"David Annan .. here turns his wide knowledge of movie fantasy and the fantastic to an exploration of an established science fiction theme -- the mechanical man. His study shows how what was a charming parable at the beginning of this century, now mirrors a disturbing reality, with the growth of genetic engineering, organ transplants and artificial insemination. ... David Annan traces this evolution from the most famous and memorable exponents of the theme, like Frankenstein and the female robot of Lang's Metropolis, through the various comedies, space fantasies and monster movies that have made a feature of man-made men."--Jacket