If Mel Brooks and Mary Shelley created a monster together and brought it to life, “Young Frankenstein” would be that monster. And I mean that in the nicest way possible!
The film follows Dr. Frederick Frankenstein (it’s pronounced ‘Fronkenshteen’!), the grandson of the legendary Dr. Victor Frankenstein and a lecturing physician who must undertake a voyage to home sweet Transylvania. It’s here he’s to inherit his large estate; however, he soon finds himself following in his ancestor’s footsteps by creating a monster of his own. And now along with the ditzy Inga and the impish Igor, he must attempt to tame his creation before it wreaks havoc upon the town.
The movie is a parody on the Mary Shelley classic “Frankenstein”—as you may have guessed—and contains plenty of dark humour, as well as a heavy helping of double-meaning jokes, silly shenanigans, and pranks (mainly by the devilish Igor). It also includes characters that are exaggerated versions or completely original spoofs; it takes on the source material, hilarious running gags (such as the iconic ‘walk this way’ gag), tons of quotable moments (my personal favourite is ‘Abbey Normal’ and ‘Sedagive’), and great performances from a cast with a knack for delivering the jokes in their own comedic styles.
Gene Wilder plays his straight man role to perfection as no-nonsense Frederick and Teri Garr lends support as Inga. She’s a spoof of a spoof; she plays the damsel in distress trope crossed with a blonde bombshell trope. You can tell she tremendously enjoys rolls in the hay; she easily wins over the good doctor with her charms and delightfully whimsical energy. Although, when I see Garr in this movie, I think often of her perfect casting as Phoebe’s mum in “Friends” (the Lisa Kudrow vibes are oh-so-real here).
Gene Wilder and Terri Garr in “Young Frankenstein.” Photo: © 1974 Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation.
Marty Feldman doesn’t miss a beat as Igor, and his improv skills are on full display during this film. How anybody keeps a straight face during Feldman’s lines and silly faces during this movie is beyond me. Adding a creepy touch to the proceedings is Cloris Leachman as Frau Blucher; he stars as the enigmatic housekeeper who also doubles as a threat to horses everywhere. Peter Boyle too turns in a formidable performance as the terrifying yet endearing and misunderstood Fronkenshteen monster.
If you enjoy rolls in the hay, manic scientists and their monstrous creations putting on musical performances and tapdancing to the tune of “Putting on the Ritz”—or if you just don’t feel like watching anything too scary this Halloween, then catch “Young Frankenstein” instead and bust a gut laughing.
“Young Frankenstein” is available to watch or rent from Amazon Prime Video.
