Written by R.H.W. Dillard, George Garrett and John Rodenbeck
Directed by Robert Gaffney
Starring James Karen, Marilyn Hanold, Lou Cutell and Robert Reilly
USA
My favorite show on TV right now is Svengoolie, named for the punny horror host who stars and showcases different classic horror and sci-fi movies each week. Sometimes they’re masterpieces, other times they’re so bad they’re good. This week he showed one I’d never seen before so it has become the final movie of Horrorfest 2021.
FRANKENSTEIN MEETS THE SPACE MONSTER definitely falls into the “so bad it’s good” category – it’s the kind of movie you see on “worst of” lists. I remember as a kid when I’d look at lists of horror films in books, I’d be amazed at the seemingly insane amount of “sequels” to Frankenstein and Dracula movies, including this one. At the time I didn’t realize most of these movies weren’t connected, and it was just B or Z-grade filmmakers taking the names for the marquee and then making schlock.
Don’t go looking for Frankenstein in this movie – you won’t find him. There is, however, a part man, part android astronaut named Frank who has his brain damaged and face disfigured in an alien encounter. As a result, he goes out of control and on a rampage. So, disfigured rampaging half man, half robot named Frank = Frankenstein. Get it? Nice try, guys.
You may notice I mentioned aliens above. Yep! Half this movie involves a ship full of aliens who come from a planet bereft of women to bring Earth women (preferably bikini babes) back with them. They also bring along a space monster, and Frank and the space monster eventually fight each other, hence the title.
The best character in the movie is the mischievous assistant to the alien queen, a bald imp with bat-like ears who seems to enjoy his job a little too much. This actor, Lou Cutell, went on to a modest career with small parts in mainstream flicks and TV shows, the most memorable of which, for me, is the inexplicable Amazing Larry who Pee-Wee yells at in a throw-away joke in PEE-WEE’S BIG ADVENTURE.
So that wraps up Horrorfest 2021 – 31 horror movies I’ve never seen before in 31 days. See you next year and happy Halloween.
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