"The Hilarious House of Frightenstein" (1971) TV series

User Rating:

8.3/10   

Director:

Riff Markowitz

Writer:

Riff Markowitz (writer)

Seasons:

unknown

Genre:

Comedy | Family

Plot:

The scary and silly goings-on at a mad scientist vampire's home/lab.

Plot Keywords:

Mad Scientist | Vampire | Frankenstein's Monster | Gourmet | Breaking The Fourth Wall

Cast

Billy Van	...	Bwanna Clyde Batty / ... (1 episode)
Guy Big	...	Midget Count (1 episode)
Mitch Markowitz	...	Mosquito / ... (1 episode)
Julius Sumner Miller	...	The Professor (1 episode)
Vincent Price	...	The Narrator (1 episode)
Fishka Rais	...	Igor (1 episode)
Joe Torbay	...	Harvey C. Wallbanger / ... (1 episode)

Runtime:

60 min (130 episodes)

Country:

Canada

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Canada:PG

Filming Locations:

Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

Company:

CHCH-TV

Trivia:

Although most of the show was played for laughs, the regular science segments featured a genuine professor who studied under Albert Einstein and who had also been resident scientist on the original "The Mickey Mouse Club" (1955).

Quotes:

The Narrator: The castle lights are growing dim, there's no-one left but me, and him. When next we meet in Frankenstone, don't come alone

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Kenny vs. Spenny: Who Can Live in a Haunted House the Longest? (#3.8)" (2006)

great things sometimes come in the oddest of packages...

Produced all in one shot at the CHCH-TV studios in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada in 1971, this show elevates low budgets as the mother of creative invention to deity-status. Character actor Billy Van reaches his zenith with his portrayal of not only the self-important Count, but also a plethora of others, all of to whom he breathes life and very distinct personalities.

The groovy, record-spinning Wolfman. The Animal-loving Dr. Pet-vet. The crazed Julia Childs of Transylvania, Grizelda (who always added a pinch of Walt to every recipe...Walt was of course a large jug of her late husband's ashes). The Oracle. Bwana Clyde Batty. The list goes on.

And not to be outdone, the spooky environs of the Count's castle were shared by Fishka Rais' lovable oaf, Igor. Whether he was catching heck from the Count, dancing up a storm to a soul record with the Wolfman or begging the Three-Toed Sloth to finally let him keep one the animals Dr. Pet-vet offered him...you couldn't help but love the big green-skinned under-dog.

Oh, and nostalgia buffs be alert!!! During a huge lull in his career, horror icon Vincent Price accepted the role of the Narrator, wise sage and "host" of the show. Spouting playful rhymes that served to introduce each new segment, Price lent a certain credibility to the castle's proceedings.

The Hilarious House of Frightenstein was and still is just that, hilarious. Here's the best way to look at the show...SCTV for kids.