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It's Alive!
AMAZON BESTSELLER For readers of F.Scott Fitzgerald's The Last Tycoon and Budd Schulberg's What Makes Sammy Run. The only thing harder than raising the dead is making a movie about raising the dead. In the summer of 1931, life was good for Junior Laemmle. Though only twenty-three years old, he was the head of all movie production for Universal Pictures, and under his reign, the studio flourished. So much so, he was about to be bestowed with the greatest honor a young executive can receive in a promotion to vice president of the entire company. What’s more, Carl Laemmle, his father and founder of the studio, was returning to California for the first time in years to personally present the honor to his son. Or so Junior thought. When his father arrives, Junior discovers that instead of being grateful for transforming and catapulting the out-of-date studio into the future, his father is obsessed with Junior’s next Frankenstein . Like the year before, Carl is fervently against making another grisly and gothic film, despite Dracula becoming a huge hit―a project which Junior fought for and personally oversaw through production. Also not helping Junior’s cause, though the film is just days away from beginning production, the final choice between Bela Lugosi and Boris Karloff to play the role of the Monster, has yet to be made. It’s Alive! is a thrilling and vibrant portrait of 1930s Hollywood centered around the chaotic and exciting days just before the filming of the beloved cult-classic film, Frankenstein . Woven with hopeful passion, emotional vulnerability, staunch determination, and creative fulfillment, readers will be swept along with breathless cinematic pace through events that will not only change the lives of everyone involved, but Hollywood itself.
232 pages, Hardcover
Published May 17, 2022
103 people are currently reading
9236 people want to read
About the author
Julian David Stone
4 books129 followersJulian David Stone grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area, eventually relocating to Los Angeles to study filmmaking and then enter the entertainment business. Other work besides this book includes screenplays for Disney, Paramount, Sony, and MGM; the full-length play, The Elvis Test; and several short-form documentaries on Frank Sinatra for Warner Bros. He is also the writer and director of the hit cult comedy feature film, Follow the Bitch, which has played to packed houses all around the country and received numerous awards. Recently he began writing books, with his award-winning debut novel, The Strange Birth, Short life, and Sudden Death of Justice Girl, about the world of the 1950s live television, currently being turned into a TV series.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 97 reviews
January 20, 2023
Fascinating story of the lead-up to the first day of filming of Frankenstein.
Really enjoyed this novelization of the events leading up to the filming of Frankenstein. Very well written, it felt like I was there! Any chance of a sequel telling the rest of the story.
Really enjoyed this novelization of the events leading up to the filming of Frankenstein. Very well written, it felt like I was there! Any chance of a sequel telling the rest of the story.
July 30, 2024
OK, a huge disclaimer right up front. The 1931 movie, "Frankenstein." is my favorite motion picture. (If you look up my account on Letterboxd, you'll discover why.) And, as a consequence, I'm also a huge fan of the Universal horror classics of that Golden Age. Ever since I was a child thrilling to the next issue of "Famous Monsters Of Filmland," I've been pretty much insatiable regarding the topic.
So, it should come as absolutely no surprise that I absolutely loved IT'S ALIVE!, a fictional novel based on fact about the three-days leading up to the start of production on "Frankenstein." There were plenty of "enhancements" created about the last-minute "wheeling and dealing" going on to make sure the cameras would roll as scheduled, all giving the Reader a "fly on the wall" perspective of many actual occurrences (if not the actual dialogue exchanges).
Best of all, the writer beautifully captures the personalities of all of the "main players" if what I have read about them is true. I do think that the book perfectly illustrates what is known of the "studio politics" that were so pervasive both on specific lots and across the industry. Every time there was an appearance of a favorite "character" of mine in the story, I experienced something of the same thrill I'd had reading Forrest J. Ackerman's magazine.
The only thing the book did not have (which would have made it "perfect" for me) would have been a section mentioning specific "facts and moments" that were entirely manufactured by the writer. For instance, I've never read anywhere else that Junior Laemmle suffered from "panic attacks." Was that only an invention to heighten the tension, or do I need to further my reading? (So many other documented incidents were included that it did cause me to wonder.)
I had so much fun reading IT'S ALIVE! that I kept anticipating the next reading session, and the book always gave me more than I imagined would be there. On the plus side, it assured me that another viewing of "Frankenstein" is in the very near future.
If anyone from the Netflix Originals film production group is reading this, you really need to look into IT'S ALIVE! You've done such marvelous period shows that you'd be the ideal production company for this ... assuming that the Universal folks wouldn't want to honor their heritage.
So, it should come as absolutely no surprise that I absolutely loved IT'S ALIVE!, a fictional novel based on fact about the three-days leading up to the start of production on "Frankenstein." There were plenty of "enhancements" created about the last-minute "wheeling and dealing" going on to make sure the cameras would roll as scheduled, all giving the Reader a "fly on the wall" perspective of many actual occurrences (if not the actual dialogue exchanges).
Best of all, the writer beautifully captures the personalities of all of the "main players" if what I have read about them is true. I do think that the book perfectly illustrates what is known of the "studio politics" that were so pervasive both on specific lots and across the industry. Every time there was an appearance of a favorite "character" of mine in the story, I experienced something of the same thrill I'd had reading Forrest J. Ackerman's magazine.
The only thing the book did not have (which would have made it "perfect" for me) would have been a section mentioning specific "facts and moments" that were entirely manufactured by the writer. For instance, I've never read anywhere else that Junior Laemmle suffered from "panic attacks." Was that only an invention to heighten the tension, or do I need to further my reading? (So many other documented incidents were included that it did cause me to wonder.)
I had so much fun reading IT'S ALIVE! that I kept anticipating the next reading session, and the book always gave me more than I imagined would be there. On the plus side, it assured me that another viewing of "Frankenstein" is in the very near future.
If anyone from the Netflix Originals film production group is reading this, you really need to look into IT'S ALIVE! You've done such marvelous period shows that you'd be the ideal production company for this ... assuming that the Universal folks wouldn't want to honor their heritage.
February 5, 2022
It’s Alive is a tale of behind-the-scenes shenanigans that ushered into existence one of the greatest movie monsters of all time. Eventually, Universal became inextricably associated with Universal Monsters just as It’s Alive is a call inextricably linked to one of its most famous ones, but back in the day the very fate of the movie hung in the air, batted between the powers that be like a tennis ball at Wimbledon.
Universal studio owner Carl Laemmle and his son Junior Laemmle was firmly in the opposing camps. Junior, the youngblood, believed in the project passionately, his much more conventional dad wanted nothing to do with it. They couldn’t even agree on the casting, yo-yoing between two actors who later came to be (once again inextricably) associated with the monsters they played on screen.
You probably have to be a movie buff to really appreciate all this, but if you are, this book will certainly hold your interest. Its author is a man who’s no stranger to the movie industry and appears to know a thing or two about weaving a compelling narrative about it. The book, as a result, does a great job of bringing a black-and-white movie to life in technicolor. It’s enjoyable to read, well-paced and reasonably succinct. Recommended. Thanks Netgalley.
This and more at https://advancetheplot.weebly.com/
Universal studio owner Carl Laemmle and his son Junior Laemmle was firmly in the opposing camps. Junior, the youngblood, believed in the project passionately, his much more conventional dad wanted nothing to do with it. They couldn’t even agree on the casting, yo-yoing between two actors who later came to be (once again inextricably) associated with the monsters they played on screen.
You probably have to be a movie buff to really appreciate all this, but if you are, this book will certainly hold your interest. Its author is a man who’s no stranger to the movie industry and appears to know a thing or two about weaving a compelling narrative about it. The book, as a result, does a great job of bringing a black-and-white movie to life in technicolor. It’s enjoyable to read, well-paced and reasonably succinct. Recommended. Thanks Netgalley.
This and more at https://advancetheplot.weebly.com/
October 11, 2022
A well-written, hard-to-put down fictionalized narrative of the chaotic casting and re-casting of Boris Karloff as 'The Monster' in Frankenstein, Bela Lugosi's mistake in turning the part down, and Carl Laemmle, Jr.'s fight to save his own self-respect.
If you like horror, film history, or behind-the-scenes drama (understanding, again, that this is fiction), then you'll enjoy 'It's Alive' very much indeed.
If you like horror, film history, or behind-the-scenes drama (understanding, again, that this is fiction), then you'll enjoy 'It's Alive' very much indeed.
October 22, 2022
This was good! My boyfriend picked this up for me on a whim while he was on a trip, and it was fun trying something that never would have found its way onto my radar otherwise! This book was fast paced and put me in the mood to watch old black and white horror movies! You definitely need to pick this one up if you love filmmaking or classic movies.
December 30, 2022
I have no idea how fictionalized this story is; my instinct is to say extremely. However I’m a sucker for the golden age of Hollywood and particularly Universal Horror, so how could I not love this book?
It was disappointing that the one thing I do know about the making of Frankenstein didn’t make it into the book - apparently when Boris Karloff ( who sported a slight lisp) saw his makeup in the mirror, he said to Jack Pierce, “I think that this will be the most spectacular thing ever seen on the silver screen.” (Say with lisp)
It was disappointing that the one thing I do know about the making of Frankenstein didn’t make it into the book - apparently when Boris Karloff ( who sported a slight lisp) saw his makeup in the mirror, he said to Jack Pierce, “I think that this will be the most spectacular thing ever seen on the silver screen.” (Say with lisp)
August 8, 2022
For me reading this book had a similar effect of watching a mediocre made-for-TV movie about Hollywood in the '20s or '30s, it just didn't have the authentic feel. Characters behaved and spoke in a manner completely foreign to the era. Nor was the story any great shakes, despite the fact that the author had a fascinating subject as his starting point. And from the author's credentials, I would have expected this to have been much better-written.
February 24, 2023
Stone writes a rather convincing fictional account of real life people like Universal Pictures head Junior Laemmle, his father Carl, Bela Lugosi, Boris Karloff, and others in the time after the movie Dracula and prior to the filming of Frankenstein in 1931.
The reader is placed right there on the film lot, at the parties, mansions, and after parties if the time.
I really dig all the Universal horror movies and really liked this read.
“The horror of it all”.
The reader is placed right there on the film lot, at the parties, mansions, and after parties if the time.
I really dig all the Universal horror movies and really liked this read.
“The horror of it all”.
January 21, 2023
My rating: 3.5
January 30, 2022
Came across this book on Netgalley (who kindly provided me with a copy). Said to myself about the title: "This is the line from Frankenstein."
This book indeed deals with the creation of the movie, especially how the role of the monster seemed to bounce between Bela Lugosi and Boris Karloff. We know who got it so it reads like sort of a "Columbo" where we find out how it all came about.
Of course this is strictly for movie buffs, especially fans of the old Universal monster pics. Tough to say how much is fiction and how much is based on facts. After a few run-on sentences on page 1 and 2, it developed into a very breezy read about the three protagonists Lugosi, Karloff and producer Carl Laemmle jr.
Enjoyed it very much, my only beef: While so many books (and movies) are far too long nowaways, this one could have benefitted from being a tad more fleshed out, especially at the end. I know the movies and a little bit of the background but would have liked to read how Laemmle dealt with Lugosi after he did not get the role in the end.
Would wholeheartedly recommend this book to movie buffs...
This book indeed deals with the creation of the movie, especially how the role of the monster seemed to bounce between Bela Lugosi and Boris Karloff. We know who got it so it reads like sort of a "Columbo" where we find out how it all came about.
Of course this is strictly for movie buffs, especially fans of the old Universal monster pics. Tough to say how much is fiction and how much is based on facts. After a few run-on sentences on page 1 and 2, it developed into a very breezy read about the three protagonists Lugosi, Karloff and producer Carl Laemmle jr.
Enjoyed it very much, my only beef: While so many books (and movies) are far too long nowaways, this one could have benefitted from being a tad more fleshed out, especially at the end. I know the movies and a little bit of the background but would have liked to read how Laemmle dealt with Lugosi after he did not get the role in the end.
Would wholeheartedly recommend this book to movie buffs...
September 27, 2022
Enjoyable listen of the craziness that happened prior to the filming of one of the greatest horror movies of all time. I am a huge fan of Karloff and even wrote a term paper on his portrayal of the monster in this film, so of course I was on board right from the beginning. Loved the story and loved the narration. Highly recommend.
November 2, 2022
Fictionalized account of the chaotic week prior to the first day of shooting Universal Studios’ Frankenstein in 1931. Based on facts but uses a lot of artistic license, especially the characterizations of Bela Lugosi, Boris Karloff, and Carl Laemmle Jr. The book contains enough to drama to move the story along and more than enough color to avoid being a dry history report, though it sometimes reads like a unsold movie script turned into an abridged novel.
November 16, 2024
Two and a half stars rounded up. I enjoyed this, and parts I really enjoyed. I wish there were a little more to this, as there is rich territory to cover here especially with Boris Karloff and Bela Lugosi. With a little more work this could have been even better, but it was very enjoyable.
August 5, 2022
The time is August 1931; the place, the young and burgeoning Universal Studios where only days remain until the filming of “Frankenstein.” Carl Laemmle Jr., a.k.a. “Junior” is set to produce, but he remains beleaguered by several issues beforehand. Junior has just finished producing the hit “Dracula” starring Bela Lugosi, but his father Carl Sr. remains unconvinced of the genre. Junior is awaiting his father to promote him to VP of Universal but fears his father’s skepticism is preventing him from doing so. Another issue is who will play the Monster? Bela Lugosi, fresh off the role of the vampire count Dracula has and continues to adamantly refuse the part. All of it drives Junior to a panic attack, a scene we witness at the beginning of the book.
“It’s Alive” by Julian David Stone is a non-fictional story told within the framework of fiction and brilliantly accomplished. Stone has taken a small chunk of movie history and brought it to full, thriving life on the page. This piece of history is a fast, page-turning and enthralling accomplishment. Stone sets the scene perfectly and tells the story vividly, also bringing to life two Hollywood legends, Bela Lugosi and Boris Karloff, to play their respective roles in the story. The characterizations are both on target and revealing, but the revelations are subtle and hinted upon.
Boris Karloff is a struggling actor in a pre-Frankenstein 1931, often contemplating returning to his old job as a truck driver and staying there. He feels future success at his fingertips, yet it seemingly never materializes. He is back and forth between small film roles that pay barely enough to cover the bills and is anxiously awaiting his big break. His connection to the upcoming “Frankenstein” is make-up artist, Jack Pierce, and through him, Boris has been mentioned as a possibility. But rumor abounds that Lugosi will play the role after the success of “Dracula.” Boris is hoping that the tide will turn his way this time. He wants to play the Monster and feels it will be the big break he’s been long awaiting.
Bela Lugosi doesn’t approve of being chosen for the role of the Monster. It is not a part for an actor, that of bumbling, mumbling, oaf with no lines. An actor speaks and presents the role. The Monster does not afford him that opportunity. So, he readies himself for his next role in Universal’s “Murders in the Rogue Morgue,” while continuously turning Junior down time and time again. But Junior is not worried about who will play the Monster. The dilemma is whether or not ��Frankenstein” will even be made. His father is dragging his feet giving him the promotion he wants so desperately, and Junior fears he may not be on board enough to consent to “Frankenstein” being made by Universal. Junior’s intention is to bring Universal into the modern age and out of his father’s old-world nostalgia era where Westerns are the big deal and great mourning has followed the death of the silent film age. Now, Talkies are making great strides, but Carl Sr. remains stubbornly unconvinced.
Stone’s non-fiction is accurate, well researched, and expertly told. His fiction grips like any great story. Either way, he brings to life a history that comes alive and is hard to put down. His writing is fresh, vivid, and clear from beginning to end. The reader is easily entertained in a book about entertainment.
Eventually, a face-off occurs between father and son, one where a clearer understanding of each other emerges. Much to Junior’s surprise, his father concedes and green lights “Frankenstein.” Once inside his office, Junior watches the film of Boris Karloff’s screen test and is mesmerized. He has found his lead to play the Monster, and through it all, it remains unknown to both Junior and his father that “Frankenstein” will become will become one of the greatest Horror films of all time, turning Boris Karloff into the star he only dreamed of becoming.
After reading this book, one can only hope that Julian David Stone’s history of Universal Monster films does not end here. There is more to this story, and it will best be told Stone himself.
“It’s Alive” by Julian David Stone is a non-fictional story told within the framework of fiction and brilliantly accomplished. Stone has taken a small chunk of movie history and brought it to full, thriving life on the page. This piece of history is a fast, page-turning and enthralling accomplishment. Stone sets the scene perfectly and tells the story vividly, also bringing to life two Hollywood legends, Bela Lugosi and Boris Karloff, to play their respective roles in the story. The characterizations are both on target and revealing, but the revelations are subtle and hinted upon.
Boris Karloff is a struggling actor in a pre-Frankenstein 1931, often contemplating returning to his old job as a truck driver and staying there. He feels future success at his fingertips, yet it seemingly never materializes. He is back and forth between small film roles that pay barely enough to cover the bills and is anxiously awaiting his big break. His connection to the upcoming “Frankenstein” is make-up artist, Jack Pierce, and through him, Boris has been mentioned as a possibility. But rumor abounds that Lugosi will play the role after the success of “Dracula.” Boris is hoping that the tide will turn his way this time. He wants to play the Monster and feels it will be the big break he’s been long awaiting.
Bela Lugosi doesn’t approve of being chosen for the role of the Monster. It is not a part for an actor, that of bumbling, mumbling, oaf with no lines. An actor speaks and presents the role. The Monster does not afford him that opportunity. So, he readies himself for his next role in Universal’s “Murders in the Rogue Morgue,” while continuously turning Junior down time and time again. But Junior is not worried about who will play the Monster. The dilemma is whether or not ��Frankenstein” will even be made. His father is dragging his feet giving him the promotion he wants so desperately, and Junior fears he may not be on board enough to consent to “Frankenstein” being made by Universal. Junior’s intention is to bring Universal into the modern age and out of his father’s old-world nostalgia era where Westerns are the big deal and great mourning has followed the death of the silent film age. Now, Talkies are making great strides, but Carl Sr. remains stubbornly unconvinced.
Stone’s non-fiction is accurate, well researched, and expertly told. His fiction grips like any great story. Either way, he brings to life a history that comes alive and is hard to put down. His writing is fresh, vivid, and clear from beginning to end. The reader is easily entertained in a book about entertainment.
Eventually, a face-off occurs between father and son, one where a clearer understanding of each other emerges. Much to Junior’s surprise, his father concedes and green lights “Frankenstein.” Once inside his office, Junior watches the film of Boris Karloff’s screen test and is mesmerized. He has found his lead to play the Monster, and through it all, it remains unknown to both Junior and his father that “Frankenstein” will become will become one of the greatest Horror films of all time, turning Boris Karloff into the star he only dreamed of becoming.
After reading this book, one can only hope that Julian David Stone’s history of Universal Monster films does not end here. There is more to this story, and it will best be told Stone himself.
September 9, 2023
I received a copy of this book for review purposes.
I was really expecting to enjoy this book. I mean come on it's centered around the making of the movie Frankenstein. Sadly, it only ended up be a 3 star read for me. For me, the main reason behind this was that Junior irritated me. His whole personality was horrible, if you could call complaining about constantly being second guessed and his girlfriend being needy and not understanding he's busy a personality. His only redeeming quality was his refusal to give up on what he believes in. I guess I just wanted more to do with the movie less of upset irritating guy.
The story did give a fun peek behind the scenes of the making of a movie and all the chaos surrounding it. A story of persistence, reflection (self & otherwise), standing one's ground, and of letting go.
I was really expecting to enjoy this book. I mean come on it's centered around the making of the movie Frankenstein. Sadly, it only ended up be a 3 star read for me. For me, the main reason behind this was that Junior irritated me. His whole personality was horrible, if you could call complaining about constantly being second guessed and his girlfriend being needy and not understanding he's busy a personality. His only redeeming quality was his refusal to give up on what he believes in. I guess I just wanted more to do with the movie less of upset irritating guy.
The story did give a fun peek behind the scenes of the making of a movie and all the chaos surrounding it. A story of persistence, reflection (self & otherwise), standing one's ground, and of letting go.
February 13, 2022
This was one of my most anticipated reads on Netgalley, so I was really excited when they provided me with a free copy (thanks, Netgalley!). It's Alive! didn't disappoint: a fast-talking read charged with the exciting energy of the early years of Hollywood, this book is a must for film and history buffs interested in the era.
The book covers the tumultuous days before Frankenstein started shooting, and even though I knew the outcome, I still found myself on the edge of my seat as the fate of the movie and its leading actor was decided. The author's skills truly shine when describing the details of the movie-making process, and I learned a few new things about early 1930s Hollywood. I loved the descriptions of each location, from the soundstages to Hollywood nightspots to the dazzling villas of top executives. It was also interesting to read about Junior Laemmle's struggles with anxiety, and the way this conflict was resolved in the end added an interesting emotional layer to the story.
While the prose isn't perfect in places (particularly the opening pages), it doesn't detract from the energy of the story, and the author's solid understanding of both the era and the industry makes up for any run-on sentences. Overall, a solid four-star read.
The book covers the tumultuous days before Frankenstein started shooting, and even though I knew the outcome, I still found myself on the edge of my seat as the fate of the movie and its leading actor was decided. The author's skills truly shine when describing the details of the movie-making process, and I learned a few new things about early 1930s Hollywood. I loved the descriptions of each location, from the soundstages to Hollywood nightspots to the dazzling villas of top executives. It was also interesting to read about Junior Laemmle's struggles with anxiety, and the way this conflict was resolved in the end added an interesting emotional layer to the story.
While the prose isn't perfect in places (particularly the opening pages), it doesn't detract from the energy of the story, and the author's solid understanding of both the era and the industry makes up for any run-on sentences. Overall, a solid four-star read.
September 6, 2022
In 1931 Junior Laemmle is coming down on his successful Dracula movie with Bela Lugosi and has his eyes trained on making a new monster movie, Frankenstein. The only problem is that his dad, Carl Laemmle Sr., is putting the brakes on everything Junior wants to do to launch Universal Studios into the future.
Production of Frankenstein was having a lot of hiccups, first Bela Lugosi is on the job, then he's not, then he wants back. Next is Boris Karloff, a nobody, who is desperate to become the no-lined monster.
This book is told in 3 parts, Junior, Bela, and Boris, and how the pre-production of Frankenstein took its toll on everybody.
I really enjoyed this book, it was neat looking up all the actors and the films they created! The only character I had heard of was Bela Lugosi, and that was only due to a Ghost Adventures episode!
This book was well researched and it didn't feel like you were reading a research paper! Despite how short the book was, you became engrossed in these characters.
Production of Frankenstein was having a lot of hiccups, first Bela Lugosi is on the job, then he's not, then he wants back. Next is Boris Karloff, a nobody, who is desperate to become the no-lined monster.
This book is told in 3 parts, Junior, Bela, and Boris, and how the pre-production of Frankenstein took its toll on everybody.
I really enjoyed this book, it was neat looking up all the actors and the films they created! The only character I had heard of was Bela Lugosi, and that was only due to a Ghost Adventures episode!
This book was well researched and it didn't feel like you were reading a research paper! Despite how short the book was, you became engrossed in these characters.
July 27, 2022
Definitely written by one who has a warm place in his heart for the golden era of Hollywood. This is a story of ambition, a father/son relationship, change and success wrapped in the making of 1931’s Frankenstein.
The story is told over a 3 day period prior to the shooting of the film. Carl Laemmle, Jr, “Junior," is trying to clean up the casting before the first day of shooting. He can’t quite convince the star he wants, Bela Lugosi to take the role, and doesn’t want another “no name” like the director’s choice, Boris Karloff. Junior needs this to go smoothly as the project is frowned upon by the higher ups but mostly his father. Junior is also expecting the title VP of the studio but this project could scuttle that too. Why can’t the board and his father understand, this is the future of Universal.
This is a fun easy read. Through a simple story some complex ideas are explored. But not too deeply the tone is light-hearted and playful. Recommend for film buffs.
The story is told over a 3 day period prior to the shooting of the film. Carl Laemmle, Jr, “Junior," is trying to clean up the casting before the first day of shooting. He can’t quite convince the star he wants, Bela Lugosi to take the role, and doesn’t want another “no name” like the director’s choice, Boris Karloff. Junior needs this to go smoothly as the project is frowned upon by the higher ups but mostly his father. Junior is also expecting the title VP of the studio but this project could scuttle that too. Why can’t the board and his father understand, this is the future of Universal.
This is a fun easy read. Through a simple story some complex ideas are explored. But not too deeply the tone is light-hearted and playful. Recommend for film buffs.
August 10, 2022
3.5 stars
As a lifelong fan of the Universal Monster canon (especially, Karloff, Lugosi and Chaney), I was excited to read this fictionalized take on the days leading up to the making of Frankenstein. Junior Laemmle wanted to make the movie, his father and founder of Universal, Carl Sr., didn't. Luckily Junior won out. The story dramatizes the battle between father and son as well as the two actors (Karloff and Lugosi) vying for the role of the Monster. While minor real life details irked me (i.e., Chaney is buried inside an unmarked tomb inside a mausoleum, not on a grassy hillside), the author did a good job of bringing old Hollywood back to life (see what I did there?), but unless you are a fan of the Monster genre, you might be hard pressed to enjoy it.
As a lifelong fan of the Universal Monster canon (especially, Karloff, Lugosi and Chaney), I was excited to read this fictionalized take on the days leading up to the making of Frankenstein. Junior Laemmle wanted to make the movie, his father and founder of Universal, Carl Sr., didn't. Luckily Junior won out. The story dramatizes the battle between father and son as well as the two actors (Karloff and Lugosi) vying for the role of the Monster. While minor real life details irked me (i.e., Chaney is buried inside an unmarked tomb inside a mausoleum, not on a grassy hillside), the author did a good job of bringing old Hollywood back to life (see what I did there?), but unless you are a fan of the Monster genre, you might be hard pressed to enjoy it.
July 4, 2022
This was a GoodReads giveaway win of a Kindle ebook.
I did rather like how this tale was told. Just the correct amounts of fact, character personality, drama, scheming, and name dropping to satisfy my needs. Stone blended everything together well and offered a well told story. I will have to go back and rewatch the resulting movie(s) and these actors with different eyes.
This was a GoodReads
I did rather like how this tale was told. Just the correct amounts of fact, character personality, drama, scheming, and name dropping to satisfy my needs. Stone blended everything together well and offered a well told story. I will have to go back and rewatch the resulting movie(s) and these actors with different eyes.
This was a GoodReads
June 18, 2025
This is an awesome book. It moves FAST but doesn’t skimp on the little details that make a story like this great. And I love knowing that the characterizations are probably a little more than accurate. I love the subject matter, the way the author tells the story, the time period, and pretty much everything else about the book. I wish there was a whole series with stories about other Hollywood personalities. I’d devour them. Highly recommended!
July 25, 2022
This was a fun, quick read. I took everything with a grain of salt, as this was written for entertainment, not study. Still, it was a fun little glimpse at old Hollywood and the particular era in time.
I noticed a few errors, particularly toward the end, but nothing that distracted enough to take away from the book.
I noticed a few errors, particularly toward the end, but nothing that distracted enough to take away from the book.
August 18, 2022
I really enjoyed reading this novel. In fact I want to investigate further ot see how far on the mark this book might be in regards to movie studios and owners and such back in the day. It had some dull moments but I am okay with that, just like life. If you like to read somewhat historical novels, this one is for you. Gave me insight into what some actors also went through back in the day.
February 8, 2023
This book was entertaining, but I just had a lot of trouble buying into the main character's motivation and driving force behind his actions. I received my copy as an ARC Goodreads Giveaway.
October 3, 2022
Imagine - if it hadn’t been for the persistence of young Junior Laemmle—the son of the owner of Universal Pictures but not yet able to make decisions for the company—Frankenstein the movie would never have existed. For those of us who grew up loving these old classic horror movies, that would be hard to believe. But it’s true, and author Julian David Stone shares with us, in his fictional recreation, the days leading up to the making of Frankenstein.
Even with the success of Dracula behind him, Junior still must fight tooth and nail to produce Frankenstein. Success for many hangs in the balance as Junior pushes through his project despite not getting the go-ahead. Boris Karloff waits with bated breath, and only pennies in his pocket, for the okay to play the monster while Bela Lugosi cringes at the thought of being forced to play the monster. The author shows through several real-life characters the angst they felt up until the final decision, which makes the reader turn pages in anticipation. A wonderful story for those who enjoy the old horror flicks and great background on a beloved old film. If you are an old-movie buff or just a lover of Hollywood sagas – you will enjoy this novel.
Even with the success of Dracula behind him, Junior still must fight tooth and nail to produce Frankenstein. Success for many hangs in the balance as Junior pushes through his project despite not getting the go-ahead. Boris Karloff waits with bated breath, and only pennies in his pocket, for the okay to play the monster while Bela Lugosi cringes at the thought of being forced to play the monster. The author shows through several real-life characters the angst they felt up until the final decision, which makes the reader turn pages in anticipation. A wonderful story for those who enjoy the old horror flicks and great background on a beloved old film. If you are an old-movie buff or just a lover of Hollywood sagas – you will enjoy this novel.
July 2, 2022
This is a great book about the making of the immortal Universal Studios Frankenstein. This book is about how Junior took over the studios from his father and started creating the Monster pictures that Universal is known for. It is also about the two actors, Bela Lugosi and Boris Karloff, trying to get the part of the Monster in the film.
I love the movie Frankenstein. I also love James Whale who directed both Frankenstein and the Bride of Frankenstein. This is a wonderful book written by someone who loves these movies also. It is a fast read and interesting about the Hollywood of yore and how hard it is to get a picture made even then. I really enjoyed the book and even though I knew what was going to happen, I thought that Mr. Stone gave the characters very real moments. Bela and Boris are very good characters. I hope that Mr. Stone finds another story like this in the Golden age of Hollywood. I would love to read more stories like this.
I love the movie Frankenstein. I also love James Whale who directed both Frankenstein and the Bride of Frankenstein. This is a wonderful book written by someone who loves these movies also. It is a fast read and interesting about the Hollywood of yore and how hard it is to get a picture made even then. I really enjoyed the book and even though I knew what was going to happen, I thought that Mr. Stone gave the characters very real moments. Bela and Boris are very good characters. I hope that Mr. Stone finds another story like this in the Golden age of Hollywood. I would love to read more stories like this.
October 25, 2022
It's Alive is the Bee's Knees!
Sometimes you run across a book that you have never heard of, yet once you discover it, you start reading it and cannot put it down! Such is the case for me with this fun read, which I only discovered yesterday. If you love old Hollywood replete with its classic movies and stars, you will very likely enjoy this book as much as I did. The author clearly did meticulous research on the subject and brings it to life in an exciting fashion. I was particularly struck by the fact that the author is a good writer; some books have great concepts but the writing is tedious or muddled. Mr. Stone knows how to write and engage the reader. The character development is strong; we really get a feeling for what motivates the characters and what they value with precise, deliberate detail. This novel is such a fun and fresh look at an exciting time in cinematic history.
Sometimes you run across a book that you have never heard of, yet once you discover it, you start reading it and cannot put it down! Such is the case for me with this fun read, which I only discovered yesterday. If you love old Hollywood replete with its classic movies and stars, you will very likely enjoy this book as much as I did. The author clearly did meticulous research on the subject and brings it to life in an exciting fashion. I was particularly struck by the fact that the author is a good writer; some books have great concepts but the writing is tedious or muddled. Mr. Stone knows how to write and engage the reader. The character development is strong; we really get a feeling for what motivates the characters and what they value with precise, deliberate detail. This novel is such a fun and fresh look at an exciting time in cinematic history.
October 22, 2025
A timely read for spooky season! I always love a historical fiction story set in classic Hollywood, and this one uniquely chronicles the three days leading up to the filming of Universal’s Frankenstein. The story unfolds through the perspectives of Junior Laemmle, Bela Lugosi, and Boris Karloff. At the time, both Lugosi and Karloff were considered for the role of the monster.
It’s kind of an odd plot when you already know how things ultimately turn out in the “real world,” yet it still kept my attention. This was a lighter, entertaining read that paired perfectly with my recent classic movie-themed cruise and made for a nice companion during my lunch breaks.
It’s kind of an odd plot when you already know how things ultimately turn out in the “real world,” yet it still kept my attention. This was a lighter, entertaining read that paired perfectly with my recent classic movie-themed cruise and made for a nice companion during my lunch breaks.
October 11, 2022
This was fun.
It is not a documentary (so some of the facts are not 100%), and some of the writing is more "telling" than "showing," but the plot structure of this book was superb. I could see "It's Alive!" as a movie (assuming you could cast the roles of Karloff and Lugosi effectively), and it would be brilliant.
Highly recommended for anyone who likes classic Hollywood and classic monster movies.
It is not a documentary (so some of the facts are not 100%), and some of the writing is more "telling" than "showing," but the plot structure of this book was superb. I could see "It's Alive!" as a movie (assuming you could cast the roles of Karloff and Lugosi effectively), and it would be brilliant.
Highly recommended for anyone who likes classic Hollywood and classic monster movies.
July 24, 2022
If you're a fan of Universal movie monsters, Boris Karloff, Bela Lugosi, or the golden age of Hollywood, this book is for you. It's a quick, easy read, which is no easy feat. Stone captures the glamor and power of old time Hollywood, taking the reader behind the scenes with the making of the then controversial movie, Frankenstein. Makes for a great summer read!
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