Overview
An affectionate parody that pays homage to the FRANKENSTEIN films (from the novel FRANKENSTEIN by Mary Shelley) directed by James Whale in the 1930s, YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN is both a zany comedy and a cinematic tour de force. Written by director Mel Brooks and the film's star, Gene Wilder, YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN has all the usual--and in this case slightly unusual--suspects: the reluctant scientist Frederick Frankenstein, who is actually the grandson of the infamous creature-creator (pronounced "Fronken-steen" and played by Wilder), his spoiled fiancée (Madeline Kahn), Igor the pop-eyed hunchback (Marty Feldman), his dizzy assistant (Teri Garr), the castle's hideous head housekeeper (Cloris Leachman), and, of course, the Monster (Peter Boyle). Highlights include the sets, which are the original ones used in the Whale films; the beautiful black-and-white cinematography; and the fine screenplay. Combining noirish elegance with uproarious sight gags and double entendres is a feat Brooks pulls off fabulously, directing the wonderful ensemble to act with sensitivity and humanistic feelings as well as with lunatic abandon. YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN is a treat from beginning to end.
Awards:
Main Cast & Crew:
Mel Brooks - Director
Gene Wilder
Peter Boyle
Marty Feldman
Madeline Kahn
Teri Garr
Cloris Leachman
Terry Garr
Liam Dunn
Arthur Malet
Richard A. Roth
Details
- Format: DVD (Repackaged, AC-3, Widescreen, Sensormatic)
- Run Time: 102
- Color Format: B&W
- UPC: 024543371571
- Genre: COMEDIES
- Rating: PG (MPAA) ((Parental Guidance Suggested))
- Release Date: September 2006
Movie Reviews
Notes:
Theatrical Release: December 15, 1974.
YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN is number 13 on the American Film Institute's list of America's 100 Funniest Movies.
The film employs much of the original laboratory equipment used in the original FRANKENSTEIN, designed by Kenneth Strickfaden, who had the stuff set up in his basement and lent Brooks the set, creating some new pieces to go with the old.
The film was shot at a 1:85 frame ratio, as were the old FRANKENSTEIN films, and this helped to create the movie's classic look, as did the use of iris outs, spins, and wipes.
Gene Wilder came up with the original concept for the film while starring in Brooks's BLAZING SADDLES and approached him with the idea.
Said Wilder of working on the script with Brooks, "I would say, 'I don't want this to be BLAZING FRANKENSTEIN,' and he'd answer, 'I don't want an art film that only 14 people see.'"
Kenneth Mars, who played the crazy Nazi playwright in Brooks's THE PRODUCERS, created a parody of Lionel Atwill in SON OF FRANKENSTEIN in his characterization of Inspector Kemp in YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN.
Reviews:
"...Mel Brooks' masterpiece....[It] turned out to be one of Twentieth Century-Fox's biggest hits of the era..." - 01/10/1997 USA Today, p.3D
"...With sterling support from Teri Garr, Cloris Leachman and the superb Marty Feldman..." - 09/01/2000 Total Film, p.102
"...[With] some inspired comic performances from Peter Boyle and Gene Wilder..." - 12/01/2000 Sight and Sound, p.63
"[Brooks'] funniest movie. Gene Wilder as Frankenstein's grandson is all repressed hysteria, Marty Feldman a superbly deformed Igor..." - 02/01/2006 Uncut, p.105
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