Frankenhooker
| Frankenhooker | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Directed by | Frank Henenlotter |
| Produced by | James Glickenhaus |
| Written by |
Robert "Bob" Martin Frank Henenlotter |
| Starring |
James Lorinz Patty Mullen Louise Lasser |
| Music by | Joe Renzetti |
| Cinematography | Robert M. Baldwin |
| Edited by | Kevin Tent |
Production company |
Levins-Henenlotter |
| Distributed by | Shapiro-Glickenhaus Entertainment |
Release dates |
|
Running time | 85 minutes |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $2.5 million |
Frankenhooker is a 1990 American black comedy horror directed by Frank Henenlotter. Very loosely inspired by Mary Shelley's novel Frankenstein, the film stars James Lorinz as medical school drop-out Jeffrey Franken and former Penthouse Pet Patty Mullen as the title character (who wears a fatsuit in the beginning of the film).
Plot
After his attractive fiancée is cut into pieces in a freak accident involving a lawnmower, aspiring mad scientist Jeffrey Franken is determined to put her back together again. He sets about reassembling his girlfriend using parts from a variety of New York prostitutes. However, his bizarre plan goes awry when his reanimated girlfriend no longer wants just him, but for money will take on anybody, and afterwards try to kill them.
Cast
- James Lorinz as Jeffrey Franken
- Patty Mullen as Elizabeth Shelley
- Joanne Ritchie as Mrs. Shelley
- Paul-Felix Montez as Goldie
- Joseph Gonzalez as Zorro the Pimp
- J.J. Clark as Mr. Shelley
- Greg Martin as Rufus McClure
- Carissa Channing as Dolores
- Shirl Bernheim as Elizabeth's Grandmother
- Helmar Augustus Cooper as Detective Anderson
- Louise Lasser as Jeffrey's Mother
- Charlotte J. Helmkamp as Honey
- Lia Chang as Crystal
- Kimberly Taylor as Amber
- Shirley Stoler as Spike the Bartender
Release
Frankenhooker's initial release was delayed because of difficulty obtaining an R rating from the MPAA; the director recalls that one representative of the ratings body actually said, in a phone call to the production company's secretary, "Congratulations, you're the first film rated S." And she said, "S? For sex?" And they said, "No, S for shit."[1] To his dismay, Henenlotter's conservative parents insisted on attending the film's premier in New York City; Henenlotter expressed surprise that they were not offended by the exploitative elements.[2]
Reception
Variety wrote, "Frankenhooker is a grisly, grotesque horror comedy recommended only for the stout of heart and strong of stomach."[3] Vincent Canby of The New York Times wrote that "there is a legitimate sense of the absurd lurking within Frank Henenlotter's Frankenhooker" but it is "overshadowed by special effects" and elements that recall soft-core pornography.[4] Kevin Thomas of the Los Angeles Times called it a "hilarious, totally outrageous grin-and-gore comedy".[5]
See also
References
- ↑ Bett, Alan (2013-05-10). "Exploitation: An Interview with Frank Henenlotter". The Skinny. Retrieved 2014-09-18.
- ↑ Thompson, Tristan (2013-05-31). "The Monster Movie Memories of a Brain-Damaged Basket Case: In conversation with Frank Henenlotter". Fangoria. Retrieved 2014-09-18.
- ↑ "Review: 'Frankenhooker'". Variety. 1990. Retrieved 2014-09-18.
- ↑ Canby, Vincent (1990-06-15). "Frankenhooker (1990)". The New York Times. Retrieved 2014-09-18.
- ↑ Thomas, Kevin (1990-06-01). "MOVIE REVIEW : 'Frankenhooker': A Fun Slice of American Gothic". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2014-09-18.
External links
- Frankenhooker at the Internet Movie Database
- Frankenhooker at AllMovie
- Frankenhooker at Rotten Tomatoes
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