One of the funniest movie comedies of all time is “Young Frankenstein” from director Mel Brooks (“Blazing Saddles” 1974). The film is a parody of the horror film genre, the story of Dr. Frankenstein’s grandson returning to claim his grandfather’s castle and his “scientific” work. The hilarious screenplay by Brooks and Gene Wilder (also the star of the show) was nominated for an Academy Award, one of two Oscar nods, the other being Best Sound.
The film has a strong cast, starting with Wilder, who is perfect in the title role of the young Dr. Frankenstein. He has fantastic comedy timing and on-screen charisma. Marty Feldman is a million laughs as the doctor’s assistant Igor, who had a lot of explaining to do when he retrieved the wrong brain for the monster. The label of “Abnormal” became “Abby Normal.”
Other performers include Cloris Leachman as Frankenstein family friend Frau Blucher; Teri Garr as the girlfriend; Madeline Kahn as the bride of Frankenstein; Kenneth Mars as the police inspector; and Peter Boyle as Frankenstein’s monster, years before his most famous role as the patriarch of the Barone TV family on “Everybody Loves Raymond” (1996-2005). His musical number with Wilder doing “Putting on the Ritz” is a classic movie comedy scene.
Also appearing are Ian Abercrombie, Richard Haydn, Rolfe Sedan, Liam Dunn, Danny Goldman, Lou Cutell, Michael Fox, Arthur Malet, Oscar Beregi, Monte Landis, and Gene Hackman in a small part as a blind man. To add authenticity to this 105 minute, black-and-white picture, Mel Brooks used original laboratory equipment from 1931’s “Frankenstein” which starred Boris Karloff as the monster.
The very watchable and entertaining “Young Frankenstein” was a big hit at the box office for Gruskoff/Venture Films, Crossbow Productions Inc., Jouer Limited, and 20th Century Fox.
Young Frankenstein (1974)
cinema
My Review
One of the funniest movie comedies of all time is “Young Frankenstein” from director Mel Brooks (“Blazing Saddles” 1974). The film is a parody of the horror film genre, the story of Dr. Frankenstein’s grandson returning to claim his grandfather’s castle and his “scientific” work. The hilarious screenplay by Brooks and Gene Wilder (also the star of the show) was nominated for an Academy Award, one of two Oscar nods, the other being Best Sound.
The film has a strong cast, starting with Wilder, who is perfect in the title role of the young Dr. Frankenstein. He has fantastic comedy timing and on-screen charisma. Marty Feldman is a million laughs as the doctor’s assistant Igor, who had a lot of explaining to do when he retrieved the wrong brain for the monster. The label of “Abnormal” became “Abby Normal.”
Other performers include Cloris Leachman as Frankenstein family friend Frau Blucher; Teri Garr as the girlfriend; Madeline Kahn as the bride of Frankenstein; Kenneth Mars as the police inspector; and Peter Boyle as Frankenstein’s monster, years before his most famous role as the patriarch of the Barone TV family on “Everybody Loves Raymond” (1996-2005). His musical number with Wilder doing “Putting on the Ritz” is a classic movie comedy scene.
Also appearing are Ian Abercrombie, Richard Haydn, Rolfe Sedan, Liam Dunn, Danny Goldman, Lou Cutell, Michael Fox, Arthur Malet, Oscar Beregi, Monte Landis, and Gene Hackman in a small part as a blind man. To add authenticity to this 105 minute, black-and-white picture, Mel Brooks used original laboratory equipment from 1931’s “Frankenstein” which starred Boris Karloff as the monster.
The very watchable and entertaining “Young Frankenstein” was a big hit at the box office for Gruskoff/Venture Films, Crossbow Productions Inc., Jouer Limited, and 20th Century Fox.