Mary Shelley's Frankenhole is an American adult stop motion-animated television series created by Dino Stamatopoulos for Cartoon Network's late night programming block Adult Swim. The series premiered on June 27, 2010, and ended on March 25, 2012, with a total of 20 episodes, over the course of 2 seasons.
Contents
Premise
Dr. Victor Frankenstein has completely mastered immortality and has now also created an infinite number of Einstein–Rosen Bridges (wormholes) or "Frankenholes" between Somewhere in Eastern Europe (which is teeming with monsters and supernatural forces) and every time period from the past and the future. This allows historical figures and celebrities seeking the doctor's services to find him. Although many classic horror monsters are present, the series' main focus is Dr. Frankenstein and his family. Creator Dino Stamatopoulos says "regular human beings are the monsters."
Besides Dr. Frankenstein himself, other characters from Mary Shelley's 1818 novel Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus appear.
Characters
Dr. Victor Frankenstein (voiced by Jeff B. Davis) is an immortal genius mad scientist. He "doesn't like anyone," wears a lab coat and has red hair. He is a sadomasochist (auto eroticism such as burning his crotch, shooting himself below the waist, etc.) and is opposed to the idea of regular sex, especially with his wife, who uses his fetish to her advantage by bribing him with genital mutilation. He had a troubled relationship with his father since his dying wish was to not be brought back to life. He begins work at midnight for "creditability." Since he never gave the immortality serum to his sons, they continue to age while Victor and Elizabeth stay youthful.
Professor Sanguinaire Polidori (voiced by Scott Adsit) is the immortal assistant and partner of Victor. He is tall, has white hair and wears a lab coat. He sometimes acts as a conscience for Frankenstein, but is often quiet (playing into his supporting cast role). Often a voice of reason, "Polly Dolly" (as Frankenstein calls him) has a soft spot for the sinister. He insists they revive Frankenstein's father so they can beat him up, drinks poison, and often has a disdainful tone in his voice. Polidori has been Frankenstein's assistant for quite some time; he was already immortal when Frankenstein and Elizabeth were first married (in fact, Polidori was the one who married them). When bringing patients into Frankenstein's lab, it is said that he gives Frankenstein creepy introductions. He is based on Doctor Septimus Pretorius from Bride of Frankenstein. His name is based upon author John Polidori, a friend of Mary Shelley and Lord Byron's physician.
Elizabeth Frankenstein (voiced by Britta Phillips) is Victor's immortal wife. She tries to act motherly but is sexually starved and is having an affair with Count Dracula, although she does this to try to make Victor jealous. She is often at odds with her husband and lover, often expressing displeasure over the little time Victor devotes to the family due to working from midnight forward. Victor secretly gave Elizabeth the immortality serum without her knowing about it when she married Victor's childhood friend Henry Clerval, and never asked to be immortal. When she did finally give into his obsessive demands to marry her, he instantly became bored. This is the reason for their faulted relationship. Her demands to have more children are ironically stymied by Victor's endeavours to create life.
Count Dracula (voiced by Chris Shearer) is Victor's rival who is having an affair with Elizabeth, with hopes of turning her into a vampire. He often argues with Victor, usually belittling Elizabeth in the process. He is known to be politically correct during his arguments with Frankenstein. Dracula usually exits a scene turning into a bat.
Episodes
Season 1 (2010)
Episodes in the first season were requested to air out of order by the series creator, Dino Stamatopolous, following the show's theme that all time takes place at once and is meaningless.
Season 2 (2012)
Season two episodes are titled in commemoration of famous writers and poets of classic science fiction.
International broadcast
In Canada, Mary Shelley's Frankenhole previously aired on G4's Adult Digital Distraction block.
Home media
Every episode, with the exception of "Mother To Be-Sa", is available for digital purchase on iTunes, Google Play, Amazon Video and Microsoft.
The show was available to stream for free on Tubi.