The Brendan Fraser Factum.: GODS AND MONSTERS (1998)

Death is not the greatest loss in life.

The greatest loss is what dies inside of us while we live.

-Norman Cousins

On June 30, 1997, Brendan began work on what would be one of his favorite films.
He spent twenty-four days filming what is undoubtedly one of the finest dramatic performances of his career, so far. And as an added bonus, he fulfilled a longtime dream by working with one of his idols, Sir Ian McKellen.

"I knew that this film had no money, very little time, and that it's working title was 'The Untitled Piece with Ian McKellen', and that's all I needed to know." - Brendan Fraser

Gods and Monsters is a dramatized biographical film imagining the final days of British director James Whale, the man who gave us Frankenstein, Bride of Frankenstein, The Old Dark House, The Invisible Man, as well as the most beloved film version of the musical Showboat.

Haunted by his unhappy childhood in England, the horrors of WWI, and his failing health, James Whale, nearly forgotten by Hollywood forms an unlikely friendship with his new gardener, an ex-marine who reluctantly agrees to model for Whale.

Brendan as Clayton Boone.

Lynn Redgrave as Whale's devoted housekeeper, Hannah.

David Dukes as his former lover and friend, David Lewis.

Lolita Davidovich as Betty

Jack Plotnick as Edmund Kay

Jack Betts as Boris Karloff, Rosalind Ayers as Elsa Lanchester and Arthur Dignam as Ernest Thesiger.

The film was directed by Bill Condon

who also wrote the screenplay adaptation of the novel by Christopher Bram,

entitled "Father of Frankenstein." (Mr. Bram on the right.)

Filming took place in Pasadena,California and Vancouver,BC.

ACCOLADES

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ACADEMY AWARDS

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BEST ACTOR IAN McKELLEN -Nominated

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS LYNN REDGRAVE- Nominated

BEST SCREENPLAY ADAPTATION BILL CONDON- Won

GOLDEN GLOBE AWARDS

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BEST ACTOR IAN McKELLEN -Nominated

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS - LYNN REDGRAVE - Won

BEST PICTURE (DRAMA) - Nominated

SCREEN ACTORS GUILD AWARDS
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Best Actor - Ian McKellen - Nominated
Best Supporting Actress - Lynn Redgrave -Nominated

BAFTA AWARDS
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Best Suppoting Actress- Lynn Redgrave -Nominated

CHLOTRUDIS AWARDS
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Best Actor Ian McKellen - Won
Best Film - Won
Best Supporting Actor- Brendan Fraser - Nominated
Best Supporting Actress - Lynn Redgrave -Nominated
Best Director- Bill Condon - Nominated

Cinematography by Steven M. Katz Edited By Virginia Katz Music By Carter Burwell Production Design By Richard Sherman Set Decoration By James Samson

Costumes Designed By Bruce Finlayson

Ian and Brendan resting between takes.

Filming the pool scene.

The cast at a benefit in Los Angeles May 19, 1997, three months before filming commenced.

I found this picture recently and could resist adding it. How charming and sweet!
I had no idea that Mr.McKellen and Miss Redgrave had worked together previously.
SUNDAY OUT OF SEASON (1965)