Pre-Commentary: From the people who gave us Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, this stop-motion animation was a personal favorite when I was a kid. Hell, it's got Boris Karloff playing Dr. Frankenstein for the last time before his death in 1969!

Notes: Rankin / Bass. 94 minutes.

Baron Von Frankenstein: Boris Karloff
The Creature's Wife: Phyllis Diller
Francesca: Gale Garnett
Felix Flanken: Alan Swift

Director: Jules Bass

Summary: Baron Von Frankenstein raises a vial to the lightning; after creating life, he has now harnessed the power to destroy matter, and a crow and tree blow sky-high. He has his created assistant Francesca send out invitations to all monsters and to his nephew Felix, who works in a drug store.

On October 13th, the Frankenstein monster (and his wife), Dracula, the Mummy, the Werewolf ("Wolfie, you old dog! This convention is going to be a howling success!"), Dr. Jekyll, the Hunchback, the Invisible Man, and the Creature (of the Black Lagoon) gather at the Doctor's island. "It" was not invited and is feared; Yetch (a Peter Lorre-like assistant who dotes upon Francesca) and an army of zombies are to patrol the island.

Chef Mafia Machiavelli prepares octopus soup, hyena casserole, and other vile concoctions. The ghoulish band plays "It's the Mummy." Frankenstein is tired of "doing bad for others and rarely getting any bad in return." His planned retirement sends the monsters into vying for succession, but Francesca warns Dracula that nephew Felix is in the way. The monster and his mate maneuvre against this pair, but when Francesca falls in love with the asthmatic Felix, the two try to leave the island. Francesca is kidnapped and falls into the hands of "It" (King Kong). Frankenstein is disgusted with the mercenary monsters and helps Felix by flying a plane near It. He is captured in one hand of the creature who has the monsters in the other hand. Frankenstein releases the vile of chemical destruction, blowing them all up but Francesca and Felix, who escape in a boat. Francesca confesses that she is a machine, but Felix finally seems to be one too.

Commentary: Better songs would have catapulted this film into eternal fame and fondness in the hearts of all. Drat.