Billy Frankenstein (1998) User Reviews

Billy Frankenstein

[BandSAboutMovies · 4/10 · 22 May 2022]

Billy Frank (Jordan Lamoureux) is a very distant relative of Dr. Victor Frankenstein. Bloodstone (Peter Spellos) dreams of bringing that mad scientist's greatest creation back to life. He invites Billy and his family to move into their ancestral castle hoping that he can help him say, "It's alive!" all over again.

Constable Frogg (John Maynard) has a different ancestry. The Froggs are known for stopping the Frankenstein Monster. He's been hired by Otto (Vernon Wells!) and Fraulein von Sloane (Griffin Drew) to frighten the Franks into selling, all so he can build a mall.

Directed by Fred Olen Ray and written by his wife at the time Kimberly, this is a family-friendly horror movie for kids who are afraid of monsters. Former Disney and American-International Pictures star Tommy Kirk shows up as a monk, so that's kind of neat.

cute, family fun, enjoyable monster movie for kids, Halloween fun

[writingguylx · 9 March 2001]

I recommend this film for families who would enjoy a monster movie but don't want their kids to see violence and gore. Adults, as well as kids, will be entertained by this light-hearted comedy. My own children thoroughly enjoyed it. It was fun to see Tommy Kirk of "Old Yeller" and "Swiss Family Robinson" fame. The boy who plays Billy was very cute and turned in a fine performance. We recognized Vernon Wells from the "Mad Max" movies. And the Frankenstein monster was a delight: funny, sweet and sensitive rather than scary and threatening.

A Real Hoot!

[m-p-driscoll · 10/10 · 19 March 2008]

Very pleasantly surprised at how good this film was. Great acting, super musical score, wonderfully tacky sets, even the continuity was on the mark. A lot of nice little touches too, like "Cream of Veet" instead of "Cream of Wheat" on the castle kitchen counter. It's hard to find a kid's film that the entire family will enjoy, but this is it! My favorite part was the seedy/needy vendors of all things Frankenstein and their mumbled entreaties to anyone and everyone. Watched this to catch a fleeting glimpse of the lovely Vanessa Koman in one of her few film roles (a big fan) but came away loving it all. Laugh-out-loud funny!