Frankenstein Friday: Monstrous holiday celebrates world's most famous monster

Get ready to get your monster on, folks! While one of the best holidays in the entire year is almost here, another annual event is hours away and monsters all over the country are ready to celebrate! The last Friday in October celebrates one of the world’s most famous monsters. It’s Frankenstein Friday, an annual holiday created by writer/producer, Ron MacCloskey in 1997. And just in case you didn’t think this famous monster was popular, think again. Did you know there are other holidays that celebrate Frankenstein? Besides Frankenstein Friday, there is also National Frankenstein Day and Frankenstein Day, too.

Born on Aug. 30, 1797, Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley would write "Frankenstein" when she was just 21 years of age. With a cruel step-mother and emotionally distant father, she met poet Percy Shelley in 1812 and eloped with him a few years later. While the couple did have some happiness during their time together, three of the couple’s four children died at a young age and Percy died while sailing when he was just 30 years old. Although she authored other books, she is best known for her "Frankenstein" novel.

In honor of Frankenstein Friday, why not read or re-read the classic novel? If a book isn’t your cup of tea, why not watch one or two Frankenstein-inspired flicks? You can't go wrong with the 1931 version of Frankenstein starring Boris Karloff or check out the 1994 version of Frankenstein starring Robert De Niro, Helena Bonham Carter and Kenneth Branagh. But if a comedy is more up your alley, check out Mel Brooks’ 1974 version of Young Frankenstein, starring Gene Wilder and Madeline Kahn. Happy Frankenstein Friday!