I’ve long neglected the classic Hollywood monsters that have such long histories. So since it’s Halloween, let’s talk about them. I discussed ghosts last time but ghosts have no specific identity or backstory. Some monsters do, and there backstories are so well known that they are part of pop culture.
A lot of people are amazed Frankenstein was written by a woman. Mary Shelley of course. But the amazing thing for me is that the original novel was written in 1818! That pre-date’s Charles Dickens A Christmas Carol! What is it about the novel that captivates us so? The tale is full of so much metaphor and symbolism it’s still relatable. And then there is Frankenstein’s Monster who is a true victim, and it’s the tragedy of that character that brings us back. He doesn’t mean to harm anyone, and in almost every version it’s always him who shows he does have a heart. Even parodies remember this. This book was amazing and I never read it.
It is was Boris Karloff who gave us the quintessential version that most movies and TV try to imitate. Even it differed from the book. Why did he have a blazer? The Universal Monsters made such an impact that we still remember them today. And that goes for all of them not just Frankenstein. But Frankenstein may top them all. Though I think Dracula technically has more adaptations. Who doesn’t know what his bride looks like? Or recognize that iconic laboratory set up? And yes, the monster never had a name!!! Can we stop arguing about that?
So while I could list the millions of versions of Frankenstein out there, some more faithful than others to the source material, here instead are five example of taking the basic premise of Frankenstein but doing something a little more, weird with it.
Frankenberry
I know when I think Frankenstein the first to things that come to mind is pink and strawberry. Sure. Clearly inspired by Boris Karloff, we got this character to sell cereal alongside the popular vampire Count Choccula. And yes of course I know about Boo Berry I forgot to mention him last time. While I wouldn’t eat the cereal, ever, I do admire the work out into these commercials and the legacy these characters still have forty years later. While some have disappeared, like Fruit Brute, these two continue to endure.
Herman Munster in The Munsters
So what would happen if you domesticated Frankenstein and gave him a family? Fred Gwynne made this character work with his expressive face and bubbly personality combined with his soft sensitive soul. Even when people are scared of him he never thinks its his fault. I’ve said before I was never a fan of the show, and I wasn’t, but even I have to admire what Gwynn did with this role. Only he could pull it off (trust me others have tried and failed). And he doesn’t just resemble the famous monster, in the context of the series he was created by Victor Frankenstein. Then he met Lily, fell in love, and raised a family. As you do.
The Superfriends in “Superfriends Meet Frankenstein”
Ok folks buckle up this is gonna be hard to explain. The list of characters who have met Frankenstein range from Abbot & Costello to Alvin & The Chipmunks. So yeah The Superfriends did there version of the classic story. Have you ever wondered what would happen if Dr.Frankenstein transferred the powers of Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman into his monster? Of course you didn’t but that’s what happens when a descendant of Frankenstein creates an Android which can absorb the superhero’s powers. After dispatching the classic version of the monster, the scientist transfers the heroes powers and we get a Super Frankenstein Monster. It has Batman’s intellect (that it doesn’t use), Wonder Woman’s lasso and bracelets (because in the 80’s girls could never be strong), and Superman’s abilities. And don’t ask me how it copied the uniforms like that. So how is the day saved? They manages to do the same trick on Robin, making him larger and strong enough to take down the monster. With Kryptonite…makes perfect sense. You know, the older I get he more I realize that Superfriends was kinda silly. Someday I’ll talk about the ridicukous Wizard of Oz episode.
The Superfriends did a vampire story also but that’s a story for another day.
Mickey Mouse in “Runaway Brain”
So in the 1995 Disney decided to reinvent Mickey Mouse with a new short released in theaters. It was called “Runaway Brain” and was kind of scary. Maybe a little to scary for little kids. Needing money he applies as a lab assistant for Dr. Frankenollie. However he ends being trapped in an experiment to switch brains with a monster he created (which looks oddly like Pete from Goof Troop). They run around and for a bit and switch back. The only drawback with this short is that, well, it’s short! A little longer length time may have helped. And yes seeing the scary Mickey is a little scary. But I have to ask, how in the hell does lightning do the amazing things that it does in these shows????
(oh and yes there is another cartoon called FrankenPooh but that one is lousy)
Frank in Hotel Transylvania
I finally saw this movie and to be honest, it was only ok. I mean it’s beautify animated and all but not only is the story rehash but there were some parts I was just plain bored by. Though Adam Sandler’s performance as the vampire Dracula was really good. In this movie Frankenstein si played by Kevin James, and he plays a Frankenstein who has kind of retired and doesn’t remember how to scare anymore. Not quite as domesticated as Herman Minster but on that same path. There are actually a few Frankenstein homages in this movie. I wish I could say I loved it but it was only ok. The worst part being the way the movie throws out the rules about vampires entirely in the end…but we’re not talking about vampires today. I have no need to see the sequel and the 3rd one sounds ridiculous.
and finally, Phil Hartman on SNL gives us a stripped down version which only has one comment to make. I never got why this was a recurring character but here it is anyway.
And yes of course I would be remiss if I did not mention the ultimate parody, Peter Boyle playing the monster in Mel Brooks “Young Frankenstein”. That is a brilliant parody movie starring Gene Wilder..that I’ve never really seen. Did I miss any versions you think are worth noting? Comment and let me know. Hey you know I mentioned vampires quite a few times here. Hmmm…………
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