Classic Horror Movie Reviews-Mad Monster Party? (1967)
Tagline: “At
long last a motion picture with absolutely no cultural value”
This
theatrical feature is brought to you by Rankin/Bass, best known for their
children’s holiday specials. While
intended for a young audience, MMP is no Rudolph the Rednosed Reindeer, opening
with an atomic blast and punctuated with adult humor. The movie features the
voice talents of Boris Karloff (Mad Scientist, Boris von Frankenstein) and
Phyllis Diller (the monster’s mate).
Having
invented a potion of ultimate destruction, Baron Boris von Frankenstein invites
all the monsters to a party on the Isle of Evil to celebrate his
achievement. The guest list is an
impressive line-up of classic movie monsters including the Wolfman, the Mummy,
the Invisible Man and Dracula.
He confides to his voluptuous assistant,
Francesca his plans to retire and leave the business to his nephew, Felix
Franken. Francesca wants to take over
evil empire herself and plots to get rid of the nerdy nephew. Her plans backfire resulting in Felix
rescuing her and they fall in love.
The movie is
filmed using a stop motion process and includes several musical numbers,
including a mod-skeleton band (Little Tibia and the Fibias) and a tap-dancing
vampire. Mad Monster Party provides nostalgic
fun for fans of campy monster movie humor.