In the old days, horror movies were not about shocking audiences with disgusting displays of blood and gore. The monsters were the central theme, with characters like Frankenstein’s monster, the Wolf Man, Dracula and the Mummy.
I have always loved these classic monsters, in part because of a rare holiday treasure from my childhood known as Mad Monster Party? (Originally, the film had a question mark is part of the title. Why? I have no idea. Maybe because monsters aren’t supposed to have parties.)
This stop-motion animated film came from Rankin/Bass, the same people who brought us Christmas classics like Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and Santa Claus is Coming to Town.
The story follows meek Felix Flankin (voiced by Allen Swift) who is invited to a party by his uncle, Baron von Frankenstein (voiced by horror veteran Boris Karloff). Dr. Frankenstein intends to reveal his last great invention and name his successor before he retires. All the monsters are invited, and each one assumes that he (or she) will be put in charge. Even the Monster’s Mate (voiced by Phyllis Diller) is vying for the job.
There is singing. There is dancing. It is funny, not scary. It has more in common with those Rankin/Bass Christmas specials than it would with anything by Tim Burton. Mad Monster Party shows Halloween monsters at their most innocent and loveable.
Enjoy this collection of scenes from the film with Ethel Ennis singing the theme song.
If you want to pick up a copy for your collection, Mad Monster Party
Mad Monster Party is also #9 on the FilmGuru.Net Top 10 Halloween Comedies.
]]>The 2009 Redbox “Halloween Thrillers” survey was conducted nationwide and included more than 600 Redbox customers.
According to the poll, 64% of Americans plan to watch a horror movie this Halloween. Watching a scary movie was the number one activity chosen by 23% of those responding, beating out trick-or-treating (17%) and costume parties (17%).
Among the surveys other findings:
- 60% of respondents said they prefer to watch scary movies at home rather than at a theater
- The Exorcist was voted the scariest movie of all time with 19% of the vote.
- Hannibal Lecter from Silence of the Lambs was voted most memorable villain overall (21%), but the younger audience (18-34) skewed toward Michael Meyers from Halloween and Freddy Krueger from Nightmare on Elm Street (tied with 22%)
- Creepiest kid in horror? Damien from The Omen (23%)
- Most memorable scary movie quote? “Here’s Johnny!” from The Shining (33%)
As for me, my wife and I have been trying to catch up on the horror movies that we’ve missed in theaters over the past few years. We’re pretty dedicated, but we miss a few that are either in limited release or just pass us by. This month has been horror month at our house, with the high point being the recently released Trick ‘r Treat
Written and directed by Michael Dougherty, Trick ‘r Treat is an exciting romp through four interconnecting tales of horror on Halloween night. I haven’t been this surprised by a movie in a long time. It was genuinely fun and frightening in a Halloween sort of way. This film will be a perennial favorite for many Halloween nights to come.
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