After not appearing on a T.V. channel for at least 9 years (Showcase Canada last aired the reruns) Frightenstein has returned on Drive-In Classics. Whether I've seen this show in the 70's, 80's, 90's, or today the show still is tremendously fun to watch. Even today, this CHCH-TV produced show is still great fun and looks much better compared with today's children fare. None of the preachiness, phony BS, or attempts to insult their young audience exist in this castle.
Half the skits involve the adventures of The Count and his lovable oaf Igor. The Count lives in Castle Frightenstein and wishes to leave so he can return to Transylvania. However, he can't leave unless Brucie, his "Frankenstein Monster" comes back to life and his futile attempts to revive his monster are always fun to watch. Other skits has him reading his mail, answering phones, or abusing Igor. Every episode starts with Igor singing the Transylvania anthem with The Count getting the last song vocal.
Also, the show was superb at teaching kids about the world. Noted physics professor Julius Sumner Miller teaches science and physics, The Oracle teaches Astrology and Mythology, Bwanna Clyde Batty teaches us about wild animals while Pet-Vet deals with domestic animals and the occasional wild pet. Add in Grizelda's hilarious cooking segment, The Librarian's attempt to scare you with his stories, and the classic 60's songs The Wolfman would play and dance to (and seeing his and Igor's silhouettes in psychedelia) and you've got more than enough here.
Still, the show goes even further with Horror King Vincent Price narrating a poem before a segment with one of the featured characters in the castle. Price's poems add even more to the show. Later in the run, they added new characters like the Grammar Slammer, who would threaten to beat up Igor unless he learned better grammar and proper sentence structure and Gronk, who would fluster The Count's attempts to read books by interjecting with hilarious comments. The Count would be close to tears after multiple ownings.
Add in the little blackouts with The Gorilla, the Maharashi, the Hippie Superman, the Mosquito, and various movie boards and you've got a show that stands the test of time for 35 years and will for another 35. Billy Van was a freaking genius and I give Drive-In Classics mucho kudos for bringing back the fun Frightenstein provides.
