<h2><strong>Frankenstein Created Woman (1967) | Hammer Horror &amp; Peter Cushing Deep Dive</strong></h2><p>Welcome to another atmospheric installment of the <strong>General Witchfinders</strong> podcast. In this episode, we are throwing chronology to the wind and jumping straight into the heart of the <strong>Hammer Films</strong> oeuvre. Having previously explored the Baron’s first experiment in <em>The Curse of Frankenstein</em> and his final bow in <em>Frankenstein and the Monster From Hell</em>, we now settle into the middle of the franchise with the 1967 cult classic: <strong>Frankenstein Created Woman</strong>.</p><p>Directed by the undisputed master of gothic cinema, <strong>Terence Fisher</strong>, and featuring a career-defining performance by <strong>Peter Cushing</strong>, this film stands as one of the most intellectually provocative entries in the <strong>Hammer Horror</strong> canon. Interestingly, this is famously cited as one of <strong>Martin Scorsese’s</strong> favorite films, proving that the brilliance of the Baron transcends the "B-movie" label.</p><h3><strong>The Soul of Science: Baron Victor Frankenstein</strong></h3><p>In <strong>Frankenstein Created Woman</strong>, <strong>Peter Cushing</strong> returns as <strong>Baron Victor Frankenstein</strong>. Unlike earlier iterations where the focus was on the stitching of limbs and the reanimation of dead tissue, the screenplay by Anthony Hinds (writing as John Elder) takes a metaphysical turn. Here, the Baron is obsessed with the soul.</p><p>The plot follows the wrongful execution of Hans Werner (<strong>Robert Morris</strong>), the lover of the physically scarred Christina Kleve (<strong>Susan Denberg</strong>). After Christina takes her own life in grief, the Baron captures Hans’s soul and traps it within Christina’s surgically repaired body. This results in a "soul-swapping" revenge thriller that remains unique within the <strong>Frankenstein</strong> series. Cushing’s performance is refined, showing a Baron who is less of a graverobber and more of a cold, calculated philosopher of the macabre.</p><p><br></p><h3><strong>The Legend of Susan Denberg and Nikki van der Zyl</strong></h3><p>The casting of <strong>Susan Denberg</strong> is central to the film's legacy. A German-Austrian model and 1966 Playboy Miss August Playmate, Denberg was already known to sci-fi fans for her appearance in the <em>Star Trek</em> episode "Mudd’s Women." While her visual presence is striking, the production decided her Austrian accent was too strong for the character.</p><p>Enter the legendary <strong>Nikki van der Zyl</strong>. If you have watched a James Bond film, you have likely heard her voice. She famously dubbed Honey Ryder in <em>Dr. No</em> and provided dialogue for countless Bond girls and even Gert Fröbe in <em>Goldfinger</em>. Her work on <strong>Frankenstein Created Woman</strong> adds a layer of polished professional mystery to Christina’s character, bridging the gap between <strong>Hammer Horror</strong> and the 1960s spy-fi aesthetic.</p><p><br></p><h3><strong>The Hammer Character Actor Nexus</strong></h3><p>As we always do at <strong>General Witchfinders</strong>, we track the "mother nexus" of British character actors who populated the halls of <strong>Bray Studios</strong>. This film is a treasure trove for genre enthusiasts:</p><ul><li><strong>Thorley Walters (Dr. Hertz):</strong> A close personal friend of director Terence Fisher, Walters brings a much-needed warmth to the role of the Baron's assistant. Fans will recognize him as a recurring Doctor Watson in various Sherlock Holmes adaptations, including <em>Sherlock Holmes and the Deadly Necklace</em>.</li><li><strong>Duncan Lamont (Werner):</strong> A veteran of the <strong>Hammer</strong> stable, Lamont appeared in the original <em>Quatermass Experiment</em> and returned for the 1967 film version of <em>Quatermass and the Pit</em>. He is also a favorite of ours from <em>The Creeping Flesh</em>.</li><li><strong>Robert Morris (Hans Werner):</strong> Another <em>Quatermass</em> alum who brings a tragic weight to the first half of the film.</li><li><strong>Derek Fowlds (Johann):</strong> Long before he was a household name in <em>Yes Minister</em> and <em>Heartbeat</em>, Fowlds was a RADA scholar cutting his teeth in the world of horror.</li></ul><h3><strong>Production History: From Bray Studios to the Screen</strong></h3><p>The road to <strong>Frankenstein Created Woman</strong> was long. It was originally mooted as a follow-up to <em>The Revenge of Frankenstein</em> in 1958, capitalizing on the popularity of Roger Vadim's <em>And God Created Woman</em>. By the time it went into production at <strong>Bray Studios</strong> in July 1966, it was one of the penultimate productions at that iconic location.</p><p>Support this show <a target="_blank" rel="payment" href="http://supporter.acast.com/general-witchfinders">http://supporter.acast.com/general-witchfinders</a>.</p><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>