Alois Dettlaff, Owner of Thomas Edison’s FRANKENSTEIN, Dies
by Andre Soares
Film archivist Alois F. Dettlaff, 84, the man responsible for preserving the only surviving print of Thomas Edison’s 1910 film adaptation of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, was found dead in the bathroom of his home in Cudahy, Wisconsin, on July 26.
According to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Dettlaff’s body was badly decomposed; his daughter and son-in-law lived across the street from him, but they had not seen him in more than a month. Dettlaff, who was obsessively protective of his copy of Frankenstein, was described by his son-in-law as bitter and reclusive.
The 15-minute Frankenstein, produced by Edison’s company and directed by J. Searle Dawley, had in the chief roles Mary Fuller (as Elizabeth), Augustus Phillips (as Dr. Frankenstein), and Charles Ogle (as the Monster).
The film was thought lost until the mid-1970s, when Dettlaff announced he owned a copy. The discovery didn’t lead to many screenings, for Dettlaff feared that the title — already in the public domain — was going to be bootlegged.
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Note: All comments are moderated. Different views and opinions are welcome, but abusive/bigoted/flaming comments will NOT be approved. Also, please be aware that the Alternative Film Guide has NO contact information for the talent mentioned in this blog or any information pertaining to or access to distributors'/producers' film prints.
While it is indeed a tragedy for the passing of a noted film collector like Mr. Alois Felix Dettlaff, it should be noted that anyone desiring to obtain a copy of Edison’s 1910 version of Frankenstein will be unpleasantly disappointed in the taking of their money, and no DVD to be seen. I myself had ordered a copy, and after 5 months had discovered that my check had been cashed- but no DVD to be seen.