Mad, Mad, Mad Monsters

Our second Halloween is Rankin Bass’ first animated Halloween film, Mad Mad Mad Monsters. Not to be confused with Mad Mad Mad Comedian, ironically this is a little funny.

Dr. Frankenstein creates the Bride for the Frankenstein Monster to be married. His assistance, Igor is jealous that he wants a girlfriend.

The Doctor invites all the monsters he knows to his party for the unveiling of his masterpiece. Wait, didn’t summarized this story before? Yes, this is mostly an exact plot to Mad Monster Party. In fact, this may be a prequel, despite continuity barely exist in the 70s. There is a major difference. The party is set at Transylvania hotel. *sigh* A human Hotel Transylvania, not Adam Sandler’s Dracula’s. Speaking of which, Dracula has a son, and the Invisible Man has a wife and son.

It was tricky to find a whole film online. Youtube only have the first 8 minutes. Thankfully, OVGuide has the full version, despite some scenes are out of order and has Jack O Lantern at the end.

Bob McFadden voiced Dr. Frankenstein sound as close as Boris Karloff. Fitting him also voices Franken Berry, and he would later voice Jingle Bell in Year Without Santa Claus. Of course Karloff wouldn’t reprise the role since he died after Mad Monster Party. Surprisingly, Allen Swift lends his voice for this film too, as he was Dracula, Invisible Man, Igor, Frankenstein, and the Werewolf. Dracula voice this version is at a deep Bela Lugosi, which sounds closer than Mad Monster Party’s Dracula that’s high pitch in comparison.

The human in this film is a Mailman Harvey, and the Bellhop, Norman (voiced by Bradley Bolke, who would later voice Jangle Bell). Harvey is the paranoid guy to deal with the monsters rather if they’re real or not. Norman is a monster fanboy, and it’s enjoyable to see his idols stay in the hotel he works for. Somehow they’re more likable straight men than Felix the George Bailey, because they’re useful in their jobs, one fear the monsters as one adore them, and aren’t doing the obnoxious ritual of curing his allergies.

The Bride of Frankenstein has a simple beautiful design, at least overall for the body. The face is mostly hidden through-out the film. When she does reveal her face at the end, she’s kind of adorable. Beautiful and Adorable is one of a perfect combination for a charming maiden. She might have some Klasky Cstupio kind of design, as long I don’t imagine Angelica from Rugrats.

Now, do I like this more than Mad Monster Party? Well that’s a hare to split between a groundbreaking Monster Stop-motion films vs. what could be an animated prequel than a remake.

Little Tibia and the Fibians singing “It the Mummy” is probably better than the Grim Reaper band in music and animation.

I hate to say this, but Phyllis Diller is better than Nagatha, the Invisible Woman. Phyllis Diller is herself, yet she’s part of the plan to be Dr. Frankenstein’s successor, but is a standout than an Alice clone from the Honeymooners. Even Wilma from the Flintstones is more evolved than her. I’m mostly assuming she’s voiced by Rhoda Mann, since they’re only two main and two human women in the film that she voiced all; The Invisible Woman, the Bride of Frankenstein, Rich fat lady, and teenage Karen(?). There’s a scene where the Creature from the Swamp plays in a pool with a woman, who I swear is a grown up Karen from Frosty the Snowman. They do grow up in the most delightful way. 

If I do have to choose which one, it would have to be Mad Mad Mad Monsters as it’s more entertaining, more likable, and it’s funnier to an extent than Mad Monster Party. If you do get to see both versions, check them. For me, this is graveyard smash from Rankin Bass.