Interview with Frankie Cullen

- written June 12th, 2010





- Frankie Cullen is the star of "Bikini Frankenstein". Anyone looking for more info on Frankie or his films, can visit him at his IMDB page.











Q: Frankie, can you explain how you first got into the movie business?


          A: It was a loooong time ago back in NYC. I had a couple of girls I knew bring me on the set of the movie SOAPDISH to do extra work, n we had a blast. I was so enamored about the entire production, acting, directing, stage set up, etc…. I then did a few films in Atlanta, n finally decided to go all the way and come to LA. Playboy had approached me after seeing some of my fitness work, about doing an episode of SEXY URBAN LEGENDS….the rest is history…










Q: Would you please explain your acting role in "Bikini Frankenstein."


          A: I get to play Dr. Frankenstein. A mad scientist that wants to bring the dead back to life. After being kicked out from a University in America, I go back to Transylvania to perfect my work. With the help of a little lightning, n my hot assistant, I bring this sexy stripper back to life, yet she has an unusual appetite for sex. I bring her back to America, to rub her in my ex colleague's faces….literally!










Q: Knowing how movie reviews may skew the perception of one's product, give us in your own words what you want people to know about the film.


          A: First of all its always a blast to work with Fred Olen Ray. While I know some of the NOOKIE scenes are hot, People don’t realize how much we are laughing on set in n out of takes. Such a great crew and I think we all work well together. The tough part when doing low-budget, is that we do an entire film in 3 days. Crazy!.....If we had the time big productions have, you would see a lot of talented acting, directing, etc….I really like Bikini Frankenstein. If awards were giving out in this genre, I think Brandin Rackley would have won in a landslide for her work as my assistant. She was so like Terri Garr in the classic Young Frankenstein. The stage set-ups n CGI look great, n while there is a lot of T and A, the story is quite funny n entertaining.


Q: If there were one part of the filming that was more difficult than you expected, what would that be? Getting a costume to work? Appearing in a certain scene? Certain lines?


          A: Well some of the dialogue in the beginning was a bit tongue twisting as it was more technical scientific terms that you wouldn’t use in everyday life. I think the funny thing on set was doing a scene with the actor n good bud, Ted Newsome. While he was off screen n the cameras were on me doing my single, he was to be reading his lines with me n staying close to camera for my eyeline, yet he was holding the script. So when I would get to do my lines back, he would be reading, mouthing my lines and I could see him. He was completely screwing me up. It was sooo funny. If we had cameras on him, it would have been in the bloopers reel….it’s always an enjoyment to watch Fred yell at Ted….. All in good fun that is.


Q: Looking back, I see that you’ve also appeared in a few films. Can you tell me a little about each film and your experience with it? First, “Twilight Vamps.”


          A: We shot Twilight Vamps (Lust at first bite) at the same time we did Bikini Frankenstein. I was working back n forth non stop, that a few times I would forget who I was. Thank God, for such a great wardrobe n make-up crew. They help make life so much easier. Again I’m working with Brandin n Christine, so that’s always fun. I think we have great chemistry together. My good friend, Todd Senafonte is now becoming my new partner in crime on all of these films, and I really think the closer you are with the other actors, the better the scenes are. In the film, I get screwed over by him for the big promotion, my money bleeding girl turns out to be a lesbian, n of course the new girl I finally get some action with, is a Vampire, not to mention I have Ted Newsome as the annoying and clueless detective trying to pin a murder on me…..In the end my lucky rabbits foot turns out to have a lil magic of its own. Does my luck finally turn around?


Q: How about “Cleavagefield”?


          A: Ahh working with Jim Wynorski. He is like family now, ya never know what you are going to get on his films, except for lots of Cleavage…LOL….This was a 1rst for me, as I was behind camera most of the time, n had to keep running behind the camera guy so I could say my lines with the girls n keep eye-line for them. This was a lot of fun. I really want to get into directing. It was challenging reacting to a monster that wasn’t really there, as it was all CGI. Most of my lines were done in the studio. Once again it was another fun cast n crew, that are usually the things I miss most when we are done.


Q: How about “Vampire in Vegas”?


          A: This was a thrill, because I got to work with the Great Tony Todd. If ever there was a voice meant for Horror, Tony is the man. Such a great guy as well. As for the film, it’s similar to a low budget Dusk til Dawn. The original name was DEVIL’S DAWN, which I thought was so much better.. I get to play the best friend of a guy getting married, and instead of taking him camping like are girlfriends think, I take him to Vegas. Much like the Hangover, yet we filmed this way before that film was ever created. Maybe they stole the idea from us…LOL…..being in Vegas, of course I get us all into trouble as we end up at a strip club, only to be run by Vampires. Will our jealous girlfriends save the day?...or will I get killed by a stripper nurse?


Q: How about "Tomb of the Werewolf”?


          A: The setting for this was perfect. Just working at that castle house was creepy on its own. The great Paul Naschy was the werewolf. I was part of the reporters crew as the camera man once again, there to try and determine if the story was true or not. Was the Werewolf real, n if so, who was behind it?


Q: What's next for you? What else does 2010 hold for you?


          A: I have been blessed to be staying busy n booking lots of fun jobs. As I said before, I really want to get more into directing and producing. That is my goal for 2011. For this year, coming soon, I have a spoof on Para-normal coming to DVD….u guessed it, PARA-KNOCKERS. It stars Julie K. Smith n Jayden Cole (Bikini Frankenstein). It’s another classic from Wynorski. I seem to be trapped in a house with nothing but a ghost n bunch of Sexy girls….I know, tough life……I also just finished filming CAMEL SPIDERS, that stars C. Thomas Howell n Brian Krause. It’s the story of these man-eating giant camel spiders. I play an Army Ranger, n guess what…nobody gets naked! At least not on film…LOL














Q: Is there any movie director or producer you really want to work for one day? Or perhaps any actors or actresses you’d like to star with in a film?


          A: The list goes on and on. I have so much respect for filmmaking. I think I would be thrilled to work with any director that has vision n extreme passion. I’m always open to new ideas. Maybe this time next year, you will be asking me questions about directing.










Q: You’ve worked with such brilliant and beautiful actresses in your films. Can you tell me a little bit about these ladies and what’s it like to work with them: Rebecca Love, Brandin Rackley, Christine Nguyen, and Beverly Lynne.


          A: Yes, I have been lucky, as I have worked with all of them many times. All four are very talented, as they continue to book films. Its always a joy when I have long dialogue scenes, and I know its with one of them. Makes my day go by so much easier, n keeps Jim from yelling allday…LOL……Becca is a super sweetie! Fans probably don’t realize what a Doll she is, as she is known more for her sexiness.……Beverly is like my sister. I have lost track on how many times her n I have worked together. I never have to worry about her. She is always professional on set……Brandin is the character of the bunch. So talented, n can play many roles. Like I said earlier, she steals the show in Bikini Frankenstein………Christine is my partner in crime. We are close friends off screen, so filming with her is so natural. The first scene she ever did in the B-movie biz was with me. She works more now than any girl I know in Hollywood. I expect big things from her. I tell b-movie directors, cast her now, because pretty soon she will be on her way to the big time, and you wont be able to book her.


Q: Finally...this is an "Obscure Horror Movie" website. Can you name the last horror movie you watched either at the theatres or on dvd, etc? How about name a favorite horror film that you have seen that most people probably haven't seen?


          A: I just watched the remake of MY BLOODY VALENTINE the other nt. My friend Betsy is the hot blonde running around naked. I love that flick. The original was one of my all time favorites as a kid. I’m a huge horror buff. My Uncle has created a full year horror room in his basement, with coffins, n crazy statues n costumes. I love it! I’m in the process of writing a horror flick now, that I hope to produce myself. I have over 100 flicks on DVD. My other favorites….Devils Rejects, the Shining, all the Halloweens new n old except for part 3, n the underrated Near Dark , Ghost Ship, n 1408….now thinking about it, I can go on n on…LOL


Q: Thank you very much for doing this.




- END -





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