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Blast from the Past: Young Frankenstein

Iain W. Reeve, A&E Editor

Before History of the World, Spaceballs, Robin Hood:
Men in Tights, and the horrible mess that was
Dracula: Dead and Loving It, there was the magic
year of 1974 when Mel Brooks wrote and directed
two of the best comedies ever. The racially risqué
Blazing Saddles and the utterly outrageous horror
parody Young Frankenstein.

Based, of course, on the classic Boris Karloff
era of Frankenstein films, Young Frankenstein fol-
lows the journey of Doctor Frederick
Frankenstein, grandson of the psychotic Victor
Frankenstein who attempted to create life from
dismembered corpses. Journeying back to the labo-
ratory where the horrid experiment took place
Frederick is drawn, at first unwillingly, down the
same path as his grandfather to create life most
unnatural. Doesn’t sound funny? Well it is!

Like most Brooks films, this film relies on
classic slapstick, running gags, sight gags, play on
words, and clever timing. This is screen comedy in
its purest form. But with a wide range of comedy
that will ensure just about everyone will have at

least one or two good rolls on the floor, this is cer-
tainly one of Brooks’ best.

The actors make the show, however. From
Madeline Kahn’s great turn as Fred’s flippant lover
Elizabeth, to his servants, Igor the hunchback with
the moving hump and the very well endowed Inga,
this is a solid cast. Special nod goes to Peter Boyle
as The Monster, who is hilarious, terrifying, and
even cute whenever the need arises. But, as with
every film he is in, Gene Wilder steals the show.
His comic genius is unparalleled. Whether he is
spinning around a secret door bookcase, puttin’ on
the ritz, stabbing himself in the leg with a scalpel,
or bringing a bunch of dead body parts to life, his
energy, timing, and commitment is almost
unequaled in comedy history.

If you like any Mel Brooks films, this is a
must see. It is rivaled only by the original The
Producers in its sheer comedic depth and frequency.
If you hate Mel Brooks, give it a shot. You may be
pleasantly surprised.

MacEwANn

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