From the wonderfully wicked minds of Rankin/ Bass (Rudolph and Frosty) comes this classic animated Halloween feature I was so happy to be able to recently rediscover. Released on VHS from Classic Media (why no DVD?) Mad Mad Mad Monsters is a simply awesome animated monster special. Those looking for a kitsch fix and parents alike will enjoy this horror holiday treat.

Mad Scientist Dr. Frankenstein has just created the perfect woman for his monster, a bride. What's a Mad Scientist to do? Why plan a wedding, of course! First things first, invitations. The invite list includes such special guests as The Invisible Man (and family), Creature from the Black Lagoon, Mummy, Dracula and the Wolfman. Once the invitations are delivered (by one unlucky mailman mind you) everyone makes their plans to attend the gala event. There's only one slight problem. Igor is insanely jealous of The Monster and wants the bride for himself, because as we all know "Cake good...girl better!" Once the guests arrive and are ready to party, Igor's jealousy consumes him so he kidnaps the bride. Will the Monster ever get his bride back? Will the mailman be able to escape therapy? Will the Invisible Man's nagging wife (Nagatha) ever cut him some slack? You'll have to spend some time with the Mad Mad Mad Monsters to find out the answers to all of these questions... and more!

Mad Mad Mad Monsters remains as wonderful today as it ever has. The great classic animation of the 70's is always a treat to an old timer like me, not to mention the incredible character voices. Is it me or do many of the cartoon voices of today lack a certain quality present in the cartoons of yesteryear? I love the spooky settings and characters and all of the sight gags and puns still brought a smile to my face. It's great to see this level of intelligent (as well as silly) comedy that will appeal to both adults and kids.

Mad Mad Mad Monsters looks about as good on VHS as one could expect. There are really only minimal amounts of print damage present and some slight grain. Audio sounds fine as well with clear dialogue and really no distortion to speak of.

As we all know extras on VHS are almost always non-existent, but in the case of Mad Mad Mad Monsters there is a slight bonus. I'm not talking about an extra on the actual tape, but one that slid out of the box with the tape... A sheet of temporary Mad Mad Monsters tattoos! Noyce!

I don't see a release of this title on DVD anytime in the near future so for now VHS will have to do. Those of us who grew up on specials like this will most certainly want to pick this title up. Parents and kids alike can also enjoy the wonderful Mad Mad Mad Monsters together as well. Complete with Anchor Bay's Mad Monster Party DVD, you can have one hell of a double feature!