Oldie but a Goodie: Young Frankenstein (1974)

By E. M. Foster

Recently, a friend referenced the classic line, “Could be worse. Could be raining.” from Young Frankenstein. This film is a Mel Brooks gem, and really one that seems sadly forgotten by my generation. Honestly, I understand that ghouls and monsters should be reserved for Halloween, but Young Frankenstein is a comedic film for any time of year. Growing up, Gene Wilder was only Willy Wonka in my eyes- until I saw this movie (and later Blazing Saddles, but that’s a different post…). Seriously, the dialogue is great, the jokes are classics, and overall, it is just perfectly casted and really well produced.

Below is the trailer:

Now, for those of you who are unfamiliar with this hilarious masterpiece, it follows the story of Dr. Frankenstein’s grandson (Wilder). After years of trying to escape his family’s legacy, the young Frankenstein inherits his grandfather’s castle. There, he meets an array of interesting individuals, including Igor, Inga, and Frau Blucher. Upon discovering his grandfather’s diary, he decides to recreate the reanimation experiments- thus creating another Frankenstein’s monster.

I have selected several scenes from the film to share, although don’t ask me to pick a favorite- that would literally be impossible due to the fact that I start laughing and don’t stop until the film is finished.

The first is an iconic moment in film, and shows what is arguably the classiest monster ever seen on screen. Here, young Dr. Frankenstein is showing off his newly created monster, with a rendition of ‘Putting on the Ritz’.

One of the best things about Mel Brooks, was that he was not above dirty jokes- and in fact, he is probably one of the few filmmakers who could get his actors to deliver the lines perfectly.

Any post about Young Frankenstein must include a mention, homage, and general worship to Marty Feldman and his portrayal of Igor, the creepy, loveable hunchback.

The lists of great scenes from this film goes on and on, and if it were legal, I’d just post the entire movie here. I encourage every reader to see it. To end on a pun, the only thing that could make not seeing Young Frankenstein worse, is that it could be raining.