Mad Monster Party? (1967)

Director:

Jules Bass

Writers:

Len Korobkin (writer)
Harvey Kurtzman (writer)

Genre:

Animation | Comedy | Family | Fantasy | Horror | Musical

Tagline:

It's the Silliest Party of the Year... and you're all invited!

Plot:

When Dr Frankenstein decides to retire from the monster-making business, he calls an international roster...

Plot Keywords:

Werewolf | Dracula | Monster | Sneezing | Killer Plant

Cast

Boris Karloff	...	Baron Boris von Frankenstein (voice)
Allen Swift	...	Felix Flankin / Yetch / Dracula / Invisible Man / Dr. Jekyll / Mr. Hyde / Additional Voices (voice)
Gale Garnett	...	Francesca (voice)
Phyllis Diller	...	The Monster's Mate (voice)
Ethel Ennis	...	Title Song Singer (voice)

Also Known As:

Mad Monster Party (USA) (alternative spelling)
Mad Monsters Party?

Runtime:

94 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Australia:G | Singapore:PG | UK:U | USA:Unrated

Company:

Embassy Pictures Corporation

Trivia:

The dialog at the very end of this movie is a take-off on the final scene of Some Like It Hot (1959).

Quotes:

[first lines]
Baron von Frankenstein: Ah... a lifetime of experimentation capped in one small vial. Now to the final step: The infusion of energy.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Cleavagefield (2009) (TV)

Soundtrack:

You're Different

My Favorite Animagic Feature

MAD MONSTER PARTY? is a fantastic addition to our cultural landscape. The Jack Davis designed puppets, the Harvey Kurtzman style satire, the great voices (including the irreplaceable Boris Karloff) and the surf guitar/spy music/monster mash soundtrack all combine to make a unique viewing experience, enjoyable for all ages. Most importantly, this film presents the greatest assortment of classic monsters in one epic story - Dracula, The Werewolf, Frankenstein's Monster, The Creature, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, The Mummy, King Kong, The Invisible Man, The Hunchback of Notre Dame and the Peter Lorre inspired Igor!

The Worldwide Organization of Monsters congregate on Monster Island to discuss the retirement of Baron Von Frankenstein (voice of Borris Karloff). The Baron announces that his nerdy nephew, Felix, is to be the sole inheritor of all his secrets, including the power to destroy all matter. This pisses off Frankenstein's inexplicably gorgeous assistant, Franchesca - who has touches of Honor Blackman, Bridget Bardot and Ann-Margret. Several of the monsters also feel that they should each be the sole heir to Frankenstein's evil legacy, and all hell breaks loose.

Whatever flaws this film might have are mightily compensated for by the terrific atmosphere, endearing voices (Felix sounds like Jimmy Stewart) and the unusual, existentialist ending. Whereas many Rankin/Bass Animagic* projects are designed by the gifted Paul Coker, this one is tackled by the wicked side of MAD Magazine, and it shows. MAD MONSTER PARTY? brings that holiday magic reserved for Christmas and shares it with Halloween - a feat later expanded upon by TIM BURTON'S NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS.

*The Rankin/Bass Animagic process is a stop-motion photography technique that uses three-dimensional figures.