Andy Warhol’s Frankenstein released March 17, 1974

Andy Warhol’s Frankenstein is a 1973 horror film directed by Paul Morrissey and produced by Andy Warhol, Andrew Braunsberg, Louis Peraino, and Carlo Ponti. Starring Udo Kier, Joe Dallesandro, Monique van Vooren and Arno Juerging, and filmed in the famous Cinecittà by a crew of Italian master filmmakers, Andy Warhol’s Frankenstein is suffused with the crumbling glamour of old Italian films, paying homage to (while simultaneously parodying) the earnest and stark visual and psychological beauty of the horror films on which it is based. Morrissey’s sense of ironic detachment gives the film a gruesomely comic modernity and beauty all its own.

In the United States, the film was marketed as Andy Warhol’s Frankenstein, and was presented in the Space-Vision 3-D process in premiere engagements. It was rated X by the MPAA, due to its explicit sexuality and violence. A 3-D version also played in Australia in 1986, along with Blood for Dracula, an obvious pairing. In the seventies a 3-D version played in Stockholm, Sweden. In subsequent US DVD releases, the film was retitled Flesh for Frankenstein, while the original title was used in other regions.

The film was later cut to 93 minutes for an R-rating, thereby increasing its ability to be screened in more theaters. The U.S. DVD releases have utilized the full uncut version, which is now unrated. The film had its television premiere in the United Kingdom on November 17, 2009 and was broadcast in 3D as part of Channel 4′s 3D Week.

Trivia:

• Originally filmed in 3D, although most presentations found today are in 2D.
• While some Italian prints give second unit director Antonio Margheriti credit as co-director, Udo Kier has stated that Margheriti had nothing to do with directing the movie.
• Both this film and Dracula cerca sangue di vergine… e morì di sete!!! (1974) shared many of the same sets and the same principal cast (Joe Dallesandro, Udo Kier, and Arno Juerging).

Tagged with: gruesomely comic modernity • horror film • horror films • ironic detachment • Italian master filmmakers • Joe Dallesandro • Louis Peraino • Monique van Vooren • Morrissey's sense • old Italian films • original title • other regions • paying homage • premiere engagements • produced by • R rating • rated X by the MPAA • retitled Flesh for Frankenstein • screened • simultaneously parodying • Space-Vision 3-D process • stark visual and psychological beauty • Starring • Stockholm • subsequent US DVD releases • suffused • Sweden • television premiere • the earnest • the famous Cinecittà • The film • theaters • U.S. DVD • Udo Kier • United Kingdom • United States • unrated

Filed under: Horror

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