The Henderson Monster story

movie: The Henderson Monster (1980) · 1980-05-25

A famed molecular geneticist accidentally creates a "monster" in his pursuit of a second Nobel Prize.

20 total · 8 major · 12 minor

Theme	Level	Motivation
academic occupation	major	The film is a tutorial in how to behave in the formal company of academics, move up the academic hierarchy, secure research grants, etc.
anti-intellectualism in society	major	Mayor Bellona was accused of being "motivated by a childhood animus" to mount an "idiot's crusade" against academics. A band of very enthusiastic Christians held and anti-science rally on campus.
genetic engineering in society	major	The entire film was a debate over the ethics of genetic engineering. The film culminated with a public hearing over the potential dangers of Dr. Henderson's experiments with gene splicing in particular, and DNA experimentation in generally.
government regulation in society	major	There was ongoing conflict between the university faculty and the city council over the extent to which the research of government funded scientists at the university ought to brought under public oversight.
husband and wife	major	Pete and Louise Casimir.
scientist occupation	major	The prominent geneticist Dr. Henderson found himself embroiled in controversy because of his experiments related to creating new forms of life.
speculative genetic engineering	major	Future applications of genetic engineering were discussed at length, including the possible creation of a bacteria that breaks down plastics.
the dangers of unfettered scientific advancement	major	Dr. Henderson advocated for the need for genetic research and the benefits to society that it could bring, but others, including Leo Tedeschi, raised some potential dangers of playing dice with evolution.
Christianity	minor	A very enthusiastic band of Unified Church of the Children of Grace members held a protest on campus.
coping with a drunken fool	minor	The partygoers were somewhat taken aback when Pete put back a few too many brandys at a fancy university function and went off on a flight of fancy comparing Dr. Henderson to Dr. Frankenstein.