Before Christopher Lee starred inStar Wars,Lord of the Rings, and Tim Burton’s movies, he was a British horror movie star. In 1957, Lee got his big break by starring inThe Curse of Frankenstein, one of Hammer Film’s productions. A year later, he starred as Count Dracula in theHammer Film’sDraculamovies, based on Bram Stoker’s 1897 epistolary novel, buthis role inDraculawas not the first time he played an iconic monster.
The Curse of Frankenstein,the first movie in Hammer Film’sFrankensteinfranchise, is loosely based on Mary Shelley’s 1818 novel. The movie follows a scientist who is awaiting execution for his maid’s murder, ashe tells the story of the events that followed after creating a monster.The Curse of Frankensteinhelped Lee break into the world of horror with Hammer Film Productions and inspired other versions ofFrankenstein,such asGuillermo del Toro’sFrankensteinstoryandLisa Frankensteinwith the original characters.
Christopher Lee Played Frankenstein’s Monster Before His First Dracula Role
The Curse of Frankenstein Was Lee’s First Horror Movie
Lee starred as Frankenstein’s Monster inThe Curse of Frankenstein, alongside Peter Cushing, who played Baron Victor Frankenstein. InThe Curse of Frankenstein,Frankenstein’s Monster had brain damage, which caused him to act violentlyby killing an old blind man and Frankenstein’s maid Justine (Valerie Gaunt). Unlike any otherFrankensteinadaptation, including James Whale’s 1931 classic, Lee’s Frankenstein’s Monster was unsympathetic and much scarier than usual depictions of the creature.
This Horror Movie Turned Christopher Lee’s Dracula Into A James Bond Villain (1 Year Before His Actual 007 Film)
Christopher Lee’s final appearance as Hammer Horror’s Dracula turned The Count into a James Bond villain, predicting Lee’s eventual 007 role.
The Curse of FrankensteinwasLee’s first role with Hammer Film Productions and the company’s first horror movie filmed in color. The 1957 adaptationwas also Lee and Peter Cushing’s first horror movie together before starring in theDraculafranchise, which featured Lee in the titular role and Cushing playing Doctor Van Helsing. After starring in one ofHammer’sbestDraculamovies, Lee and Cushing became an iconic horror duo.
Lee and Cushing starred in a total of 24 movies together, includingThe Curse of Frankensteinand Hammer Film’sDraculamovies.
In the US,The Curse of Frankensteinwas a commercial success, butBritish critics deemed the movie too graphic. The movie was also a huge success for Lee, as his role as Frankenstein’s Monster garnered attentionfrom the audience and critics, and impressed Hammer Film. As a result, Lee’s work onDraculabegan his long collaboration with Hammer, one that produced many successful films after his initial roles.
Why Christopher Lee Was Cast As Frankenstein’s Monster & Dracula
Christopher Lee Was Cast As Count Dracula Right After The Release Of The Curse of Frankenstein
Lee’s casting as Frankenstein’s Monster inThe Curse of Frankensteinwas due to his height.As Lee was six foot five, Hammer felt he could perfectly portray Frankenstein’s Monster as intimidating, given that the monster’s appearance was meant to scare other characters. Since Hammer Film Productions intended to work with Lee afterThe Curse of Frankenstein,no one else was considered for the lead role inDracula.According to the movie’s producer, Anthony Hind,“It never occurred to any of us to use anyone but Chris Lee.”
While Lee’s performance as Frankenstein’s Monster introduced him as a horror actor, his role inDraculapropelled him to fame.
WhileLee’s performance as Frankenstein’s Monsterintroduced him to the horror genre, his role inDraculapropelled him to fame.Draculawas a commercial success that received many accolades from critics, leading to seven sequels in the franchise. Following the release ofThe Curse of Frankenstein, the movie was hailed as the movie that resurrected the horror genre, partially thanks to Christopher Lee’s performance but mainly due to the movie being filmed in color and its gory effects.
