Frankenweenie

Frankenweenie is a 1984 American science fiction comedy horror featurette directed by Tim Burton and written by him and Leonard Ripps. It is both a parody and homage to the 1931 film Frankenstein based on Mary Shelley's 1818 novel Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus. Burton later directed a feature-length stop-motion animated remake, released in 2012. Plot Victor Frankenstein is a young boy who creates movies starring his dog, Sparky (a Bull Terrier, whose name is a reference to the use of electricity in the film). After Sparky is hit by a car and killed, Victor learns at school about electrical impulses in muscles and is inspired to bring his pet back to life. He creates elaborate machines in his attic which brings down a bolt of lightning that revives the dog. Victor is pleased, but when the Frankensteins decide to introduce the revitalized Sparky to his neighbors, they become angry and terrified. Sparky runs away, with Victor in pursuit. They find themselves at a local miniature golf course and hide in its flagship windmill. The Frankensteins' neighbors, now an angry mob, arrive on the scene, and when they attempt to use a cigarette lighter to try to see into the windmill, it is accidentally set on fire. Victor falls and is knocked out, but Sparky rescues him from the flames, only to be crushed by the burning windmill. The neighbors, realizing their error, use their cars and jumper cables to "recharge" Sparky. He is revived, and all celebrate. Sparky falls in love with a poodle whose fur bears a strong resemblance to the hairdo of the Bride of Frankenstein and the film ends with Sparky's electricity making the words, "The End" and it becomes still. Cast Barret Oliver as Victor Frankenstein, a young boy expert in science who is sad after his dog's death. Shelley Duvall as Susan Frankenstein, Victor's mother. Daniel Stern as Ben Frankenstein, Victor's father. Joseph Maher as Mr. Chambers Roz Braverman as Mrs. Epstein Paul Bartel as Mr. Walsh Sofia Coppola as Anne Chambers Jason Hervey as Frank Dale Paul C. Scott as Mike Anderson Helen Boll as Mrs. Curtis Rusty James as Raymond Sparky as Himself: Victor's dog. He dies and gets reanimated by Victor.