Struck by Lightning (1979– )

Science teacher Ted Stein inherits a spooky old New England inn inhabited by its caretaker Frank. Ted learns he is the descendant of the notorious Dr. Frankenstein, and that Frank is in ... See full summary »

Stars:

Jack Elam, Jeffrey Kramer, Millie Slavin

Cast

Complete series cast summary:
Jack Elam	...	Frank (3 episodes, 1979)
Jeffrey Kramer	...	Ted Stein (3 episodes, 1979)
Millie Slavin	...	Nora (3 episodes, 1979)
Bill Erwin	...	Glenn Diamond (3 episodes, 1979)
Jeff Cotler	...	Brian (3 episodes, 1979)
Richard Stahl	...	Walt Calvin (3 episodes, 1979)

Storyline

Science teacher Ted Stein inherits a spooky old New England inn inhabited by its caretaker Frank. Ted learns he is the descendant of the notorious Dr. Frankenstein, and that Frank is in actuality Frankenstein's Monster. Ted decides to hang around the inn to continue his ancestor's experiments, while keeping Frank's identity a secret.

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Genres:

Comedy

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

19 September 1979 (USA)

Filming Locations:

Paramount Studios - 5555 Melrose Avenue, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Fellows-Keegan Company, Paramount Television

Technical Specs

Runtime:

30 min 30 min (3 episodes)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

User Reviews

"Struck" silly....

Another one hit wonder from the late '70s, it's amazing how desperate the networks were for new show ideas. Especially if they have to rip off Mary Shelley for sitcom ideas.

"Struck by Lightning" may bring a smile to the lips of Frankenstein aficionados, but it obviously didn't do much for anyone else, as this series detailed how a descendant (Kramer) of the late doctor discovers his heritage, thanks to the caretaker (Elam) of the inn he's inherited. By the way, did I mention the caretaker was actually Frankenstein's Monster??

Of course, if you're going to cast Frankenstein's monster in a sitcom, (*)Elam has the face for it as well as the comic timing. And I do remember a few moments when I actually got a laugh from this one-timer series (all due, in large, to Elam). But this is just another example of a one-idea show stretched out too long to make a good series.

By and large, "Struck by Lightning" will never make you forget "The Addams Family".

One star, for Elam.

(*) = Sorry about that face remark, Jack. But It IS why they hired you, you know.