Young Frankenstein (Movie Review)
In this parody of classic horror films, Mel Brooks gives Mary Shelley's original tale of monster-making a riotous comic twist. Starring Gene Wilder, Peter Boyle and Madeline Kahn, Young Frankenstein is a must-watch for anyone interested in the genre.
When respected medical lecturer Frederick Frankenstein (Gene Wilder) inherits the estate of his infamous grandfather, he arrives in Transylvania and begins to recreate his grandfather's experiments with the help of servant Igor (Marty Feldman), Inga (Teri Garr) and Frau Blücher. But when his fiancée, Elizabeth (Madeline Kahn), arrives unexpectedly, new complications arise.
Plot
The film follows a young American scientist (Gene Wilder) who is exasperated whenever anyone brings up his grandfather Victor Frankenstein, the infamous mad scientist with whom he does not want to be associated. Upon inheriting his family's castle in Transylvania, Frederick Frankenstein (Fronk-en-steen) is forced to confront his family legacy and disassociate himself from the frightful reputation.
While visiting the estate, he becomes intrigued by his grandfather's reanimation experiments and begins reading his grandfather's journal. As he reads, he feels a connection with his grandfather's work and decides to pursue a career in reanimation himself.
He recruits a hunchback servant (Marty Feldman) and a pretty lab assistant (Teri Garr) to help him with his quest. Eventually, he builds a monster that can rival his grandfather's and successfully reanimates a dead body.
But he must deal with an irate town lynch mob led by Kemp. Fortunately, the young doctor is able to transfer some of his stabilizing intellect to the creature and convince them that he is innocent. He is then able to talk and reason with the villagers, allowing him to calm them down and save the castle from destruction.
The movie also has a number of other jokes that will surely make you laugh out loud. The most notable one is probably "Puttin' on the Ritz," where Fred and the monster demonstrate their abilities to a crowd of illustrious guests. The routine is a lot of fun and has some pretty funny musical numbers.
Another is the movie's punny pronunciation of Frankenstein's name. For most of the film, Igor pronounces it "Eye-gore" instead of "Fronk-en-steen." However, Frederick repeatedly corrects Igor's pronunciation until he eventually gets used to it.
Ultimately, the best part of the film is its gothic aesthetic and its willingness to lean into the aesthetic in order to make it work. The film is a love letter to the films that inspired it, but it also takes on the genre in its own unique way. The end result is a comedy that's not only a loving tribute to the films, but also a great time at the movies.
Cast
If you’re looking to watch a classic comedy, Mel Brooks’ 1974 film Young Frankenstein is one of the best. It’s a spoof of Mary Shelley’s novel and it was nominated for two Academy Awards. But it’s also one of the funniest movies of its time, so you better make sure to give it a chance ASAP.
The cast of Young Frankenstein includes a wide array of actors, including Gene Wilder, Madeline Kahn, Peter Boyle, and Teri Garr. They all put on fantastic performances to help the movie be as funny as possible.
Gene Wilder plays the role of Dr. Frederick Frankenstein, who has been trying to prove that his grandfather wasn’t as insane as people think he was. He gets the opportunity to do just that when he inherits his grandfather’s estate in Transylvania.
Once he arrives at the castle, Frederick learns that his ancestor had performed a number of experiments, and he begins to replicate them with the help of hunchback Igor (Marty Feldman), lab assistant Inga (Teri Garr) and old housekeeper Frau Blucher (Cloris Leachman). The film’s satire is funny enough without having to resort to gore, but it’s also very enjoyable with its black-and-white photography and far-out special effects.
There are many great scenes in the movie, but there is one that really stands out. It’s the scene where Frederick and the monster perform the musical number “Puttin’ on the Ritz”. The moment is unforgettable and it never fails to make me laugh.
It was very impressive to work on a film like this because the cinematography was great and it even included some of the same visuals that were used in the original Frankenstein films. The movie incorporated more photographic and special effects than any other film that I had worked on.
Some of the lab sequences were extremely elaborate and I was impressed with their electrical wizardry. I contacted Ken Strickfaden, who was the guy who had designed all of the laboratory equipment for the original films and I got him to rent some of the original equipment for Young Frankenstein.
Soundtrack
You know the story: American neurosurgeon Frederick Frankenstein (Gene Wilder) inherits his grandfather’s castle in Transylvania, where he is quickly drawn into his ancestor’s research on reanimation. Along with hunchback henchman Igor and buxom lab assistant Inga, he sets out to fulfill his grandfather’s legacy by reanimating a monster to rival the original.
Brooks took on this task with equal parts homage and parody, which makes Young Frankenstein a unique movie in its genre. It also pays tribute to its source material: Whale’s iconic 1931 and 1935 film adaptations of Mary Shelley’s novel.
In Young Frankenstein, Brooks plays with the gothic aesthetic of those films and he employs 1930s style opening credits, iris outs and wipes to help convey the film’s period feel. It’s also a visual treat, with a stunning array of black-and-white film stock and a dazzling musical score by John Morris.
The cast is one of the most incredible ensembles ever assembled in a comedic film, with Gene Wilder and Peter Boyle delivering the performances of their lives as both Frederick Frankenstein and his monster. Teri Garr and Madeline Kahn round out a comedy’s dream team, making Young Frankenstein an unforgettable cinematic experience for audiences of all ages.
Mel Brooks was always a master at creating laugh-a-minute movies, and Young Frankenstein is no exception. It is both a loving tribute to the horror films of its time and a hilarious parody, and it’s easy to see why this film was an Academy Award winner for Best Adapted Screenplay.
While the film is patterned after several classic horror films, it has its own distinctive set of humor and visual style. The film is shot entirely in black and white, which is rare for a 1970s production. It features a score that evokes the mood of those earlier films, and it also uses 1930s-style opening credits and scene transitions like iris outs, wipes and fades to black.
There are plenty of smutty jokes and sight gags, but it’s all done with a sense of fun and playfulness that is sure to appeal to kids and adults alike. The sexual innuendo is mostly subtle, but there are some references to “a roll in the hay” and “knockers.”
Parents need to be aware that the movie includes some sexual innuendo. There are a few scenes that may involve sex, but they are mainly between the characters and are clearly consensual. There is some profanity, as well.
Overall
The comedy of spoofs has been around for years, but the Mel Brooks/Gene Wilder team’s 1974 release of Young Frankenstein was a trailblazing standard that’s still going strong. It’s a must watch for any horror fan and anyone looking for a fun and witty way to spend their weekend.
In the tradition of a spoof, Brooks and Wilder play with the idea of the iconic monster in a humorous and affectionate manner that makes it more understandable to new audiences. It’s also a film that knows how to laugh at itself, as opposed to the cynicism of other comedy parodies like Airplane!
A film like this requires an exceptional cast, and Young Frankenstein certainly delivers on that front. Not only does Gene Wilder acquit himself as the eponymous character of Dr. Frankenstein, but he’s joined by some of the finest actors on the planet, including Marty Feldman, Teri Garr, Madeline Kahn, and Cloris Leachman.
Another great cast member is Sarah Wolter, who takes on the role of Elizabeth, a woman in Frankenstein’s betrothed. Her acting is exemplary, especially during the rousing Act II love duet with her onstage husband.
As she struts across the stage, Wolter delivers an enchanting voice that’s full of depth. She inflects her voice appropriately to express the different shades of emotion that come with her character, and she emotes some of the show’s most witty lines as well, such as in the memorable “Puttin’ on the Ritz.”
Musically, Young Frankenstein is another masterpiece from Brooks. He combines the best of Broadway traditions with vaudevillian Borscht Belt elements to create an energetic and lively score that’s constantly changing in rhythm. The lyrics are witty and satirical, often focusing on specific elements of the shows they’re parodying.
The production is designed to resemble films of the 1920s and 1930s, and the filmmakers use cinematic techniques, lighting styles, and transitional devices to achieve their desired effect. It’s a fun and visually impressive work that’s a must-see for any film fan!
