It’s alive! The ‘true face’ of Frankenstein’s monster
A LUMBERING, rough-hewn figure with a bolt through his neck – that was the iconic Frankenstein’s monster as first portrayed by Boris Karloff in 1931.
But now, in the 90th anniversary year of the classic film’s US release, there’s a far more authentic vision of the creature first imagined by author Mary Shelley – without a bolt in sight.
The exhibit to go on show at the first museum dedicated to Frankenstein is closely based on Shelley’s 1818 description: ‘His yellow skin scarcely covered the work of muscles and arteries beneath, his hair was of a lustrous black, and flowing...’
Millennium FX have built an 8ft animatronic figure that will greet visitors at the House of Frankenstein, which opens in
Bath on June 17. Co-founder Jonathan Willis said: ‘Karloff was the classic, of course, 90 years ago this year, and Christopher Lee and Robert de Niro have terrified audiences with their own take on it, but they portrayed a clunky, disfigured amalgamation of corpses, whereas Shelley saw it more as a triumph of science with body parts selected for their beauty.’
WE HAVE all got used to face masks, hand sanitising and social distancing — and life on board will be little different.
Cruise lines have invested in onboard Covid testing labs and new air ventilation systems, while health and safety protocols have been overhauled. Ships will be sailing with reduced capacity to make social distancing easier.
So far, only Saga Cruises, American Queen Steamboat and Victory Cruise have ruled that passengers must be fully vaccinated before embarkation.
Norwegian Cruise Lines, Regent Seven Seas and Swan Hellenic have stipulated crew must be vaccinated.
Crystal Cruises will also require vaccinations ‘once they are widely available’ while Royal Caribbean says it is ‘committed to requiring crew to have the vaccine’. n BOARDING: Expect extra queuing for testing and electronic form-filling. Results of tests take 10-15 minutes if negative and 30-40 minutes if positive. n IN YOUR CABIN: There will be a digitalfirst approach, including daily newsletters and online restaurant, spa, tours and entertainment bookings. n MEALS: Forget buffets. Waiter service will be the norm. Expect to sit in your ‘bubble’ (sizes depending on cruise line) and there could be two sittings. n EVENING ENTERTAINMENT: Nightly shows will have more performances to allow for comfortable social distancing. n ONBOARD ACTIVITIES: Tighter availability owing to reduced group sizes for fitness classes, swimming, craft sessions, games and children’s clubs. Spas will accommodate fewer guests and some spas may request that face masks are worn by people during treatments. n TOURS ASHORE: Excursions are likely to be in smaller groups, again in your bubble. As well as being made up of friends and family on board, they might also be arranged by cabin deck. Temperature tests before and after tours.