Mad Monster Party?

Mad Monster Party? (1967)

** 1/2 (out of 4)

Animated film has Dr. Frankenstein (Boris Karloff) inviting all sorts of monsters to his house as well as his young nephew. What people don't know is that the doctor plans on retiring and wants his rather dorky nephew to take over for him. This animated feature is certainly a favorite to many who grew up with it and I understand what they'd enjoy. I'm sure being a kid who loved monsters this here would be terrific because there are simply so many on hand. The problem I've always had with this film is that I think it would have been better served as a television special that way it wouldn't come with a 96-minute running time, which in my opinion is just way too long and it really sucks the story dry. I say this because the idea of a monster (Dracula) revolting against Dr. Frankenstein isn't exactly the greatest story idea ever made and this is clear because the film just starts to run out of gas because it doesn't have anything there to work with. The film is certainly creative and it appears that the filmmakers were fans of the genre. I think the best character is a clear homage to Peter Lorre and I thought this one was delightful whenever he was on the screen. The Frankenstein doctor is also memorable thanks in large part to the vocal performance by Boris Karloff. The monsters are another major plus as we've got all the big guys here including Dracula, the Mummy, Frankenstein's monster, the hunchback, the creature, Jekyll and Hyde and countless others. I really thought all the monsters looked fantastic and there's no question that their look will put a smile on the face of monster fans.

I enjoyed this movie mainly because I'm a fan of the classic Universal movie monsters and Rankin-Bass' Christmas specials. I liked some of the humor that was clearly aimed at adults and even enjoyed the musical numbers. Although, some of the gags went on too long and seemed a bit pointless (like the scene where the Igor-type character went in the kitchen to ask about the food). And the ending was surprisingly dark and strange for a movie targeted at kids and didn't really make sense for the purpose of the story.

It's fun and I think kids will especially enjoy it, but if you're lookin' for better kid-friendly Halloween features, I'd suggest Nightmare Before Christmas or the Hotel Transylvania movies.

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.

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