Mel Brooks and the cast and crew allegedly had so much fun making this classic comedy that the director decided to add a few sequences just to keep the production going a bit longer. Watching the final results, I can understand why. This is one of the funniest movies ever made and it is also Gene Wilder’s personal favorite. Not only in the same vein as Mr. Brooks’ Blazing Saddles (1974), it was also most likely inspired by Roman Polanski’s wonderful The Fearless Vampire Killers (1967).

The film is a spoof of the old Frankenstein pictures by James Whale, and even uses the same lab equipment as a way of recreating the atmosphere of an era that is long gone. Cinematographer Gerald Hirschfeld has done a beautiful job of making the film look like those old horror movies; we truly feel like we’re in an old castle (and village) in Transylvania, and the idea to capture it all in black-and-white is ingenious, of course. When we first meet Frederick (Wilder), he’s so desperate to be disassociated from his legendary grandfather, who created a monster made out of body parts from corpses, that he has changed his surname into “Fronkonsteen”. Nevertheless, Frederick is also a scientist, and when he inherits his grandfather’s castle in Transylvania he sees no other option but leaving. Once there, he becomes acquainted with Igor (Marty Feldman), a hunchback who did Dr. Frankenstein’s dirty work, Inga (Teri Garr), a blond and not too bright girl, and Frau Blücher (Cloris Leachman), the grim and mysterious housekeeper in the castle (whenever her name is uttered, the horses start neighing). They’re a strange bunch, but Frederick puts them to great use when he finds his grandfather’s hidden library that contains all the paperwork behind the groundbreaking, monstrous project, and decides to create another creature. Together with Igor, he goes gravedigging and puts together a monster that would make Boris Karloff proud. Of course, Igor makes the classic mistake of stealing the wrong brain, the one that belongs to “Abby Normal”…

There are so many sequences here that are simply brilliantly structured. I love the whole bit that begins with the Monster (Peter Boyle) awakening and attacking Frederick (“Sedagive?!”), and Gene Hackman’s cameo appearance as the blind hermit in a scene that is a direct spoof of Bride of Frankenstein (1935). The actors’ performances enliven every sequence, however, no matter how slight or plain silly it is; Madeline Kahn is hilarious as Frederick’s prissy fiancée, Mr. Feldman has never been funnier as Igor (this is how we primarily remember him), Mr. Boyle got his breakthrough as the giant but friendly Monster, Kenneth Mars is amusing as the robotic, nazistic police inspector, and Mr. Wilder is very engaging as the nephew who can’t help going the exact same way as his grandfather. The story is very similar to the one in Frankenstein (1931), but what truly sets it apart is Mr. Wilder and the director’s hilarious dialogue and barrage of gags (most of which are definitive hits). I should also mention John Morris who has written a traditional horror score, but also deftly includes an emotional theme that plays a significant part; the filmmakers never forget that the story about Frankenstein is also a story about human emotions.

I think the sequence where Frederick and the Monster perform “Puttin’ On the Ritz” is the moment in the film where one is prepared to recognize the genius of Mel Brooks. Unfortunately, he never made another film as memorable as this.

The YouTube clip shows dr. Fronkonsteen and the Monster performing “Puttin’ On the Ritz”.

Young Frankenstein 1974-U.S. 105 min. Black/White. Produced by Michael Gruskoff. Directed by Mel Brooks. Screenplay: Mel Brooks, Gene Wilder. Cinematography: Gerald Hirschfeld. Music: John Morris. Cast: Gene Wilder (Frederick Fronkonsteen), Peter Boyle (The Monster), Marty Feldman (Igor), Teri Garr, Madeline Kahn, Cloris Leachman… Kenneth Mars. Cameo: Gene Hackman.

Trivia: Ms. Kahn was allegedly first considered for the part that came to be played by Ms. Garr.

Quote: “Oh! Where are you going?… Oh, you men are all alike! Seven or eight quick ones and then you’re out with the boys to boast and brag! You better keep your mouth shut!! Oh… I think I love him!” (Ms. Kahn after sex with the Monster)

Published by Stefan Hedmark 2007-09-26 04:21

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