How Old Was William When Frankenstein's Monster Killed Him

Alright, let's dive into this like we're chatting over a cup of coffee. You know how sometimes you're watching a movie, and you think, "Hmm, I wonder how old that actor was when they filmed this?" Well, today, we're playing that game with William, the kid from Frankenstein.

First Things First: When Was Frankenstein Made?

So, grab your time machine and set the dial for 1931. That's when Universal Studios unleashed "Frankenstein" onto the silver screen. It's like when your mom lets you stay up late to watch TV, and suddenly, you're wide awake, eyes glued to the screen, wondering what's going to happen next.

Meet Little William

Now, let's talk about William. He's the poor kid who gets offed by the monster in the movie. You know, the one who's always running around, getting into trouble, and making us wonder, "Why are you even out here alone, kid?"

How Old Was He, You Ask?

Alright, here's where it gets interesting. The actor who played William was a tiny tot named Johnny Lee. Now, Johnny was born in 1928, which means he was a mere three years old when the movie was made. That's like being the youngest kid in kindergarten, running around, playing tag, and not having a care in the world - until, you know, the monster shows up.

Think about it. When you're three, you're still learning to tie your shoes, let alone run from a seven-foot tall monster. It's like when your little cousin tries to help you with your groceries, and you end up with a bag of spilled apples on the floor. Cute, but not very helpful.

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So, When Did the Monster Get Him?

Now, here's where it gets a bit tricky. The movie was released in 1931, but it was filmed in 1930. So, when the monster chased William through the woods and, well, you know, Johnny was just a baby. It's like when you're watching a scary movie, and you think, "I can't believe they're making a kid watch this!" Well, in this case, the kid was the one on screen.

Imagine this: It's 1930, and little Johnny Lee is on set, running around, playing tag with the crew, and then, bam! The monster shows up. It's like when you're playing hide and seek, and suddenly, your older sibling decides to join in, making the game a whole lot scarier.

William in Frankenstein by Mary Shelley | Character & Analysis - Lesson

But Wait, There's More!

Here's a fun fact for you. Johnny Lee wasn't even the first choice for the role. The part was initially offered to another kid, but his parents turned it down because they thought the movie was too scary. Can you blame them? It's like when your parents won't let you watch a horror movie because they think you'll have nightmares. Spoiler alert: You still watch it when they're not looking.

Anyway, back to Johnny. After his big screen debut, he went on to act in a few more movies, but eventually, he hung up his acting boots. It's like when you're a kid, and you decide you want to be an astronaut, but then you realize you're afraid of heights. So, you become a baker instead. Or something like that.

In Conclusion

So there you have it. William, the kid from Frankenstein, was just a baby when the monster got him. It's like when you're watching a movie, and you think, "Man, I wish I was that brave when I was a kid." Well, in this case, the kid was way braver than we thought. Or maybe he was just really good at pretending not to be scared. Either way, it's a fun little fact to throw out at your next movie night, isn't it?