31 thoughts on “Is This the Real Mary Shelley?

    1. I read somewhere– either Lanchester’s autobiography, or a book that dealt with Universal horror films of the 30’s, possibly one of David Skal’s books– that Universal featured this gown in the promotions for the film, talking up how it was elaborately hand-beaded by a team of craftswomen, and even sending it on tour.

      And then the Hayes Office cut shots of it in the film itself because it showed too much of Elsa’s boobs.

  1. The whole look seems wrong to me. Young ladies of quality put their hair up when they entered society. Also slouching by Ms Fanning would have gotten her whacked by her governess.
    Wrong posture, wrong hair on both men and women and clothes that jar. Is that a Hair garland I espy? Yuck.

    Hmm. Probably will see just to see how it will turn out. Ms Fanning was okay in Effie. Posture and hair wise (Pre-Rafs loved flowing hair). And she wore it up when she was supposed to.

    1. Wrong sister. That was Dakota in Effie not Elle. But they’re both talented so I think it’ll work out.

  2. I saw the shot of her in the graveyard a few weeks ago and thought “Wait…blond? WTF?!” The only portrait I’ve ever seen was of a dark-haired woman. I mean, I would have been skeptical anyhow, from the costumes and hairstyles, but the fact that she was blond really bothered me for some reason.
    I am a massive Shelley fan, and had a knee-jerk reaction along the lines of “Don’t turn my gothic, science fiction inventing, brunette literary icon into a blond waif for men to emo fight over!”
    Am I being too nitpicky? Are there more historical images of her that makes hair color more mutable?

    1. I suppose Hayley Atwell was taken? Or another British Hayley Atwell type?
      Jessica Brown-Findley comes to mind.

    2. I’m trying to not be TOO snarky about the hair color, but these photos are making me twitchy overall. Free-flowing hair, sketchy costumes, I’m just getting a bad vibe…

  3. Not impressed- the wardrobe looks frumpy and untidy. And the usual actress with long flowing hair because doing a period hairstyle is too much work and looks so “icky”…

    1. I mean, you can almost see the puckering along the top-stitching around the pockets and fly. Not to mention the horrendous grain alignment along the side seams. Someone of Shelley’s social position would have had his entire wardrobe tailored by an atelier that employed a team of professional cutters who had already completed their tailoring apprenticeships.

  4. And the women aren’t wearing a corset. There were Regency corsets.
    Why is everyone slouching? Posture was drilled into the children of the landed gentry and English Middle Class (lawyers and unlanded gentry) Looking at the people/actors in photos they SCREAM 21st century.
    And I agree Douglas looks to be wearing 20th century slacks. Almost denim like.
    Why do costume designers inflict this trash on us?

  5. Maybe, but if so, I may bypass it in the theaters and wait for the DVD (to snark at screen, throw popcorn, etc.)

    1. True confessions: I don’t watch anything in the theaters if I can. At least partly bec. I get migraines from watching on a big screen. So yeah, streaming / cable / PBS, bring it to my couch pls!

      1. Sorry about the migraines. For me it’s the too loud volume. I only go if the movie is on the lines of LOTR or Hunger Games or A Noble Country.

  6. All that floppy hair. No, just stop it, people. And his hair is so, so 21st century. And would a gentleman stuff his hands in his pockets like that? Nope.

    1. That reminds me how in Berkeley Square, once Leslie Howard’s 1930s character goes back in time to the 1780s, he slouches in his new frock coat and breeches and puts his hands in his pockets as a joke. They’re all time travelers!

      1. The photo was labeled “behind-the-scenes,” so maybe he doesn’t actually do this on film. Not planning to watch to find out, though.

  7. On a completely different subject, are the military uniforms in Mercy Street from Civil War re-enactors? They seem, to my ignorant military eye, spot on. Also please review season 2 of show.

  8. My first thought at the Mary in the graveyard image was “Why is that poor girl wearing a potato sack?”

    Also, the badly knitted sweater-spencer?

    And…anyone on set got an iron? Anyone? Bueller?

  9. And I suppose the ‘Great Bobby Pin/Kirby Clip Shortage’ prevents the hair people from forcing the actress – Ms Fanning – from having her hair up? And the graveyard scene, is it an outtake from the latest teen vampire movie/TV show?

    1. All our bobby pins were imported from Russia, those darn sanctions! Now you know, if you wear your hair up you’re a commie sympathizer.

  10. Oh no. I so hate it when film makers/TV producers take a really interesting subject and trash it. Marry Shelly deserves so much better.

  11. I rather be thought correct, than follow derpy fads like ‘Regency Grunge’. 😁 Bolin & Faberge tiaras, anyone?

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