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Frankenstein Meets the Space Monster is a 1965 science-fiction film about a damaged humanlike robot and an alien plan to abduct women from Earth. Despite its title, the film is not presented in the American Film Institute’s catalog as a Frankenstein story: its Frankenstein-like figure is the robot, Colonel Saunders, and the catalog synopsis names no Dr. Frankenstein.
What is Frankenstein Meets the Space Monster about?
According to the American Film Institute (AFI) catalog, Dr. Adam Steele has created a humanlike robot named Colonel Saunders. An alien spacecraft damages the robot, while the visitors plan to capture women from Earth for breeding. The title promises a familiar monster crossover, but the catalog’s plot description instead centers on a robot caught up in an invasion plot.
Is Frankenstein in the movie?
The title can suggest that Dr. Frankenstein appears or that the film belongs to a Frankenstein franchise. AFI’s synopsis does not identify Dr. Frankenstein as a character. The comparison is better understood as a reference to the robot’s artificial, Frankenstein-like nature, rather than evidence of a direct meeting with Frankenstein.
Who made the film?
AFI identifies Robert Gaffney as director and credits George Garrett, John Rodenbeck, and R. H. W. Dillard as writers. Robert McCarty produced it; Saul Midwall was cinematographer, and Laverne Keating edited it. Vernon Films and Seneca Productions are listed as production companies.
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- Year and country: 1965, United States
- Language and runtime: English; 78 minutes in the AFI catalog
- Estimated budget: $85,000, an estimate listed by AFI rather than a verified final cost
AFI also lists Frankenstein Meets the Spaceman, Frankenstein Meets the Spacemonster, and Mars Invades Puerto Rico as alternate titles. The last title reflects the film’s invasion premise and Puerto Rico’s place in its production history.
Where and when was it filmed?
AFI’s account traces a changing production plan. In February 1964, New York-based producers Alan V. Iselin and Del Tenney announced the film as part of a proposed horror double feature with Voodoo Blood Death, also known as Curse of the Voodoo. Early plans called for Florida locations and Miami studio interiors. Later trade-paper reporting recorded filming in Puerto Rico under Iselin’s Futurama Productions, in association with Seneca Productions.
AFI gives November–December 1964 as the production-date range, but its chronology also describes earlier planning and reports. That range should not be taken to mean that every stage of production took place during those two months. AFI further relays a 1986 Newsday interview in which cast member James Karen, crew members Lawrence Bertram and Daniel O’Brien, and makeup artist John Alese recalled that interior spaceship scenes were filmed on two sound stages in a Hempstead, New York, studio that had once housed the New York National Guard.
When was it released?
The film’s recorded dates refer to separate events, not necessarily conflicting release information. AFI says it debuted at the Science-Fiction Film Festival in Trieste in mid-July 1965, citing a July 14 Variety report. The catalog records an Ohio release on September 22, 1965, followed by a Los Angeles release on January 12, 1966.
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Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Where can you watch or buy it?
Listings checked for this article show two possible routes: digital rental or purchase through the film’s Prime Video page, and a physical DVD offered through Orbit DVD. Prime Video also identifies DVD as another format. Orbit DVD’s listing was indexed as backordered; that does not establish current stock.
| Option | What the listing establishes | What to check before ordering |
|---|---|---|
| Digital rental or purchase | Prime Video lists rental and purchase options. | Whether either option is currently available in your territory, along with its current price and playback terms. |
| DVD | Prime Video identifies DVD as a format, and Orbit DVD has a product page. | Current stock, seller, edition, region compatibility, price, and shipping details. |
These listings are not guarantees of availability everywhere or in the future. Check the service or seller directly before relying on a price, format, or stock status. The AFI runtime is 78 minutes; retail metadata may differ, so consult the specific edition’s listing if runtime matters. The available listings do not establish edition-specific picture quality or bonus features.
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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