| | | | Frankenweenie
(1984) |
hat do you get when you mix a precocious ten-year old kid, some electricity, and a dead Bull Terrior named Sparky? Why, Frankenweenie of course! Join director Tim Burton on his first film ever which set the stage for his many bizarre but lovable films to follow.
Running only twenty-seven minutes long, Frankenweenie is a remake of the classic film Frankenstein, except this film incorporates a dog and ends much more pleasently than the prior.
Victor Frankenstein, played by Barret Oliver, is an aspiring film maker who makes horror home videos, staring his obedient pooch Sparky, to show to his parents (Shelley Duvall & Daniel Stern) who immediately praise him on his creativity.
While Victor is playing catch with Sparky, the ball goes out into the street, and Sparky inevitably is hit and killed by an oncoming car.
Victor is devestated, but not for long. His science teacher explains to his class that with electricity, even a dead animal can "come alive". Victor gets a huge grin on his face, and with wheels turning in his head, he returns home.
After going to pick up Sparkys body from the pet cemetary, Victor reanimates him in a makeshift laboratory on his roof and Sparky is officially back and more playful than ever. Of course he's covered in stitches and bolts, but he's so adorable they can be overlooked.
The neighborhood, however, is not so pleased to see him. They become hysterical, swearing Sparkys a monster, and it takes Sparky saving Victors life to proove to the neighborhood that he is not a monster but a hero.
This film is short but sweet, and perhaps before its time. It was filmed in black and white, and although it's from the 80's you would never know it by watching the film. It could easily pass for one of Tim Burtons more recent films.
It's cute, original, and short so there's no reason not to watch this film written by Lenny Ripps which stars a dog whose "magnetic" personality made him a real "live-wire".
 Don't forget that Frankenweenie is now available to order on DVD using our special 80s Retro Assistant...
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In this, Tim Burtons first film, the Burton theme of misfits being hounded by the outside world is evident and well done. Burton did an excellent job at making this film appear to be from the 50's, similar to his work on "Ed Wood".
A must see for Burton fans as well as fans of Barret Oliver and Sofia Coppola, who was very young in this film.
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Tim Burton's trademark is dogs, Victors dog, Sparky is hit by a car but later brought back to life. 
Tim Burton's first film credit for Disney was his animation work on "The Fox and the Hound" which he is unmentioned in the film's credits. Eventually, he was allowed slightly more personal freedom and Disney agreed to let him do his first two films, "Vincent" and "Frankenweenie" which they later deemed inappropriate for children. These two films are now available on the same 10th anniversery edition of Burton's masterpiece "The Nightmare Before Christmas." -Thanks to Sarah Troiano
Tim Burton has written two books: "The Nightmare Before Christmas" and "The Melancholy Death of Oyster Boy & Other Stories". Tim Burton dedicated "Oyster Boy" to his girlfriend Lisa Marie.
Tim Burton has also directed "Batman", "Beetlejuice", "Ed Wood", "Edward Scissorhands", "Mars Attacks", "Pee Wee's Big Adventure" and others.
The same year Barret Oliver starred in Frankenweenie, he starred in "The Neverending Story". Both were from 1984.
Barret Oliver was actually a pretty talented child actor , he appeared in "D.A.R.Y.L.", "Cocoon" and "Cocoon: the returns" but after that, pretty much disappeared. He kind of needs a "Henry Thomas" come-back. Barret, we miss you! -Thanks to Vince
Writer Leonard Ripps also wrote scripts for the t.v. shows "Full House" and "Bosom Buddies".
Frankenweenie was deemed unsuitable for children and was never released in theaters.
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Rediscover your favorites! If you like
Frankenweenie or 80's Family Fun classics, then be sure to
check out this list: ..... Annie ..... Labyrinth ..... E.T. ..... Dark Crystal ..... Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court ..... Goonies ..... NeverEnding Story ..... Who Framed Roger Rabbit ..... Wizard ..... Dragon That Wasn't (Or Was He?) ..... Savannah Smiles ..... Ratboy ..... Santa Claus: The Movie ..... Explorers .....[More]
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|  |  |  | | Frankenweenie
Locations |
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We don't know the shooting locations used for the filming of Frankenweenie... 
Can you help? Do you know any of the filming locations used for Frankenweenie? [Please send them in]
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Comments: Only available on Tim Burton's "The Nightmare Before Christmas - Special Edition" DVD |
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| Our
Comments: Only available on Tim Burton's "The Nightmare Before Christmas - Special Edition" DVD |
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Since this film is so short there is not an official soundtrack. The original score was composed by Michael Convertino and David Newman.
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Soundtrack Available:
Never On Any Format
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