20 unconventional takes on Frankenstein in entertainment

Universal is the studio known for its monster movies, but also for Abbott and Costello films. Bud and Lou would go on to meet many a boogen, but first up, the two got to meet Frankenstein. Reportedly, at the time Abbott and Costello weren’t happy with the movie, but it became such a big hit the format (and it did become a format) was replicated time and time again.

They say the idea of the “teenager” was born in the 1950s, and so was the idea of just throwing “teenage” into the title of a movie to spice it up. AIP, the company known for low-budget films and Roger Corman productions, had released a hit (by its standards) in “I Was a Teenage Werewolf.” So, five months later, they released a Frankenstein version. Yes, if you do the math, it’s clear this one was thrown together quickly.

For a 1950s movie, “Frankenstein 1970” is pretty meta and shows riffs on the story were already becoming abundant—Boris Karloff stars, but as Victor von Frankenstein. The film ties itself into Nazi Germany, and Baron Frankenstein also allows a crew to follow him and shoot a horror movie to fund his experiments. Is it entirely a success? No, but it is interesting.

Japanese kaiju films can get quite out there, and they aren’t afraid to bring in some other intellectual property. A sterling example of that is “Frankenstein vs. Baragon.” This is not your usual take on Frankenstein, as in this instance, the “monster” is a boy who grows to kaiju size thanks to exposure to radiation. Baragon was introduced in this movie, but would later get a chance to square off with Godzilla as well.

In 1966, Embassy Pictures released the double feature pairing of this movie as well as “Billy the Kid Versus Dracula.” Yeah, they were cheap Western horror flicks based on characters in the public domain. In this one, famed criminal Jesse James actually meets the granddaughter of the original Dr. Frankenstein, who has gotten into the family business. The daughter/granddaughter mix-up is no surprise, given that both of these films were shot at the same time over eight days.

Rankin/Bass is best known for their Christmas specials, but they also put together an animated musical feature that is rife with monsters. Once again, Karloff plays (in this case voices) Boris von Frankenstein, and he lives on the Isle of Evil where he (and his monster and the monster’s paramour) invite an assortment of monsters for a party. It’s now considered something of a cult film among stop-motion fans.

Yes, Virginia, there is a “Blackenstein.” Obviously, “Blacula” is an iconic world of blaxploitation horror, but that was not the end of it. While the movie is known as “Blackenstein,” the poster calls it “Black Frankenstein” and the on-screen title is shown as “Blackenstein the Black Frankenstein.” Unlike “Blacula,” this one is considered utterly bad and forgettable.

One of the most famous riffs on “Frankenstein,” to be sure. The same year “Blazing Saddles” came out, Mel Brooks also had “Young Frankenstein” arrive. This film, thanks to extensive input from star Gene Wilder, is less goofy than many of Brooks’ output. Frankly, that’s for the best, and “Young Frankenstein” is arguably his greatest work. It’s still funny, of course.

Not every “Frankenstein” interpretation actually features Dr. Frankenstein or his titular monster. “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” is definitely a take on the concept, though. After all, there is a Dr. Frank N. Furter who creates new life that is very Frankenstein-esque in idea (if not look). The musical is perhaps the quintessential cult classic.

“The Monster Squad” is one of those middling ‘80s movies that has been reclaimed and signal boosted by Elder Millennials and “True ‘90s Kids.” A few kids take on an entire squad of the classic Universal monsters. While Wolfman gets the biggest moment, Frankenstein is there, and played by Tom Noonan at that!

This made-for-TV film may name drop a werewolf, rest assured Frankenstein and other monsters are in the mix. “The Reluctant Werewolf” is from a bleak time in the world of Scooby-Doo. Not only are there actual monsters – which goes against the whole ethos of “Scooby-Doo – but this movie is notable for being the final appearance of Scrappy-Doo as a main character. Yeesh.

Horror icon Vincent Price plays a scientist who builds a man out of machinery. If that doesn’t scream “Frankenstein,” what does? In Tim Burton’s beloved film, Edward is a naïve, kind man who just so happens to have scissors for hands due to the death of his creator. Burton’s work has gotten a little stale, but “Edward Scissorhands” still pops.

Burton was really into the “Frankenstein” idea. Before he made “Edward Scissorhands,” he made his name in part based on an animated short called “Frankenweenie,” which was about a dog brought back to life Frankenstein-style. Once he had the cache, Burton made a full-length version, which isn’t as well-liked but is solid enough.

The foremost place to see Frankenstein, and other notable monsters, these days is in the “Hotel Transylvania” movies. Adam Sandler voices Dracula, the ostensible lead, but of course Frankenstein is in the mix. Also, naturally, he’s voiced by one of Sandler’s many hangers-on, in this case Kevin James.

How to describe this Netflix short film? Well, David Harbour, the actor, plays a version of himself. He also plays his “father,” also named David Harbour, who in this universe famously starred in a play with the same name as the short film. So, in short, it’s a faux documentary about a fake place involving a real actor playing a fake version of himself and his father. Worth a watch, if not fully successful.

This may be a bit of a spoiler, but, yes, “Poor Things” is a take on “Frankenstein.” Which, to be fair, feels right up the alley of director Yorgo Lanthimos. A critical darling, the movie also earned the second-most Oscar nominations for 2023, behind only “Oppenheimer.”

With the movies out of the way, there are a few TV shows to touch on. First up, “Groovie Ghoulies.” The CBS Saturday morning cartoon is more of a cult favorite, but it made some cultural impact. It turns many of the classic Universal monsters into “hip” versions of themselves, by 1970s standards at least. Drac, Frankie, and Wolfie are the ostensible leads, and they do make up the band The Monster Trio, who have a song in every episode.

If you were a kid in Canada in the 1970s (and even beyond, thanks to the power of reruns), you may remember “The Hilarious House of Frightenstein.” It’s your classic kids’ show. That is to say, it is semi-educational and built around sketches. Since it’s Canadian TV, it was also made super cheap, and all 130 episodes were shot in the span of nine months. Vincent Price pops up to introduce many sketches, and filmed all his scenes in four days. The action largely takes place in the castle of Count Frightenstein, who is somehow in the role of both Dracula and Dr. Frankenstein, effectively.

Did you know there was a Frankenstein sitcom in the 1970s? It’s true! In 1979, “Struck by Lightning” debuted on CBS. Ted Stein is a science teacher who inherits an inn taken care of by Frank, played by character actor Jack Elam. Naturally, Stein turns out to be the descendent of Dr. Frankenstein, and Frank his monster. Don’t remember “Struck by Lightning?” That’s fair. Only three episodes aired before it was canceled.

If we are talking variations on “Frankenstein,” it makes sense to finish with “The Munsters.” The monster family debuted as a 1960s sitcom, with Frankenstein-style monster Herman the patriarch of the family. It was goofy, and repetitive, but popular and carrying a lot of cultural cache. There have been TV movies, attempted reboots, and even a film adaptation. Next to Frankenstein’s monster, Herman Munster is the most-famous character of this archetype.