Mad, Bad and Dangerous?: The Scientist and the Cinema

by Christopher Frayling

From Victor Frankenstein to Dr. Moreau to Doc Brown in Back to the Future , the scientist has been a puzzling, fascinating, and threatening presence in popular culture. From films we have learned that scientists are either evil maniacal geniuses or bumbling saviors of society. Mad, Bad and Dangerous? puts this dichotomy to the test, offering a wholly engaging yet not uncritical history of the cinematic portrayal of scientists.

Christopher Frayling traces the genealogy of the scientist in film, showing how the scientist has often embodied the predominant anxieties of a particular historical moment. The fear of nuclear holocaust in the 1950s gave rise to a rash of radioactive-mutant horror movies, while the possible dangers of cloning and biotechnology in the 1990s manifested themselves in Jurassic Park. During these eras, the scientist's actions have been viewed through a lens of fascination and fear. In the past few decades, with increased public awareness of environmental issues and of the impact of technology on nature, the scientist has been transformed once again—into a villainous agent of money-hungry corporate powers. Mad, Bad and Dangerous? also examines biographical depictions of actual scientists, illuminating how they are often portrayed as social misfits willing to sacrifice everything to the interests of science.

Drawing on such classic and familiar films as Frankenstein , Metropolis , and The Wizard of Oz , Frayling brings social and film history together to paint a much larger picture of the evolving value of science and technology to society. A fascinating study of American culture and film, Mad, Bad and Dangerous? resurrects the scientists of late night movies and drive-in theaters and gives them new life as cultural talismans.

Genres: Science, Nonfiction, Film

240 pages, Paperback

First published January 28, 2000

Reviews

[John Albers · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book at the local public library and since I'm a fan of science fiction I decided to read it. And I'm glad I did, this is detailed study of the relationship of how science and scientists are portrayed in the movies, covering such films as Metropolis, Things to Come, Dr. Strangelove, 2001 and the James Bond films. To me the most interesting part of the book is the how Wernher Von Braun was able to go from making V2 rockets in World War II, to becoming a spokesman for the space program for Walt Disney, to being parodied by Peter Sellars in Dr. Strangelove. I saw that there were only 21 reviews of this book which is understandable since it was published in England and is probably difficult to find. I think its worth searching for.

[Nicholas Driscoll · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book as part of a project I am working on--I want to write about how the West and Japan treat scientists in science fiction cinema, and this book treats the Western version with some detail. I really found it fascinating digging into the evolving scientific stereotypes, analyzing various examples of mad scientists and their effects, looking at various studies, and examining waves of films like the 1930s-40s scientist biopics, the "boffin" scientist films from England, and the giant monster films from the 50s. Lots of great insights, even if I think Frayling gets long-winded at times and has some grossly overlong paragraphs.

[Frith · Rating 4 out of 5]

When it comes to the image of the scientist, the modern geek or even the anti-intellectual "blessings" of Hollywood, there is good reason to go to the movies instead of researching actual scientists. For as it turns out, entertainment is not just a matter of pretty images, but the creation of actual reality as well. From the image of the scientist in the collective memory to the forms of technology to-be. An interesting read for scientists in particular, even those who haven't gone quite mad yet.

[Daniel · Rating 3 out of 5]

A tad on the dry side but an otherwise quite interesting examination of how science and scientists have been portrayed in the movies from "mad scientists," to biopics, to the "boffins" of British post-war films, and the corporate/government scientists of modern era films. Definitely worth a look if you're interested in film studies or how science is portrayed in pop culture.

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

This can be a bit heavy going in places, but it does provide a very comprehensive history of how scientists have been portrayed in the cinema over the years.

If you have any interest in the way that popular culture and scientific progress influence each other, then this is well worth a look.