YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN (1974, USA, 106m, PG) ****
Comedy
dist. 20th Century Fox; pr co. Gruskoff-Venture Films / Crossbow Productions / Jouer Limited; d. Mel Brooks; w. Gene Wilder, Mel Brooks (based on characters in the novel ‘Frankenstein’ by Mary Shelley); pr. Michael Gruskoff; ph. Gerald Hirschfeld (B&W | 1.85:1); m. John Morris; ed. John C. Howard; pd. Dale Hennesy.
cast: Gene Wilder (Dr. Frederick Frankenstein), Peter Boyle (The Monster), Marty Feldman (Igor), Madeline Kahn (Elizabeth), Cloris Leachman (Frau Blücher), Teri Garr (Inga), Kenneth Mars (Inspector Kemp), Richard Haydn (Herr Falkstein), Liam Dunn (Mr. Hilltop), Danny Goldman (Medical Student), Oscar Beregi Jr. (Sadistic Jailor), Arthur Malet (Village Elder), Richard A. Roth (Insp. Kemp’s Aide), Monte Landis (Gravedigger), Rusty Blitz (Gravedigger), Anne Beesley (Little Girl), Gene Hackman (Blindman), John Madison (Villager), John Dennis (Orderly in Frankenstein’s Class), Rick Norman (Villager).
Mel Brooks’ affectionate parody of Universal’s Frankenstein movies sees respected medical lecturer Dr. Frederick Frankenstein (Wilder) learn that he has inherited his infamous grandfather’s estate in Transylvania. Arriving at the castle, Dr. Frankenstein soon begins to recreate his grandfather’s experiments with the help of servants Igor (Feldman), Inga (Garr) and the fearsome Frau Blücher (Leachman). After he creates his own monster (Boyle), new complications ensue with the arrival of the doctor’s fiancée, Elizabeth (Kahn). Sumptuously and evocatively shot in black-and-white this comic take on the Frankenstein story – or more notably the Universal films of the 1930s – provides plenty of laughs and a few misses. The cast is excellent, with Wilder hysterically capturing the madness of Frankenstein. Boyle wonderfully echoes Karloff and Mars is hilarious as the mechanically armed and heavily accented police inspector. Hackman enjoys himself recreating the blind hermit scene from BRIDE OF FRANKENSTEIN, and there is a surreal scene with Wilder and Boyle performing ‘Puttin’ on the Ritz’ in front of an audience. The result is probably Brooks’ strongest, best directed and most authentic spoof, with wonderful production design, demonstrating an obvious love for his subject.
AAN: Best Writing, Screenplay Adapted from Other Material (Gene Wilder, Mel Brooks); Best Sound (Richard Portman, Gene S. Cantamessa)
