Review: Behind the Castle Doors: The Origin of the Hilarious House of Frightenstein
Review: Behind the Castle Doors: The Origin of the Hilarious House of Frightenstein
(2025) Directed by Morgan Baker & Tammy Heisel
There has been a growing trend to embrace vintage Canadian children’s television, and it’s long overdue. Whether it’s through film, podcast, book, or clothing line, these programs are part of our collective cultural heritage, with their rich characters and backstories; they deserve more celebration. I mean we grew up with a giant, a giraffe and a chicken playing smooth jazz and we don’t talk about it.
The latest film on this subject is VERY close to my heart as it’s not only part of my childhood, but I have truly never stopped watching it. Like SCTV or Rocket Robin Hood, the Hilarious House of Frightenstein has been on in the background throughout my timeline, and I’m not alone. For decades, it’s been a “secret handshake” everyone seems to know Brucie, Igor, Grizelda or the Wolfman.
“Behind the Castle Doors: The Origin of the Hilarious House of Frightenstein” tells the story of the Markowitz brothers, Riff and Mitch, who created an enduring phenomenon that turned kids like me onto classic horror, Newtonian physics, animal facts, and an appreciation for subversive comedy.
Crafted in 1971 in Hamilton, Ontario, the show capitalized on the 60s monster craze and counterculture, blending equal parts “Sesame Street” and “Rowan and Martin’s Laugh-In,” and it somehow just worked.
Thanks to Canadian Content laws, the slightly subversive show ran constantly, and by the time I discovered it, it was likely 4 years old. I watched it in high school and even in college when Showcase brought it back. It’s humour, which was not exclusively for kids, grew with the audience.
Behind the Castle Doors: The Origin of The Hilarious House of Frightenstein
Filmmakers Baker and Heisel document the show’s origins with interviews with both Markowitz brothers (Riff sadly passed away recently, but had seen the final film) and the remaining members of the show’s writing staff, as they discuss the origins of this classic (low-budget) Canadian kids’ show.
The stories are rich, including the brothers promising Vincent Price without actually knowing how to get him, having to fire the first Count, the breakneck schedule and never actually getting the music rights to all the songs the Wolfman dances to ( I can’t hear “Jumpin’ Jack Flash” without thinking of K-Eech radio.)
While the show’s biggest name is Vincent Price (who did his spots in a weekend marathon session), the show’s biggest star is the incredibly talented man who embodied the series, the amazing Billy Van, who played most of the characters with an unnatural glee.
It’s no surprise that Van is the heart of the show and of this film; it’s a shame he didn’t live to see these accolades. However, the documentary shines by telling the behind-the-scenes stories about Van, a trooper who worked tirelessly, but man, he did not like snakes.
The film is peppered with recollections and hilarious anecdotes from crew members and fans who were influenced by the series, whether to get into comedy like Dave Foley or to become a scientist; the show had a significant impact.
What the movie does well is showcase the show’s biggest fan and champion, Mitch Markowitz, who played “Super Hippy” on the original series. Mitch has been enjoying the con circuit in Canada, talking to fans, sharing his stories about these crazy days. I’ve been the recipient of Mitch’s kindness over the years, and he’s just as genuine off-screen.
There are no real horrors or monsters in “Behind the Castle Doors: The Origin of the Hilarious House of Frightenstein.” It’s an honest love letter to a wonderful bit of our childhood, the 7 am staple of Saturday morning. The Wolfman is still dancing on streaming services like Tubi, the music has changed but the spirit is still there, may it inspire new generations with it’s beloved weirdness.
Here is the film’s Facebook page.
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