Monster of the Day #487

Our week of monsters banding together to fight evil concludes with two similar TV examples. Just as Land of the Lost and Valley of the Dinosaurs were basically cartoon / live action Saturday morning kiddie versions of each other, so were Monster Squad (with future Love Boat co-star and then Congressman Fred Grandy) and Drac Pack.

  • Remember the live action version, but never saw the cartoon.

  • Ericb

    So Frankenstein’s monster became a hippie in the 70s?

  • MrTongoRad

    Yup, right about the same time that Wolfman became a germophobe and started wearing mittens everywhere.

  • bgbear_rogerh

    I think he also married Sally Simpson about that time.  

  • Ericb

    The animated Dracula seems to have joined Kiss.

  • MrTongoRad

    I heard that he was angling for Dave Vanian’s job, actually.

  • Flangepart

    And Frank’s beck bolts have migrated to his forehead. Simplifies getting a jump start, eh?

  • Wasn’t there yet another cartoon of a similar nature in the 70’s? Maybe an actual animated version of The Monster Squad? (I wasn’t there, alas.)

  • The Groovy Ghoulies! That was it! Pop talks about it from time to time!

  • Ken_Begg

     Yes, Groovie Ghoulies was a spin-off of Sabrina the Teenage Witch, and thus tied into the Archie universe. There is a DVD of the show, but not an entire season or anything.

    Amazing, the entire run (one year, I imagine) of Drac Pack appears to be available on disc.

    Personally, I’m waiting for the Banana Splits to become available.

    Also, the run of Wacky Races is available on Amazon now for $12! That show really holds up.

  • Marsden

    I like Wacky Races and Banana Splits!   Sometimes before things like the internet and Cartoon Network I thought I dreamed it.  I liked the one with Dick Dastardly and Mutley chasing that pigeon with the satchel, too. 

  • zombiewhacker

    Ah, the Banana Splits.  Loved the theme song.  Also the Jan Michael Vincent/Rockne Tarkington live action segment.  What was it called, Danger Island or something?  I remember it was directed by Richard Donner, years before he made his name directing The Omen, Superman, and the Lethal Weapon movies.

  • Ken_Begg

     “Uh, oh, Chongo!”

    Wouldn’t be surprised if the natives like the Skeleton Men were part of the reason these have never hit DVD.