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Traveta reviews
Anchor Bay Entertainment
- Cert: Unrated
- Cat.no: DV12118
- Running time: 95 minutes
- Year: 1967
- Pressing: 2002
- Region(s): 1, NTSC
- Chapters: 28
- Sound: Dolby Digital 2.0
- Languages: English
- Subtitles: No
- Fullscreen: 4:3
- 16:9-Enhanced: No
- Macrovision: No
- Disc Format: DVD 9
- Price: $19.96
- Extras: Production art gallery, poster and still gallery, theatricaltrailer, 4 collectible postcards, 24 page book.
Director:
- Jules Bass
Screenplay:
- Len Korobkin, Harvey Kurtzman, and Forrest J. Ackerman
Voices:
- Baron Von Frankenstein: Boris Karloff
The Monster’s Mate: Phyliss Diller
Francesca: Gale Garnett
Felix Flanken, Yecth, Dracula, Invisible Man, Dr. Jeckyll/Mr. Hyde:Alan Swift
If you’re a fan of the figurine-animated productionslike Rudolph andmore you’ll know the nostalgia behind this. This movie is clearly alittle ahead of it’s time and I think it would have done really well ifreleased recently. The premise is good but just a little flawed.
Mad Monster Party tells the story of Baron Von Frankenstein. He hasperfected a new way of destroying matter. He also happens to be theleader of the orginization of monsters. Baron decides to throw his usualparty at his castle to announce his discovery, his retirement, and hisheir. The invitatios are sent out to the likes of Dracula, The InvisibleMan, the Creature, Wolf Man, Dr. Jeckyll and Mr. Hyde, the Monster andhis mate, the Hunchback and the Mummy. One is also sent to a pharmacyworker: Felix Flanken who happens to be the nephew of Baron VonFrankenstein. When the monsters arrive at the party (after a reallyfunny scene on the boat transporting them) they are shocked at theannouncement of their leader’s retirement. The Monster and his matebegin to think of a way to scheme Felix out of his inheritance but notwhile secretary Francesa and Dracula devise a plot of their own.
The idea of all of these classic Universal Monsters is enough reason towatch this movie. Couple that with some well written segments andimagination and you have a great way to pass the time. Do have somecomplaints though. I can’t imagine Dr. Frankenstein actually inventingsomething like a way to destroy matter and the idea that any of themonsters would want it seems ridiculous. The plot also falls apart nearthe end with a crappy final shot and a scene that actually has King Kongshow up. These inconsistencies keep this movie from greatness.
Into the disc. Anchor Bay is a great DVD studio since they usually putout cult classics and you can expect a few extras at least. Plus they’recheaply priced. Anyway the picture is GREAT. They did an excellent jobof touching this film up. It really looks like it was just madeyesterday. Pixelization is zilch and edge enhancement is nowhere to beseen. The only gripe is that I noticed a few specks of dirt every oncein a while. But this is a terrific transfer nonetheless.
The sound is presented in it’s original mono but it fits the movie’stone and atmosphere fine. It just sounds a little tinny sometims butoverall good.
The extras are are all just slides ans stills but they’re still good. Atrailer is also included. But the real gem is what is included in theDVD case. 4 postcards which are pretty much just promotional lobbyinserts and a 24 page book telling the history and making of the movie.
Overall, Anchor Bay has produced a fine product that is well worth theretail price of $19.98. In fact, many retailers are selling it for lessthan that. A great addition to any film buff’s library souly for thefact that all of these monsters are together.
PICTURE QUALITY
SOUND QUALITY
EXTRAS
OVERALLEmailTraveta
Reviewer of movies, videogames and music since 1994. Aortic valve operation survivor from the same year. Running DVDfever.co.uk since 2000. Nobel Peace Prize winner 2021.