Previously on Joshuaonline, we talked about a Rankin Bass special called "Jack O' Lantern" from their series "Festival of Family Classics". Now, from the same year that came out there was an other special and it's a kind of Halloween related. (We also could have used this for Friday the 13th).
Anyway, from 1972 from the "ABC Superstar Movie" it's "Mad Mad Monsters" The ABC Superstar Movie was a like the TV movie of the week for the younger demographic that started also in 1972. And Since it was the 70's the different specials were made by different companies and had different types of movies, with some being pilots for Saturday morning shows. This is the third film in this series and was made by the kings of Christmas (that's our name for them) Rankin Bass.
It is connected to their 1967 feature film "Mad Monster Party?" (The film seems to be doubting their title) So many of the characters are from that and it's like a prequel then. So let's take a look.
It starts with Baron Henry von Frankenstein creating a bride for his monster (wouldn't that be the monster's sister?) with him creating the wedding invitations out first , sure that's how that works. He's creates a wife for the monster. (Also Igor really wants a girl too) He goes to a hotel to have a wedding in a ballroom which is open on Friday the 13th, so good day.
You might be my sister, I'm not sure how this works/ Copyright Universal they own the rights
This is movie is called "Mad Mad MonsterS" so we need more monsters and first there's the invisible with his invisible family. (They wear clothes because censorship) I'm confused on why the mail man hasn't seen these monsters on his route before , the invisible family at least. There's also a mummy, Count Dracula. Dracula has a son apparently too and Boobula (Censors let that slip didn't they?) The mail man visits a doctor who tells him that everything he is seeing is in his imagination. There's also a werewolf.
Dog had to wear clothes too; censors were tough / Copyright Universal
This special seems to be setting up jokes for other people to be freaked out by the monsters like having the mailman fill in at the hotel. The bell boy thinks the monsters are just actors which is kind of fun. I'm going to point this out now, there's not lot that happens in this special where I can just write about it because it's mostly just them talking and some things going on and seeing reactions of people around them or how these monsters react. Like the invisible man and his wife seem to be this couple who like to trade barbs with each other. The two kids are kids.
Then Igor loses the bride and is taken by a pterodactyl guess they have to get her back now. The other monsters go on a mission to save her. They get her back, well that was easy time for a wedding. They get married it's kind of anti-climatic really.
more after the jump
It's not one of the best Rankin Bass things, but it's not awful. It kind of longer than it should be, like it should really be a 30 minutes (25 without commercials) than a special that was trying to reach the 60 minutes network slot (reaching 46 minutes without) and it feels like they needed filler. They felt they needed some tension with the bride being taken but then oh well that was easy they got her back so easily it was a waste of time.
I've not talked about "Mad Mad Monster Party?" yet but, I will say that movie is better than this special. The animation is nice though, classic Rankin-Bass traditional animation and I will say the characters are fun to see. Just kind of wish the special had more entertainment value to make it something that had a Rankin Bass touch of memorable specials.
It is kind of fun and goofy and younger audiences might enjoy it, and it does have some value for entertainment there and there's things to keep older people somewhat engaged and this mostly my opinion and you should check it out for your own views.
Also funny enough : The Amazon prime version of this special also includes "Jack O Lantern" .
That's our lookback now to wonder what happened to Mrs. Dracula.
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