SHOCK strips down and looks at the kinkier side of Frankenstein on film.
Last week, to celebrate the impending release of the big-budget monster-making movie VICTOR FRANKENSTEIN, SHOCK stitched together a list of 5 Frankenstein flicks that, when it came to capturing the essence of Mary Shelleys landmark novel, failed miserably. You can read that list HERE.
This week, we take a look at the sexier, skankier side of Frankenstein on film. Undo your belt a notch and relax…
The very nature of the Frankenstein story lends itself to kink. Its a story of obsession, of madness; of domination, submission and narcissism; of clandestine rituals of necrophila-tinted body-snatching and flesh-sculpting. So it makes sense to see a strain of cinema that trades in the dirtier side of the tale, exploiting people’s lust for the taboo and delivering the rough stuff with spurting, sanguinary glee.
The following list is by no means definitive. Rather it is a selection of five of our favorite Frankie Gets Freaky flicks that really electrified our organs.
Have a look
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vEQrgVrId8Y
HORROR OF FRANKENSTEIN (1970)
As Hammer Studios changed guards and tried to re-invent themselves for a more explicitly inclined decade, HORROR OF FRANKENSTEIN was their bid to both re-boot their Frankenstein franchise and continue their (mostly unsuccessful) grooming of actor Ralph Bates as their new Peter Cushing. HORROR OF FRANKENSTEIN is essentially a campy, cruel and naughtier version of CURSE OF FRANKENSTEIN and, as such, has long received a bum rap from Hammer and Frankenstein fans alike. But theres so much to savor in this Jimmy Sangster-directed sleaze opera, especially when viewing it as the black comedy it most certainly is. Bates spoiled, arrogant and sociopathic Baron sleeps around, kills without conscience and, when his homicidal, blasphemous experiments flunk out, he just kind of shrugs it all off. Dirty, rough and tons of fun.
LADY FRANKENSTEIN (1971)
Roger Corman threw some dough at this Italian exploitation gem (released via his New World imprint) that rarely gets the dues it deserves. Directed by Mel Welles, a regular Corman actor who most will remember for his turn as Mushnick in Cormans LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, this beautifully designed, ultra-Gothic horror gem stars Joseph Cotton as the good Baron who leaves his lab and lifes work to his buxom daughter Tania Frankenstein, played by the great Sara Bay aka Rosalba Neri (THE DEVILS WEDDING NIGHT). BLOODY PIT OF HORROR legend Mickey Hargitay also shows up in this lively, erotic, leering and atmospheric flick (with a great score by Allesandro Allesandroni) that ultimately serves as a showcase for Neris ample attributes and earthy sexuality. And dig that wild final sex scene!
FLESH FOR FRANKENSTEIN (aka ANDY WARHOLS FRANKENSTEIN, 1973)
Director Paul Morrissey (with help from Italian legend Antonio Margheriti, though the jury is still out as to how much help) helmed this operatically sexual and perverse 3D trash masterpiece whose campy, lurid leer pumps up against rich production design, gorgeous photography and a sumptuous Claudio Gizzi score. Udo Kier gives his signature performance as the humorless (and therefore hilarious) necrophiliac Baron Frankenstein, who fist-fucks his female creation while making a superman creature and pontificating loudly to his perverted assistant (Arno Juerging). The Warhol connection came from the film getting Andys blessing, seeing as both Morrissey and cast member Joe Dallessandro (who is fantastically wooden – in every sense – as a seemingly lost Brooklyn stud) were borrowed from his Factory; otherwise this Carlo Ponti production is pure Eurotrash gold. A must see in 3D, with Kiers spleen dripping onto your lap and male and female parts thrusting from the screen.
FRANKENSTEIN: ITALIAN STYLE (1975)
Jenny Tamburi, the lovely lass from many an Italian sexploitation flick (and so memorable in Rino Di Silverstros WOMEN IN CELL BLOCK 7) is the sexiest thing about this ultra-tacky and sleazy sex comedy/horror flick. In it, the good Baron builds a beast with, you guessed it, a really big penis. And when the monster gets loose he really gets LOOSE! Absolutely an attempt to capture the absurd humor of Mel Brooks YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN, FRANKENSTEIN: ITALIAN STYLE is shot in color, with a goofy looking monster that looks like late-period Elvis crossed with Karloff and plenty of goofy, kinky sex and female nudity. Interestingly, the films German title is CASSANOVA FRANKENSTEIN, which is the name of Geoffrey Rushs villain from the film MYSTERY MEN.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P-MzBDRAb1k
FUCKENSTEIN (2012)
Conceptual punk/porn Princess and entrepreneur Joanna Angel is, er, behind this colorfully titled XXX flick, a harder-than-core porno that is rendered in black and white and boasts for porn handsome costume design. Of course, said costumes dont stay on long as Baron Frankenstein (adult actor James Deen) builds a stud-monster to double-penetrate his insatiable wife (Angel). Plenty of penetration of all sorts ensues, though viewers may quickly lose interest. Then suddenly get interested again. Then once more lose interest. Then regain that interest and well, its a porno. You get it.
Honorable Mention: THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW (1075)
No nudity to speak of, but this ribald musical, the ultimate cult film, is a send up Hammers Frankenstein films (especially during its dynamic creation scene) by way of 50’s drive-in culture romp. Its the Frankenstein mythos represented as a gender-bending, rock and roll romp and , despite its pop-culture over-saturation, it’s still a cheeky, imaginative and important kinky delight.
Feel free to fill in the spaces below with YOUR favorite “Kinky Frankenstein” flicks!
