Hilarious House of Frightenstein

I recently read somewhere that the official broadcast master negatives that were used were allegedly destroyed at the request of the producer after the show came to an end on showcase cable in 1997. I can't believe that the producer would make such a bizarre request and actually have someone destroy all the material from this classic Canadian children's show.

They're back! Created in 1971 "The Hilarious House of Frightenstein" ran for over 25 years as it aired throughout Canada and some parts of the United States. The Hilarious House of Frightenstein has built up a huge cult following since it left the airwaves in 1997 and thanks to Critical Mass and Anchor Bay Entertainment we are transported back to the 1970's and the Castle Frightenstein all over again.

Welcome back to the Castle Frightenstein and its ghoulish inhabitants for 9 more hilarious installments starring The Count (Billy Van) and Igor (Fishka Rais). What more can be said about the incredible and iconic Billy Van, he was a comedic genius and he was definitely the show all by himself. Billy Van played nine other characters on the show besides playing the Count and he played all of them to perfection. He also surrounded himself with an assortment of wacky characters that made the show even more enjoyable to watch.

In this latest installment of "The Hilarious House of Frightenstein" you'll join the Count and his ghoulish henchmen Igor as they welcome an array of Ghastly and Ghoulish characters to the show. Some of these wacky characters are Grizelda "The Ghastly Gourmet, The Librarian, Bwana Clyde Batty, Dr Pet Vet, Harvey C. Wallbanger and more. The 9 full length episodes and bonus feature included run approximately 447 minutes with mono sound and they are presented in their full screen format. The quality of the picture and sound is really good and better than I had expected. The video transfer is pretty clear with some blemishes here and there and the sound is really consistent. The 3 discs are single sided with nice artwork and detail. The discs come in individual slim cases with slip covers that can be colored with magic markers or crayons if you want.

The Hilarious House of Frightenstein with its opening and closing segments from the legendary Vincent Price and outrageous comedy from Billy Van was pure genius. Sadly Billy Van passed away in 2003 and Canadians lost a very talented and underappreciated comedic talent. Thanks to the magic of DVD and these 9 wonderful episodes fans of the show will get to remember Billy Van and his classic brand of humor for many years to come. It's back to Castle Frightenstein, Thanks Billy!

DVD Episodes Include:
-Joy to the World
-Sprinkler Chaser
-Gimme Gimme Good lovin'
-Everyday with you Girl
-Polka Dot Kid
-Sky Pilot
-Games People Play
-Shark Remover
-Mercy
-Bonus Feature: Return to Transylvania (The Billy Van Documentary)

This nine episode collection is the full hour-long Canadian version. Excellent quality video will have you and your kids laughing along with all the kooks in the castle. I love it!

Canadian TV was home to many outstanding TV shows in the 1970's. The Beachcombers, Mr Dress Up, The Friendly Giant, Front Page Challenge, and The Hilarious House of Frightenstein. No other show could claim such a rabid following amongst Canadian children.

Originally produced by CHCH TV in Hamilton as an educational show, the incredibly talented Billy Van and the Markowitz Production company assembled a line up of segments featuring Dr Pet Vet, Grizelda, The Professor, a laboratory scene, the Librarian, sonnets by Vincent Price, Zany Zoo time, and likely, the first regular rock videoVJ, the Wolfman. As kids, we probably missed the educational aspect in the show, but hung onto the brilliant characters in the cast. Igor, the Count, the Wolfman, Dr Pet Vet, and the Librarian seemed larger than life. Brucie, the immobile, silent type always seemed to be the intelligent one. I think he got the best lines. Building on a career that spanned decades, Vincent Price rapped the Frightenstein theme poem and floated across thunderlit graveyards.

"Another lovely day begins, for ghosts and ghouls with greenish skin.
So close your eyes, and you will find that you've arrived in Frightenstein.
Perhaps the Count will find a way to make his monster work today.
For if he solves this monster-mania, he can return to Transylvania.
So welcome where the sun won't shine, to the castle of Count Frightenstein!"

Frightenstein, over the years, has garnered a fan base that will not let it die. Fans are split over exactly why it is so popular. Some suggested reasons include the theme song, "Gory, Gory, Transylvania", the mark of the three toed sloth, Brucie, Igor, Gronk, Grizelda, Billy Van in his various roles, the golf gall gorilla, or the funky Moog synthesizer theme song. The "Gory, Gory, Transylvania" edition includes 9 hours of brilliant comedy interspersed with educational themes. Anchor Bay Entertainment includes a documentary on the career of the versatile Mr Van. A bonus is 3 coloring pages that accompany the DVD covers.

This show is still popular. Kids of all ages recognize the music, or individual segments. While writing this, my children, wife, and three generations of Canadians remarked "What a great show", and "I watched that with my dad all the time.". Sure signs of a DVD set sure to be in homes across the country.

If there is anything missing, it's a booklet or companion piece on the history of the series. Perhaps that's coming next? Relive your childhood, learn better cooking with Grizelda the Gourmet, and dance with the Wolfman.

In the 1970's, I joined the House of Frightenstein fan club. Today, I renew that with enthusiasm, vigor, and appreciation.

Www.anchorbayentertainment.com
www.frightenstein.com

Tim Lasiuta