Young Frankenstein is Director Mel Brooks’ funniest and best film.

On a roll following critical acclaim and box office success for his Western spoof, Blazing Saddles, Brooks was allowed by 20th Century Fox a budget of $2.8 million to make Young Frankenstein with total control of the final cut. Collaborating with comedian Gene Wilder on the script, Brooks decided to film in the same 1:85 aspect ratio as the original 1931 Frankenstein and in black and white. The result was the look and feel of the 1930s, especially since the original equipment used in Director James Whale’s Frankenstein laboratory was still extant and made available to Brooks for his classic parody.

Gene Wilder stars as the grandson of Viktor Frankenstein. “That’s Dr. Fronk-en-shteen,” he explains to dwarf hunchback Marty Feldman. “My name is Eye-Gor,” Feldman replies. These two are a perfect couple to create laughs in their numerous scenes together. Peter Boyle is surprisingly good as “The Monster,” and his soft shoe with Wilder to the tune of “Putting on the Ritz” must be seen to be appreciated. Gene Hackman has a cameo as the blind man who befriends the friendless monster. He ends up lighting the monster’s thumb in place of his cigar! Madeline Kahn stars as Wilder’s sometime fiancée and later as the Monster’s love interest, in a take-off from Bride of Frankenstein, acknowledged among critics as the best of the original Universal horror movies. The best performance of all came from Terri Garr, as Inga with her German accent alluded to in my title. Garr steals every scene she is in, and her revolving secret door routine with Wilder is priceless. Garr, along with Feldman makes the movie a sparkling comedy.

Mel Brooks got his start in television, writing for such comedy programs as Get Smart, which he created. But Brooks’ work has all too often been stale and unimaginative, likely because he combines lots of standard jokes with little plot. In Young Frankenstein, however, he wisely stuck to the original story by Mary Shelley with updates by comedian Wilder. This is probably the greatest difference in how Brooks approached this project and why, in my opinion, it worked so much better than his usual schtick.

Young Frankenstein will provide comedy entertainment for those who like comedy and will provide a fine introduction into the classic horror movies for all audiences. Especially recommended are the early classics Frankenstein, Bride of Frankenstein, Dracula, and The Mummy.



Recommended:
Yes

Viewing Format: VHS
Video Occasion: Fit for Friday Evening