Abby Normal Academics

Tuesday, October 27th, 2009 • 10 Comments

Last night I had to sign a permission slip for the Tall Kid. Not for a field trip, but for English class. They’ll be studying Frankenstein by, apparently, watching the 1994 film, Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, which the teacher referred to as “powerful”.

Okay, it does have an impressive cast: Robert De Niro, Kenneth Branagh, Helena Bonham Carter, Aidan Quinn, John Cleese, etc. And I’ve heard it best represents the book.

But…

My husband and I believe, as parents, our job is to not only stay on top of the education he’s receiving at school, but to fill in any gaps. And, I’m sorry, but studying classic literature by watching a movie made in 1994 is a gap. A big gap.

That’s why we decided it’s time to step in and I just returned from Walmart where I bought a DVD copy of a true cinematic masterpiece and the definitive Frankenstein film:

That’s right, the 1974 film by the brilliant Mel Brooks: Young Frankenstein, starring Gene Wilder, Peter Boyle, Marty Feldman, Madeline Kahn, Cloris Leachman, and Teri Garr.

Our son’s education is very important to us, and we take that responsibility very seriously.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, October 27th, 2009 at 10:25 am in Movies & TV. You can feed this entry. Both comments and pings are currently closed.

10 comments to “Abby Normal Academics”

1. Charlene
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   1

     · October 27th, 2009 at 10:32 am · Link

   It’s hard, being a dedicated parent. I hope you also intend to expose him to Blazing Saddles if he has to study Lonesome Dove.

   
   
   
2. Sarah Frantz
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   2

     · October 27th, 2009 at 10:35 am · Link

   From an academic who studies Romanticism: uh, no, does not best represent the book. Think you’ve got the right of it.

   
   
   
3. Shannon
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   3

     · October 27th, 2009 at 10:36 am · Link

   Oh, absolutely!

   We managed to make last Christmas an educational experience by providing him with a copy of Men in Tights to ensure he was on top of the study of British legends in history. We could do no less for the American West.

   :cowboy:

   
   
   
4. Shannon
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   4

     · October 27th, 2009 at 10:37 am · Link

   From an academic who studies Romanticism: uh, no, does not best represent the book.

   That’s good to know. Will let the TK know so he can start planning the best way to “debate” the issue with his teacher.

   
   
   
5. Jaci Burton
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   5

     · October 27th, 2009 at 10:56 am · Link

   Hump? What Hump?

   Nice Knockers.

   ohhhhh sweet mystery of life at last i’ve found youuuuuu….

   These are key elements to the Frankenschteen lore. Everyone knows that.

   
   
   
6. Karen Templeton
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   6

     · October 27th, 2009 at 12:08 pm · Link

   :lmao:

   Brilliant. Just brilliant.

   I :heart: you.

   
   
   
7. Lori
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   7

     · October 27th, 2009 at 1:30 pm · Link

   Only the best movie ever made. Except maybe Airplane.

   
   
   
8. HelenKay Dimon
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   8

     · October 27th, 2009 at 10:25 pm · Link

   Very happy to see you staying on top of your son’s education. Nice. :thumb:

   
   
   
9. Kwana
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   9

     · October 28th, 2009 at 8:19 am · Link

   Oh yes! You’ve got the right of it there.

   
   
   
10. Alison Kent
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    10

      · October 28th, 2009 at 12:41 pm · Link

    One of @cuppacafe’s favorite movies.