

ELIZABETH

But it's almost midnight now darling...

VICTOR

What's the difference?! (calmer) Please Elizabeth, if you love me...

HENRY

But why tonight Victor?

VICTOR

Henry... You have no idea what I've been through. I have to get away at once.

ELIZABETH

Of course darling, if you insist. Anything you want.

VICTORAnd we will be married before daylight. Darling... darling Elizabeth... I know a little minister whom we can awaken...

ANNOUNCERAnd so Elizabeth and Victor were married that evening in a little chapel on the coast. Then the three of them fled to Berne Switzerland. Victor refused to have anything to do with the civilized world. No newspapers, no word of home... Just the peace and quiet of the Swiss mountains. Henry and Elizabeth both tried to learn of the events that occurred in the laboratory that evening. But Victor never broke his silence on that subject. After the first tries they refrained from asking me about it again. It was in the middle of the fourth month of their visit when Henry and Victor were sitting on the terrace of the little house in the mountains...

Sound FX: birds chirping

ANNOUNCER

Elizabeth was out picking berries.. When Henry suddenly …

HENRY

Victor... I'm your closest friend, I tried to keep silent about it... Well Victor, the day after we left England I bought a newspaper…

VICTOR

Did you Henry?

HENRY

Yes, I saw this clipping on the front page. I couldn't very well miss it.

VICTOR

What clipping?

HENRY

This one. The horribly mangled remains of professor Waldman was found on Beckman hill, the identity of the unknown murderer is being sought by Scotland Yard.

VICTOR

Poor professor Waldman. I had no idea.

HENRY

Hadn't you?

VICTOR

No. What are you trying to say to me Henry?

HENRYYour leaving England so suddenly that very night. Your fear of being discovered. The secret experiment. Well, it all seems to add up to some kind of strange connection with this clipping. Now if you're in trouble Victor, you can depend on me, I'll stay by your side...

VICTOR

I'm not in trouble. I'm just tired... terribly tired.

HENRY

And you know nothing of the professor?

VICTOR

Absolutely nothing.

HENRY

He didn't come to our chateau that evening?

VICTOR

I told you he didn't then... stop questioning me!

ELIZABETH

Victor! VICTOR!!

VICTOR

We're out here Elizabeth.

ELIZABETH

Oh, I just had a horrible experience! Oh darling, I'm so glad to see you.

VICTOR

You look pale Elizabeth, sit down right here next to me.

HENRY

What happened Elizabeth?

ELIZABETH

Well I was walking in the woods not far from here. Then I looked up and saw ... well I saw a man... sort of a man standing over me...

HENRY

Well, men aren't so bad... that is if you happen to know the right ones... and you do.

ELIZABETH

I'm not joshing Henry... he wasn't exactly a man. He was twice the height of anyone I've ever seen and his skin looked like dried parchment. ... it's incredible but I think I've seen a monster.

VICTOR

Monster?

ELIZABETH

Yes, I ran away. He didn't follow me he just stared at me... watching me... you do believe me don't you?

VICTOR

A monster stared at you?

ELIZABETH

Look... look.. Henry... Victor... Through the trees right out there... LOOK! There he is AGAIN!Sound FX: Ocean waves and bell

ANNOUNCERYes, the monster stood there - silhouetted against the trees. The monster which Victor had created, standing like an evil blob of flesh and bone. He moved in the darkening twilight... and then suddenly - phantomlike - disappeared.

ANNOUNCERBeth watched as Victor darted from the Piazza after the disappearing creature in the back woods. As Victor drew near to the heavily wooded section, there were giant footprints in the soft mud about him. The sun was sinking in the west, and the last orange pin points of light needled Victor’s flesh until every sense within him was tingling with the expectations of seeing the living horror. Then Victor realized he was unarmed. Every crooked tree, each twisted branch which obstructed my path appeared to be his form.

Sound FX: Walking through brush

ANNOUNCER

Victor heard the crackling of a branch and the moving of a form on the velvet moss.

MONSTER

I thought you'd come creator.

VICTOR

You...

MONSTER

Are you frightened... creator?

VICTOR

You dare talk to me?

MONSTER

Please don't turn away from me... please.

VICTOR

Let me go.

MONSTER

I mean no harm to you.. listen to me, Victor Frankenstein. You must listen to me. You created me... You owe me that much.

VICTOR

I owe you nothing murderer.

MONSTER

Why am I a murderer? Because you created a form so horrible... a face so distorted... that no man can look upon me and call me friend? I'm an outcast, but you can save me.

VICTOR

Let me go.

MONSTER

Not until you hear my story. Sit down, creator.

VICTOR

My arm!

Let me go!

MONSTERI wondered through the streets of London... That first day... Children screamed in the streets. People flocked together, trying to kill me... and I was lonely and hungry.

VICTOR

How did you follow me here?

MONSTERNot so long ago I returned to my birthplace... the laboratory. I broke in and discovered your identity. First I fled to Scotland, and lived outside of a cottage. That's how I learned how to speak. An old blind man was teaching a young French girl to speak English. I listened to the lessons... from the open windows...

VICTOR

Now what do you expect of me?

MONSTER

A companion... a woman of the same species with my defects.. one who will be my friend.. This... This being... you must create.

VICTOR

No!

I will not do it!

MONSTER

You must! Every man's entitled to a wife.

VICTOR

No!

MONSTER

You must! If you create her for me, I'll take her with me into the far wastes and no one will see either of us again... ever.

VICTOR

How will you live?

MONSTER

On fruits and berries. We'll manage together... please.. You can not deny me this.

VICTOR

A mate… a monster's mate?

MONSTER

You will? You will! I swear I'll never harm another human... never, creator.. if you'll only grant me just one companion.

VICTOR

And if I refuse?

MONSTER

If you refuse.. even a brain that you have made, creator.. might become twisted and distorted…

ANNOUNCERAnd so that night in the forest, Victor made a devil's bargain. He bargained to create a monster's mate. Perhaps another murderer. How could he know? The monster swore to live in the forest and wait a year or two years if necessary, and upon completion of Victor’s work he would take his companion away. But if he broke his promise, the monster swore revenge. And so Victor started his work. Victor searched Paris for the necessary equipment, built a shack in the woods about a mile away from our challis. Three months I worked... three solid months... shaping her who was to be his mate.

ANNOUNCER

And then one night, it was windy outside, Victor thought the wind had blown the door open when...Sound FX: Door flying open

HENRY

Victor! Victor, I'm sorry I had to disturb you.

VICTOR

Is it Elizabeth?

HENRY

No, not Elizabeth, she's fine and sends her love... it's the townspeople. Your activities have stirred up a lot of curiosity.

VICTOR

Oh, the fools!

HENRYWell, I can't blame them, especially after the rumors which have been going around.. ..rumors that... Victor, you of the monster in these forests. You've known of him all along! People have seen him and connect him with you. Mothers in the village are frightened for their children.

VICTOR

I know nothing.

HENRY

Look... I'm only trying to help you..

VICTOR

I know nothing I tell you!

HENRY

But the men have banded together, they're going to make a raid on you here, to burn your laboratory down and to find the monster who lives in these woods.

VICTOR

They can not, they must not!

HENRY

Oh, what devil's work are you carrying on man.. I'm trying to help you. Oh Victor, will you please let your friends be your friends.

VICTOR

Henry will you go back to Elizabeth and leave me alone.

HENRY

Elizabeth is safe at home, you're in danger and I won't leave your side this night my friend.Sound FX: Wind

VICTOR

Then be prepared...

HENRY

Prepared for what?

VICTOR

You've guessed many of the reasons for my secrecy Henry.

HENRY

Then... there is a monster.

VICTOR

At school I stumbled on the secret of life. I was trying to create a superior race. I was a fool and I created him instead.

HENRY

Then he does live.

VICTOR

Yes he lives.

HENRY

Professor Waldman. What happened to professor Waldman?

VICTORThe night I created the monster, Waldman became frightened. He screamed.. attempted to kill the creature.. The creature, like a child, warded him off, and... and then tore him to pieces in front of me. I couldn't stop him. The monster had killed before it had really begun to live.

HENRY

Then what?

VICTOR

The monster left the basement through the side entrance, carrying the professor's corpse. I had no choice. I had to leave the country.

HENRY

Then what are you doing with that creature now?

VICTOR

Fulfilling a promise. Follow me into my cabin and I'll show you. How soon do you think the townsfolk will be here.

HENRY

Oh, within two hours or so. They are meeting at the town square.

VICTOR

Come in.Sound FX: Door closes

HENRY

What?...

A woman.

VICTORYes, a woman. The monster's mate. His friend. I promised him a friend, and in return he promises to hide himself forever from the world.

HENRY

A devil's bargain Victor.

VICTOR

A bargain I must keep for all our sakes.

HENRY

But the monster proved himself a murderer. Why in London, after the death of professor Waldman.

VICTOR

I made him a promise.

HENRY

But how do you know the mate won't be even more vicious than he? You'll let loose an avalanche of hatred. Oh... destroy her before you bring her to life.

VICTOR

Yes... An avalanche of hatred.

HENRY

Look, you've no time to waste... set fire to this cabin quickly Victor, set fire to the cabin and come away... but man alive you cannot go through with this thing...

VICTOR

But the promise.

HENRY

It's a promise to a fiend. He will be your death and ours Victor. Oh hurry man... hurry if you've any love for Elizabeth.

VICTOR

I've been insane with grief and fear for Elizabeth and you. Go back to Elizabeth Henry, at once and wait for me.

HENRY

And you?

VICTOR

I'll... I'll set fire to the cabin as soon as I destroy my books. I... I'll join you later.

HENRY

Well hurry friend. We'll meet you home as soon as you can make it.

ANNOUNCER

For one full hour Victor worked feverishly, he soaked the shack in oil, then taking a taper from the vase he lit the fire. The fire started quickly.

Sound FX: Fire

ANNOUNCERVictor placed his books in the very center of the room and then opened the door of the shack. The experiment was at an end. And Victor felt free. The monster's mate would never live. Victor walked out and then I saw him. His face contorted with rage.

MONSTER

(A long scream of anger) My wife... my only chance to have a friend. Arrrrrg. My only chance...

ANNOUNCERVictor knew what was in the monster’s mind as he raced through the forest. The blazing shack was a beacon of light and Victor watched his huge misshapen form far outdistanced him. He was faster than Victor, taller than Victor, and covered more territory. Racing, running blindly through the forest Victor reached his home. The door was flung open.. Henry mutilated and torn stumbled blindly toward Victor.

HENRY

(Whimpering)

Vic... tor... the... the monster...

VICTOR

Henry... Henry.. what...

HENRY

I tried Victor... I tried...

VICTOR

Henry... you...

HENRY

Elizabeth... Elizabeth.. alone... with...

VICTOR

Elizabeth?

HENRY

Upstairs...

VICTOR

ELIZABETH!!

Elizabeth, I'm coming darling... I'm coming! I'm coming upstairs...

ELIZABETH

HENRY!!! VICTOR!! Help me... somebody help me!! Help MEEEEEEE

VICTORI'm coming darling, I'm coming... if you kill her I'll... (long pause) ELIZABETH!!! (shock and horror... then tenderly) Elizabeth. Elizabeth, oh my darling. (anguish) my darling. Oh Elizabeth no. No... Both you and Henry. Both dead.

MONSTER

You too are alone, creator.

VICTOR Yes. Both of them were dead. All my dear ones gone from me now. And I'm alone. The wind howling outside my window is my only companion. All else is quiet as I sit by my window writing this document. I am dying of loneliness and fear.

Sound FX: Wind howling

VICTORShunned by the world, hated by everyone, I know I am waiting for the monster's return. And he having eluded the world will return when I've suffered my full share of misery as he has suffered his.

ANNOUNCER

From the time worn pages of the past we have brought you this story: Frankenstein.

THE END