Young Frankenstein
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Movie Reviews of Young Frankenstein
Movie Review: One of the funniest parodies in the history of the movies
Summary: 5 Stars
YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN could well be the finest comic parody of a serious film ever made. James Whale, whose dedication to German expressionist aesthetic ideals Brooks and Wilder emulated in this film, directed both the original FRANKENSTEIN and its even finer sequel THE BRIDE OF FRANKENSTEIN. Gene Wilder had had the idea of doing a respectful parody of the Whale classics before he made BLAZING SADDLES and he approached Brooks with the idea of directing his script. Most people I have asked about the film assume it is a Mel Brooks project from beginning to end, but it would be more accurate to describe it as Mel Brooks directing a Gene Wilder. Of course, being Mel Brooks, he made more than his fair share of additions to the script, including many of the jokes, such as the famous Gene Wilder line "What great knockers!" he looks at the great doors of the mansion while his face is extremely close to Inga's chest.
The film is such a successful collaboration that the film represents the career highpoint or close to it for several of the principals in the film. Although BLAZING SADDLES has to go down as Brooks's career peak since he wrote, directed, and acted in it, YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN is his next greatest film. Gene Wilder has never come close to having a greater role than that of Dr. Frederick Frankenstein and though he has written other screenplays, nothing else remotely approaches this in terms of success. Though we know the late, great Peter Boyle for other roles (such as his great Emmy-winning performance on THE X-FILES' episode "Clyde Bruckman's Final Repose"), this had to be his finest hour. Teri Garr is one of my favorite actresses, but this is always been her best role in my opinion (it is also the role that changed her from primarily a TV guest actress to a movie actress). Though Cloris Leachman has had an amazingly diverse and varied career, this is easily one of her most memorable roles. Finally, Madeleine Kahn had comparable roles in BLAZING SADDLES and WHAT'S UP DOC?, but she was never clearly better than she was in this film. The one clear exception to all this is Gene Hackman, who has a small cameo and who has had, of course, a few dozen better roles than this. His presence is welcome all the same. In short, it is a film that made everyone in the project look very good indeed. One additional actor I would like to mention is Richard Haydn, a great veteran Hollywood character actor. Many will recall him as one of the scholars in BALL OF FIRE, Howard Hawks's take off on SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN DWARFS. Here he appears at the very beginning of the film as Gerhard Falkstein.
This is probably the last film Mel Brooks made in which very nearly every joke works. What is remarkable is that they work as well today as they did in 1974 when the film first came out. I suspect people will be laughing at it as hard 75 years from now as they do today. The film has as many truly funny moments as any you could hope to see. A host of the bits in the film have become classics, from Inga asking if Frederick would like to go for a "roll in ze hay" (she is being literal, not suggestive), to the horses neighing when they hear the name "Frau Blücher," to the famous performance by Gene Wilder and Peter Boyle of "Puttin' on the Ritz." But the jokes can obscure what a slick production it is. Most people know that they used much of the equipment used in the original James Whale films, but even when they using completely original items the film does a masterful job of imitating the look of the old Universal projects.
In short, YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN is almost certainly assured of permanent status as a great comedy classic. Having said that, I'm not certain that this great film has ever gotten the treatment that it has deserved on DVD. I would love to see a definitive edition, with greatly expanded extras, better commentaries, interviews with the surviving cast members, and perhaps a documentary or two. With most of the major surviving figures from the film either aging or ill, I would like to see this done sooner rather than later. But even if this is the best we will ever get, this is definitely one of the classic comic films.
Movie Review: Quite possibly the greatest comedy of all time; and I'm not lying...
Summary: 5 Stars
Quite honestly one of the greatest comedies ever filmed, `Young Frankenstein' is a marvel of cinema and a treasure for every film library. The film sports some hilarious performances, iconic at that, not to mention a tightly woven script with jokes that actually land; all of which come together beautifully to create an extremely memorable comedic experience. It's rare for me to find a comedy that covers every base. As much as I enjoy a good comedy I often refer to dramatic films when speaking of `the best of film' but I would be a liar if I said that `Young Frankenstein' isn't one of the greatest `movies' ever made, let alone comedies.
The film follows the grandson of Dr. Frankenstein, Frederick Frankenstein, as he inherits his grandfather's castle. Frankenstein has spent his entire life trying to live down the reputation of his experimental grandfather but he soon finds himself falling into his granddads footsteps. Equipped with a hunchbacked sidekick Igor, the beautiful Inga and the mysterious Frau Blucher, Frankenstein makes his own attempt at creating life from death, with some disastrous (not to mention hilarious) consequences.
Gene Wilder was one hilarious actor. I love his character creations, Frederick Frankenstein resting right up there with Willy Wonka for me. He truly shines here, it's no wonder he considered this his favorite of all the films he made. Marty Feldman steals this film though as Igor. His performance is comedic genius. The way he always manages to steal the limelight in the scene, becoming the focal point of our attention due to his marvelous comedic timing. Teri Garr is also right on point and effortlessly captivating, but she can't hold a candle to Cloris Leachman or Madeline Kahn who are both uproarious here; especially Leachman (that whole violin scene leaves me in stitches every time).
We cannot leave out the late, great, Peter Boyle who dominates this film as the monster. He makes him human, yes, but more importantly he makes him funny. That whole `Puttin on the Ritz' scene (arguably the best scene in the film) is precisely the reason why this film is a `must see-must own' staple for any lover of film.
Mel Brooks was known for his comedies, many of which are considered classics and are adored by many. In my humble opinion, this is his finest film. It gets everything right, and that is a rare treat indeed. There is not a dry spot found here, each and every gag landing right where it is supposed to (word is that for every joke that landed there were two or three that fell flat so there was a massive editing procedure done to save the film and deliver this finely polished finished product).
There are plenty of spoofs out there today, films that take something classic and tear it to shreds in an effort to elicit some laughs. Sadly many of them fall flat. `Young Frankenstein' is the film that they should all aspire to be because it is the one film that actually manages to deliver a unique and memorable experience without tarnishing the good name of the original. Yes, `Young Frankenstein' draws all of its humor from cracking fun at Mary Shelley's classic, but this film manages to become its own film, separate from its inspiration and thus earning its very own place in our hearts.
There are few films that I could sit and watch time and time again. This is right at the top of that very short list.
Movie Review: The Doctor Is In!
Summary: 5 Stars
WARNING: This film may lead to incontinence due to hysterical laughter!
Mel Brooks' 1974 film, Young Frankenstein is arguably the funniest film ever made. Gene Wilder and Mel Brooks, who had previously collaborated on The Producers and Blazing Saddles, wrote the script together. This film is a superbly crafted parody of the Universal Frankenstein films.
The story begins with young Doctor Frederick Frankenstein (pronounced Fronkensteen) discovering that he has inherited his great-grandfather's Transylvanian mansion. Upon his arrival Dr. Frankenstein meets Igor (pronounced Eye-Gore), an eccentric servant with a hunched back. He is also introduced to the vivacious vixen, Inga who just wants "to have a roll in ze hay." Before long Frederick discovers the secret library of his infamous grandfather, Victor von Frankenstein and becomes totally obsessed with creating a "monster" of his own. Naturally this doesn't go over well with the local peasantry. After the monster goes on a rampage of terror (or more accurately a rampage of hilarity), the villagers form an angry mob and set out to destroy it. But don't worry, all's well that ends well in the world of Mel Brooks.
The gags in the film are hilarious (I won't ruin them for any of you yet to see the film). The satire is heightened by the brilliance of the set design, and by the black and white cinematography, which perfectly captures the look of classic horror films. The cast is terrific especially Gene Wilder as the infirm Dr. Frankenstein, Marty Feldman as the zany hunchback Igor, Teri Garr as the delightfully ditzy assistant Inga, Madeline Kahn as Dr. Frankenstein's obnoxious and vain fiancée, Kenneth Mars as the one-armed Inspector Kemp, Cloris Leachman as the mysterious Frau Blucher whose name incites terror in the hearts of all horses, and Peter Boyle as the mumbling monster. Also look for a memorable cameo appearance by Gene Hackman.
As often as Young Frankenstein is referred to as being "the greatest comedy ever", it's odd that it never received any awards for its talented cast and crew. They certainly deserved them. There are few works of comedic genius out there today, for which I am grateful to Mel Brooks for giving us this loony masterpiece to watch again and again.
The DVD features some great supplemental material including cast interviews, an audio commentary with Mel Brooks reminiscing about the making of the film, production stills, trailers and TV spots, a wonderful documentary, seven deleted scenes and an outrageously funny blooper reel (watch the documentary before the blooper reel for maximum effect).
And remember next time a reanimated corpse is on the loose that "A riot is an ugly thing... und I think it is just about time that we have one!"
Movie Review: A Masterpiece
Summary: 5 Stars
Young Frankenstein is one hour and forty six minutes long and was released on December 15, 1974. The whole movie was shot in black and white and incorporates Frankenstein, Bride of Frankenstein, and Son of Frankenstein. The movie was played strictly for laughs and it has a lot of them. Some of the on going gags are Igor (pronounced "Eye-gor") ever changing hump on his back. On scene it is on the left side and on another scene the right side. Also when ever anyone says the name Frau Blücher or just Blücher, the horses goes wild. Also there are few minor mistakes as well. Gene Wilder role of Dr. Frederick Frankenstein is the grandson of the late Dr. Victor Frankenstein. In one scene; he is referred to as the great-grandson. Also Inspector Kemp right arm is artificial, but when he is searching for the Monster in the woods, it is on the left side. Finally when Dr. Frederick Frankenstein and Inspector Kemp are playing darts, Dr. Frankenstein only throws two darts through the window. When Inspector Kemp heads toward his car and drive off; the scene shows six darts. The movie starts off with the coffin of Baron Beaufort Von Frankenstein, the Great-grandfather of Dr. Frederick Frankenstein, being open. A lawyer for the Frankenstein family is sent to the United States to tell Dr. Frederick Frankenstein that he has inherited his Great-grandfather estate. Dr. Frederick Frankenstein travels to Transylvania and meets up with Igor and Inga. One night Dr. Frankenstein hears music and along with Inga investigate the source of the music. It leads him to his grand-father private libray and the book How I Did It. After reading the book, Dr. Frankenstein believes he can do it as well and did up a body of a recently huge criminal. Igor is sent to the Brain Depository. After dropping the good brain, Igor picks up the adnormal and brings is back to Dr. Frankenstein. When the creature is bought back to life and goes wild in the lab, given a sedative, Dr. Frankenstein asks Igor whose brain is in the that creature. Igor calmly replies that it is an Abby Normal's brain. Dr. Frankenstein is angry with Igor that he gave him an abnormal brain. The monster escape and we have the blind man scene where his taken in and the blind man does his best to be polite. When the blind man offers the Creature a cigar and tries to light one up for him, he burns the creature thumb and the Creatue leaves screaming. He finally make his way back to the castle where Dr. Frankenstein shows him love and compasion. At an evening gather Dr. Frankenstein shows off The Creature to fellow scientits and doctorts, however, a lightbulb burst and The Creature goes into a fit a rage and is taken into custady. It while The Creature is in custady that the prison guard mocks him and The Creature breaks the chains and escape. Dr. Frankenstein plays music to bring The Creature back to the castle for a serious operation. The operation is a succes and The Creatue is nolonger evil. Despite the minor goofs, this is Mel Brooks and Gene Wilder at their finest. I am giving Young Frankenstein an AAAAA+++++.
Language Selection
Scene Selection
Extra Features
A) Making Frankensense of Young Frankenstein
B) Trailers
C) TV Spots
D) Deleted Scenes
E) Mexican Interviews
F) Outtakes
G) Production Photographs
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Movie Review: Young Frankenstein
Summary: 5 Stars
"Young Frankenstein" is a 1974 Mel Brooks film, based loosely on the Frankenstein book and horror films. It's got a good reputation, but I didn't know what to expect really. I liked it though.
The "Young Frankenstein" is grandson of the original mad scientist, a professor of biology at an American university. He wants nothing to do with his grandfather's research, digging up bodies and bringing them to life, he thinks its a load of nonsense. On returning to his grandfather's castle in Transylvania, however, destiny compells him to take up the experiments again, and soon, he has re-animated a corpse, with the body of a giant man, and a brain belonging to an "Abbie Normal". That's what Eye-Gor (Marty Feldman) says, anyway. The townsfolk riot, the monster learns to dance, and a couple of love triangles develop.
I think this film works best as a tribute to old horror films with comedic elements rather than a straight up comedy. It's got great sets (some from the original Frankenstein film), great lighting, and those long periods of silence and minimal score that older films have. I haven't seen as many of the old horror films as I would like to, but I have seen enough to think this makes a good stylistic tribute. If you go in expecting something funny to happen all the time, you may be a little disappointed. Funny things definitely do happen (like the monster singing "Putting on the Ritz", the police chief's strange, mechanical movements, etc), but if you treat the film like some forgotten horror flick with some unexpected quirks it works a lot better, I think. The uncoventional comments and such come off a lot stronger this way, and perhaps this was the intention. As a comedy tribute to old films, I think this is one of the better ones, and I'd be picking this up before, say, a film like "The Lost Skeleton of Cadavra", which was made a couple of years back.
Special features on the special edition include several deleted scenes, original theatrical and television trailers (narrated by Mel Brooks), outtakes, a commentary by Mel Brooks (whose audio sounds kind of aged), and a making of documentary with interviews from various crew members and Gene Wilder. He hasn't changed much, Gene, not really. They're all pretty interesting to watch.
Worth a look for fans of Mel Brooks, and for lovers of the old time horror films. A funny tribute.