Please welcome back returning contributor Derrick Kinnison.

Derrick first joined us last year to express his love for John Carpenter’s The Fog. Even then, it was pretty clear that Derrick had a high level of excitement for this series, as well as the opportunity to express his love for the genre with an audience that could sympathize and relate. Therefore, it was really no surprise when he was one of the first to not only show excitement and anticipation for this year’s series, but was also one of the first to “claim” his character choice this year.

Once again, Derrick takes the opportunity to not only express his continuing love for the genre, but also for a character that he loves and empathizes with. The passion that he shows for his topic can not be overlooked. It’s that same level of passion for this series that makes it a success before it’s even begun. 

How do you do? I, myself, feel that it would be a little unkind to present this story without a word of friendly warning. I am about to unfold this story of Frankenstein’s Monster. A monster of infamy. It is one of the strangest tales ever told. It deals with the two great mysteries ever told: who I am about, and my infatuation with this monster. I think it will thrill you. It may even shock you. So, if any of you feel that you do not want to subject your nerves to such a strain, now is your choice to…. well, I’ve warned you.

            “The Monster was the best friend I ever had.”

These were the words from Boris “The Uncanny” Karloff. This is also a quote that I hold quite dear to myself, for Frankenstein’s Monster has and will always be the friend who has always been there for me, as I can also remember quite well the first time that I had watched this iconic film and the effect that it had upon myself.

For most, especially when I am asked what my favorite film is of all time, my answer to them is actually quite easy. And every time I have told that said person that it is Frankenstein, I am either given a strange look, or a blunt . . . “WHY?” My first initial reaction to them is usually laughter, and then I am answering questions to why it’s my favorite, but never-the-less, no one understands.

Frankenstein’s Monster goes on a much deeper level than being just a favorite film of mine as it is the one picture that I felt most relatable to. Here is a mad scientist, the infamous Dr. Henry Frankenstein, who is arguably the real monster. A man who, in his best interests, defies God and the mysteries of creation. And so, by collectively gaining from the cemetery bodies and appendages, he has mastered the ability to at least build his monster, and finally create life into a body that has never lived.

“That body is not dead. It has never lived. I created it. I made it with my own two hands, from the bodies I took from graves, from the gallows, anywhere! Go and see for yourself.”

This iconic monster, created from a mad scientist’s demented pleasure, seemed to relate how I felt by everyday society and because I did not have the best relationship with my family, Frankenstein’s Monster was perfect for how I felt, as the outsider. The monster that no one understood.

The film in itself is absolutely wonderful and so are the characters, as it is throughout the film that not only do I relate to the monster as itself, but just as Henry Frankenstein struggled with explanation of his creation, is how I struggle everyday with explaining who I am, as the outsider, as most Horror fans struggle with this as much as I do, on an everyday account. We are regarded as freaks, the intolerable, committed to a genre with no hope as to a future in what most would dispute as a genre of art.

But I beg to differ.

It was because of Frankenstein’s monster that I have come to know more about myself and accept that I am just as the Monster felt when he was chained to his chair, as the above picture shows. It also inspires myself to act as he did, to be heard. Breaking loose from his chains was a way in which I broke away from the many insults, and dedicated a portion of my love to this character and hold this genre and this particular monster on high, giving myself the pleasure of knowing just who I am and how I stand.

It is an absolute pleasure when I watch this film over and over—any of the film’s, actually. From Boris Karloff, Bela Lugosi, Lon Chaney Jr., and even Christopher Lee, just to name a few. No matter who played this iconic monster, each one bringing their own unique ability to the screen, all still represented the same story and the feelings I had felt towards this monster.

It is, without a doubt, regarded as one of the most iconic monsters in Hollywood, even so, one of the most iconic films. Being attached to this character has represented to me the very truth of what the monster means to me, as well as what this genre means to me. And even though this film is not the film in which turned me to the Horror genre—that being said, the film responsible for my infatuation of the horror genre is actually another iconic film, being The Exorcist. Being that, at the time I was literally five years old, most of you will know just how terrified I was, but it was because of that ultimate scare, is what gained my interests in this genre and wanted to have that emotion of fear, all over again . . . .  But it was the monster of Frankenstein, that made me who I am today . . .

Over the years, I have collected many things that relate to this infamous monster, from toys, dishware, and films. I keep them in constant view, so that I am reminded just what this iconic character of horror means to me and what it represents to the horror genre itself. The opportunity for me to explain all of this, has been absolutely wonderful, and it is because of Horror and Sons that allows me to do so. And yet again as this is my second year returning to this forum, and I can assure you, this will not be my last. I hope that in a certain way or another, this will give people a chance to know just what kind of a person and fan I am to this infamous horror icon, as well to this genre.

As there are many other iconic figures given to fans throughout the many years of horror. Each and everyone has their own story in which they can claim to being effected by how that film, or character has made them feel and what defines them as a whole. As there are many other icons that also define me, it has been Frankenstein’s monster that’s had the most effect. And so, as I come to a close, I hope that this story of myself and the infamous monster I have claimed has given an insight to the love of monsters and horror I have shared to you all.

And to end this, I will leave you with:

“Here’s to a new world of gods and monsters.”

 

Thank you . . . .