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Thanks to some after-dark digging in the Yahoo! Directory, we learned that both of Dr. Frankenstein's creations, the monster and his significant other, are actually nameless. In the original novel by Mary Shelley and the horror flick by James Whale, Dr. Frankenstein creates a "man" from bits and pieces of corpses. Though his creation is commonly called "the monster" or "Frankenstein's monster" by frightened villagers, the good doctor never gives the poor fellow a proper name (some dad, huh?). Likewise, in the movie sequel, the monster's mate is never named. The film's title, The Bride of Frankenstein is misleading -- the doctor's bride is a normal, human woman named Elizabeth. The bride created in the movie is intended for the monster. Even the characters in the movie fall prey to confusion. Dr. Pretorious, who co-creates the female monster, famously introduces her as "The Bride of Frankenstein!" In the film's opening and closing credits, the female monster with the lightning bolt hair is simply listed as "the Monster's Mate." British-born actress Elsa Lanchester played this role, although she wasn't credited in the film. She also played author Mary Shelley in the film's
prologue and was credited onscreen for this vignette instead.
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