Frankensteins Monster-Party

Baron von Frankenstein summons all the classic movie monsters like Dracula, the Mummy, the Wolfman, etc. to his castle to announce his retirement. When the monsters find out he plans to name his nerdy nephew his successor, they aren't pleased. I love Rankin/Bass and I love classic horror movies, especially the Universal monster movies. So this is right up my alley. As with the classic Rankin/Bass TV specials, the stop-motion animation is the primary selling point. If the animation does nothing for you, then you're in for a tough slog here. Boris Karloff and Phyllis Diller are the two most well-known actors providing voices to this. Others are impressions of the likes of Peter Lorre and Jimmy Stewart. The character Francesca is probably the sexiest thing Rankin/Bass did. Her catfight scene is awesome. The songs are terrific. So much fun. This really is a must for fans of Universal monster movies and Rankin/Bass.

Let me start by saying that I am a HUGE Boris Karloff and a cartoonist and animator as well'When I saw.the names of Harvey Kurtzman AS ND Jack Davis I knew I'm was in for a treat and was not disappointed. . You see, Harvey Kurtzman is co-creator of Mad in its comic book days and Jack Davis was one of their best artists. So when you look at the exceptional character design, you are looking at their work It is just as much fun as reading a Mad Magazine with its off-the-wall humor. Great fun and even my teenage son liked it which is AMAZING! My only complaint was the bizarre casting of Phylis Diller'

Fun for kids, classic horror fans and Boris Karloff.

What a shame that Rankin/Bass, the people who produced some of the most beloved Christmas specials ever ("Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer," etc.) only did two theatrical films, this and "The Daydreamer" a year earlier. "Mad Monster Party" is, like those specials, fun for all ages. Boris Karloff brings his inimitable prescense to the voice of Baron Frankenstein. With this film and Bogdonovich's "Targets" the next year, this old master of the horror film couldn't have asked for a better send-off. And then there's Phyllis Diller, bringing her particular brand of wackiness (And a surprisingly good singing voice!) to the role of "The Monster's Mate." The clay animation throughout is up to Rankin/Bass's usual excellent standard and the result is enjoyable, campy fun, at Halloween or anytime.

Another super puppet-animated feature from Rankin/Bass. This full-length motion picture released to theaters, is one of only two films by R/B with a Halloween theme - the other being "Mad Mad Mad Monsters" (similar story to this but done in cel animation).

When Dr. Baron Von Frankenstein decides to retire from his long career as the head of the monster society, he invites all of his ghoulish creations - Frankenstein's Monster, Mummy, Count Dracula, Invisible Man, Werewolf and many others - for one final bash before handing down his position to his successor which each of the monsters assume will be themselves. When the true successor is revealed as the Baron's long-lost nephew, a nerdy boy named Felix Flankin, all hell breaks loose and poor Felix is in big trouble!!

The characters are really top-notch thanks to a winning combination of exquisitely designed stop-motion puppets and and excellent voices provided by some big-name stars. Boris Karloff adds his eerie sound as the Baron, Phyllis Diller is an ingenious choice as the Monster's Mate, and Gale Garnett takes the cake as the most vivacious character, Francesca, a curvy, buxom, husky-voiced sexy red-head with a mind just as sinister as the ghastliest of the monsters.

Featuring a fantastic jazzy, spy-groovy soundtrack and creepy set designs, this campy film stirs up a genuine retro Gothic Halloween vibe. The jokes that adults will find humorous will fly right over children's heads, which will be too mesmerized by all the cool monsters to notice much else.

Some of my childhood favourites come from Rankin/Bass, and I still love a vast majority of them now(the only notable exceptions at the top of my head being Cricket on the Hearth and The Leprechaun Christmas Gold). I don't think I'd go as far to say that Mad Monster Party is perfect, but there is much that is fun and enjoyable. I am in agreement that some of the story and scenes, fun on the most part, may be a little too padded out, maybe in trying to sustain Mad Monster Party's length, which did feel a little too long. Phyllis Diller tries her best with some rather corny and unfunny dialogue and jokes, but in the end comes across as grating. However, the animation is detailed and ideally coloured and the monsters are deliciously kooky to look at and literally. In my mind it does hold up well. The musical numbers are bizarre but in a wonderful way, they are very catchy above all which is a good situation to be in. The score fits very well also. Apart from that of the Monster's Mate, the writing, with lots of puns, is both funny and weird at the same time, and there is some fun and interest value in the story at least that makes up for the length and the padding. The monsters have great personalities and are a delight to spot for any horror or literature fans. The Frankenstein doctor and Felix are endearing as well, but Francessca who is sexy and a hoot in every way is my favourite character. The voice acting is fine, Diller aside. Allan Swift does a great job, especially as the James Stewart-like Felix. The standouts however are Boris Karloff's wonderfully eerie Frankenstein doctor and Gale Garnett's enticing Francessca. All in all, I can see why people will dislike it but I find it good fun and worth the look. 7/10 Bethany Cox