Women in Horror Recognition Month ~ Elsa Lanchester
February is Women in Horror Recognition Month and through this month I wanted to share some great women in horror that prove not all women are the victims and horror with no women is really no genre at all!
She played one of the most iconic characters in the horror industry and the beauty of this character is she doesn't even appear until almost the end of the film. Even though the character never spoke only letting out several high pitched screams her movements on screen conveyed more than words from a script could. If you fast forward to now her image is almost everywhere. She is still a top Halloween costume and has been cosplayed at cons with great new twists added to her. Now with the insurage of the horror genre into mainstream a whole new generation is getting to know this timeless character.....The Bride of Frankenstein.
The film debuted in 1935, The Bride of Frankenstein was the ultimate tale of a created love gone wrong. The demand of a mate for Dr. Frankenstein's monster was a great premise for the sequel to the first film, Frankenstein. But, the doctor and his monster soon find out that even when you create a mate it doesn't mean she will love you. Even though their love never formed it was from the movement she was brought to life with her electrified hair, sheet dress and bandaged arms that the costume became just as well known as the image of the actress that played her Elsa Lanchester.
Elsa was born in London on October 28, 1902, the beginning of her career involved theatre and cabaret and small roles in films. When she met and married her husband actor Charles Laughton it was their relocating to Hollywood that help define her place in the horror genre. After The Bride of Frankenstein her career continued to grow even earning her two Oscar nominations (Come to the Stable & Witness for the Prosecution). Her additional films included Disney movies such as Mary Poppins, Blackbeard's Ghost, as well as television series and shows. She even returned to the horror genre in Willard and Murder by Death. In 1983 she released her autobiography entitled Elsa Lanchester Herself. Even though Elsa passed away on December 26, 1986, her contribution to the world of horror was a great one and her image continues to live on.
The film debuted in 1935, The Bride of Frankenstein was the ultimate tale of a created love gone wrong. The demand of a mate for Dr. Frankenstein's monster was a great premise for the sequel to the first film, Frankenstein. But, the doctor and his monster soon find out that even when you create a mate it doesn't mean she will love you. Even though their love never formed it was from the movement she was brought to life with her electrified hair, sheet dress and bandaged arms that the costume became just as well known as the image of the actress that played her Elsa Lanchester.
