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Have you ever gotten the question, “If you were stranded on a desert island, what movie would you want to have with you?” I can never pick just one, but I know of a select few movies that I could watch over and over again without tiring of them: .nightsandweekends.com/articles/03/NW0300148.php”>Down with Love, all three of the Monty Python films, and Mel Brooks’ Young Frankenstein.
A spoof on black-and-white horror films, Young Frankenstein is the story of Baron von Frankenstein’s grandson, Dr. Frederick Frankenstein (pronounced: “FRAHNK-en-steen”), a gifted neurosurgeon portrayed wonderfully by Gene Wilder. Frederick tries to remain distant from his ancestor’s work, but when he inherits his grandfather’s castle, he leaves his life and fiancée, Elizabeth (Madeline Kahn) behind and travels to Transylvania.
There, he meets a wonderfully crazy group of characters: a creepy-looking hunchback named Igor (pronounced: “EYE-gore”), played by British funnyman Marty Feldman; his pretty new lab assistant, Inga (Teri Garr); and a stern castle matron named Frau Blücher (Cloris Leachman). Despite his initial misgivings about the original Frankenstein’s work, Frederick eventually stumbles upon his grandfather’s public library and begins working on his own creature: a giant monster of a man with an abnormal brain (Peter Boyle).
This is one of the most hilarious movies I’ve ever seen, and—much like the Monty Python movies—it gets funnier each time you watch it. There aren’t many other movies that have as many quotable lines or memorable scenes as Young Frankenstein. This film is filled with classic, trademark Mel Brooks comedy—including a character taking “Walk this way” a little too seriously; several running gags (the best one involving Frau Blücher’s name and horses); and Igor’s moving hump. In addition, some of Mel Brooks’ best work is found in this movie, especially a fun tap-dancing rendition of “Putting on the Ritz” (performed by Frederick and the creature), and a very funny scene involving the creature and a lonely blind man (Gene Hackman in a surprising cameo role).
No one does spoof like Mel Brooks, and Young Frankenstein is a great example. You don’t need to wait for Halloween to check this classic out—although you might scare yourself laughing, there’s nothing frightening about this movie. It’s just smart, funny comedy at its best.
