Dr. Finkelstein is is a major character and minor antagonist in Tim Burton's 1993 stop-motion Disney film, The Nightmare Before Christmas. He is a wheelchair-bound mad scientist residing in Halloween Town, and the creator of Sally.
Dr. Finkelstein is a frail-looking person, with thin, spindly limbs and very small hands and feet, but a disproportionately large head. He is confined to a black, electric wheelchair that seems to be rather old and difficult to operate. The chair is almost entirely metal and lacks any sort of cushioning, and it sports two levers, one on either armrest, that Finkelstein uses to move it. Finkelstein himself dresses in a long white lab coat that buttons up on the right side, pants of the same color, black shoes, and black gloves that are a good deal wider than his arms. His skin is an unhealthy white color and he has small, beady black eyes, normally covered by his goggles, as well as thin black eyebrows. His mouth is beak-like in structure and he seems to be missing a few teeth. Finkelstein's ears and nose are so small as to be almost nonexistent, and his nostrils point forward. Easily, Dr. Finkelstein's most prominent feature in his skull, which bears several obvious bolts and a clear horizontal seam going around the middle. Finkelstein can literally flip his skull open via a hinge in the back, exposing his pink brain, which he often scratches when attempting to figure something out.
Role in the film[]
Gallery[]
Dr. Finkelstein finding Sally during the Halloween celebrations.
Finkelstein trying to take Sally home by force.
"You're coming with me!"
Finkelstein on the ground after Sally unstitches her arm.
Finkelstein surprised to see that Sally has returned.
Finkelstein repairing Sally's arm.
Finkelstein scolding Sally for poisoning him and running away, saying she is his property.
Finkelstein arguing with Sally.
Finkelstein telling Sally to be patient with wanting freedom.
Finkelstein finishing Sally's arm.
Finkelstein scratching his brain while looking over some x-ray photos.
Finkelstein having his soup cooked and made by Sally.
Finkelstein about to eat his soup until he smells Frog's Breath.
Finkelstein ordering Sally to taste the soup just to see if she is not tricking him.
Finkelstein after Sally refuses to eat the soup.
Finkelstein trying to guilt trip Sally.
Finkelstein watching Sally "taste" the soup.
Finkelstein being convinced there is nothing wrong with the soup.
After being convinced by Sally, Finkelstein starts drinking all of his soup.
Finkelstein having fallen under the affects of the Deadly Nightshade.
Finkelstein sleeping as Sally leaves to go attend a town meeting.
Finkelstein locking Sally in her bedroom as punishment.
Finkelstein is referred to as "Evil Scientist" in the credits. His true name is mentioned once in the movie by the Mayor of Halloween Town when he is called up to the front of line to receive his Christmas assignment.
Finkelstein was originally going to be Oogie Boogie in disguise who planned to get revenge on Jack after Sally fell in love with him. However, Tim Burton hated the idea so much that it was scrapped after he literally had anger outburst.
