6. Dr. Septimus Pretorius - Bride Of Frankenstein (1935)
We should first point out that the Frankenstein of the first two films in the iconic Universal movie franchise renamed Heinrich Henry Frankenstein, and played by British veteran of the stage Colin Clive is very much the hero of the films, an arrogant, self-absorbed scientist who learns the error of his ways. Clive, a chronic alcoholic, wouldnt survive to make a third Frankenstein movie for Universal. No, if you want a proper mad scientist, look no further than Bride Of Frankensteins Dr. Septimus Pretorius. Like Henry Frankenstein, his former pupil, Pretorius is intent on creating life, and thinks nothing of piggy-backing off Frankensteins research and successes and the notable failure in his career. Pretorius has invested a kind of life into a succession of homunculi, tiny creatures hes dressed up like dolls, but is determined to create a mate for the monster, and pressures Henry into repeating the processes that had caused so much grief and horror, no doubt intending to take the credit for himself. Pretorius is everything that people expect Frankenstein himself to be in the Universal movies amoral to the point of sociopathy, an arrogant, egomaniacal narcissist, he has no interest in human life or advancement, or in the human condition at all. His unrepentant villainy does mean he gets the best lines, however. To a new world of Gods and Monsters! Pretorius would inspire a character occupying the same role of evil mentor in Stuart Gordons 1986 gorefest From Beyond. That films Dr. Edward Pretorius is essentially Dr. Septimus Pretorius on angel dust, and would have qualified for this list in spades were it not for the fact that he cedes the scientific aspect of his life to become a demonic monster in the first act of the film.
Professional writer, punk werewolf and nesting place for starfish. Obsessed with squid, spirals and story. I publish short weird fiction online at desincarne.com, and tweet nonsense under the name Jack The Bodiless. You can follow me all you like, just don't touch my stuff.
