06) Flesh for Frankenstein (1973) (Oct 6)
Presented by Andy Warhol,
Flesh for Frankenstein was shot back-to-back with
Blood for Dracula using the same crew and the principal cast (Udo Kier, Arno Juerging, Joe Dallesandro). Both films also share the same dark humor and a twisted take on the original subject matter.
Flesh for Frankenstein follows Baron Frankenstein's quest to create the perfect Serbian super-race, loyal only to him by mating his man and woman zombie creations. Unfortunately, his goals are hampered by his blind zeal for perfection and the buffoonery of his cohorts and surroundings.
As a huge fan or Re-Animator and Frankenhooker, I figured another crazy take on Frankenstein would be right up my alley, so this was really looking forward to this one. However, when I sat down to watch it I wasn't really in the right state of mind to get into it (the bane of making a strict schedule and trying to stick to it...). I had a bit of trouble getting into the movie and it hurt my enjoyment of the insanity on display.
Udo Kier gives a fantastically over the top and energetic performance as the Baron Frankenstein. There were times when I thought the veins in his neck were going to explode and his eyes were going to shoot out of his head during one of Frankenstein's many screaming fits. If the movie were a little more focused on Frankenstein's experiments and less on the supporting characters' subplots I think I would have enjoyed it more.
Everything outside of Frankenstein's lab is where things begin to drag. Arno Juerging gives an interesting, slimy performance as Otto, the Baron's assistant and seems to bask in his own bad acting, but everyone else is pretty terrible. Joe Dallesandro as the stableboy caught in the middle of the madness doesn't even attempt to hide his thick New York accent and whatever happened to Monique van Vooren as the Baroness makes her more monstrous than anything Frankenstein could stitch together. Frankenstein's children running around doing their best Pugsley and Wednesday Addams impersonation was pretty fun though, I wouldn't have minded if that was explored a little more.
Overall, watch it to see Udo's crazy-ass take on Frankenstein and try not to fall asleep while the other terrible actors are being terrible. It was probably pretty awesome seeing it in 3D back in the day though...
Pass (though I would like to revist in the future when I'm more in the mood.)
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07) Blood for Dracula (1974) (Oct 7)
Now
Blood for Dracula seems to be considered the lesser of the two films, but I couldn't disagree more. Like
The Vampire Lovers,
Blood for Dracula is a little more liberal and playful with the typical vampire rules and just seems to have fun with the whole thing.
The plot follows a sickly and almost pathetic Dracula (Udo Kier), who can only drink the blood of virgins, and without sustenance he will soon be dead. Unfortunately, it seems Romania has been sucked dry (literally) so his servant Anton (Arno Juerging again) suggests they take a trip to Italy where it will be easier to find virgins among the religious families. Upon arriving in Italy, Anton weasels an invitation for the Count to stay among a formally rich family who wants the Counts' money as much as the Count wants their 4 virginal daughters' blood. Of course this being a dark comedy, the castle's handyman (Joe Dallesandro and his New York accent again) might have something to say about that virginity...
Udo Kier is again fantastic in his role. He seems to be having a blast making these and it shows. Arno Juerging is still a pretty terrible actor, but in a fun way. He's even slimier in this one than he was in
Flesh. Joe Dallesandro is still pretty bad, but he doesn't stand out as much and the supporting cast is overall better than in
Flesh.
It does get a little too talky with the sisters at times and might feel a little slow because of that, but once Udo was on screen again the time just flew by. I just loved how pathetic Dracula was and it was such a refreshing change of pace from all the sexy vampire movies. Hey Criterion, get this one on Blu-ray!
Recommended.
Final Viewed List (2014):
01) White Zombie (1932) (Oct 1)
02) The Vampire Lovers (1970) (Oct 2)
03) Vampyros Lesbos (1971) (Oct 3)
04) She Killed in Ecstasy (Sie tötete in Ekstase) (1971) (Oct 4)
05) All the Colors of the Dark (Tutti i colori del buio) (1972) (Oct 5)
06) Flesh for Frankenstein (1973) (Oct 6)
07) Blood for Dracula (1974) (Oct 7)