If you were to argue that Mel Brooks's Young Frankenstein ranks among the top-ten funniest movies of all time, nobody could reasonably dispute the claim. Spoofing classic horror in the way that Brooks's previous film Blazing Saddles sent up classic Westerns, the movie is both a loving tribute and a raucous, irreverent parody of Universal's classic horror films Frankenstein (1931) and Bride of Frankenstein (1935). Filming in glorious black and white, Brooks re-created the Frankenstein laboratory using the same equipment from the original Frankenstein (courtesy of designer Kenneth Strickfaden), and this loving attention to physical and stylistic detail creates a solid foundation for nonstop comedy. The story, of course, involves Frederick Frankenstein (Gene Wilder) and his effort to resume experiments in re-animation pioneered by his late father. (He's got some help, since dad left behind a book titled How I Did It.) Assisting him is the hapless hunchback Igor (Marty Feldman) and the buxom but none-too-bright maiden Inga (Teri Garr), and when Frankenstein succeeds in creating his monster (Peter Boyle), the stage is set for an outrageous revision of the Frankenstein legend. With comedy highlights too numerous to mention, Brooks guides his brilliant cast (also including Cloris Leachman, Madeline Kahn, Kenneth Mars, and Gene Hackman in a classic cameo role) through scene after scene of inspired hilarity. Indeed, Young Frankenstein is a charmed film, nothing less than a comedy classic, representing the finest work from everyone involved. Not one joke has lost its payoff, and none of the countless gags have lost their zany appeal. From a career that includes some of the best comedies ever made, this is the film for which Mel Brooks will be most fondly remembered. Befitting a classic, the Special Edition DVD includes audio commentary by Mel Brooks, a "making of" documentary, interviews with the cast, hilarious bloopers and outtakes, and the original theatrical trailers. No video library should be without a copy of Young Frankenstein. And just remember--that's Fronkensteen. --Jeff Shannon
Beyond Young Frankenstein 
High Anxiety
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Spaceballs | 
Blazing Saddles |
Stills from Young Frankenstein (Click for larger image) |
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 Almost too good! |
| Review Date: December 3, 1999 |
| Reviewer: , |
| Features, features, features. Anyone who loves this film and loves special DVD features MUST buy this special addition. There are about 30 minutes of deleted scenes, hilarious bloopers and Mel Brooks tops it all off with insightful, intelligent commentary. A great DVD that does justice to one of the greatest classic comedies of all time. I couldn't turn it off. |
"Roll, roll, roll in ze hay!"
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| Review Date: February 19, 2001 |
| Reviewer: Jay Dickson, Portland, OR |
| This may just be the funniest movie of all time. Mel Brooks never before (and never again) worked with the tight parameters he did here: gene Wilder actually wrote most of the script, and that plus the use of the old Universal sets and props seem to have kept Borooks's more sophomoric instincts (which have gone overboard in some of his later films) tightly in check. Thus he--and everyone else in the film--is doing their absolutely finest work ever. From Teri Garr "rolling in ze hay," to Kenneth Mars's inspired Police Inspector, everyone in the entire film seems to be working at their most hysterically hilarious. Special mention must be given to Gene Wilder giving one of his most classic performances of his strangled-fury schtick ever ("Put... the candle... back!!!") and to Peter Boyle, for his very poignant and funny depiction of the Monster. But standing above all of the end in terms of sheer brilliance is Madeline Kahn, giving what must be the funniest female performace ever on film as Frankenstein's fiancee and the monster's eventual bride. Unlike everyone else in the film, she's not really parodying anyone other than herself; yet nevertheless her depiction of Elizabeth, the wealthy prude who discovers she's a volcano of passion undeneath, is so funny I'm practically crying almost every time I see this film. There's one brief little scene where she's brushing her hair in her boudoir before the Monster steals into her room and kidnaps her, and for absolutely no apparent reason(which makes the scene all the funnier) she's giving vent to a deeply lusty rendition of "The Battle Hymn of the Republic" while brushing out her hair. It is the funniest five seconds in the entire film--and in a film this hilarious that's saying a lot. |
The BEST Parody Film of All Time...
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| Review Date: December 7, 1999 |
| Reviewer: , America's Heartland |
| ...yes, even better than "Airplane", and quite possibly the funniest film of all time, period. Side-splittingly funny and infinitely quotable, this is film is absolutely priceless. Filmed in black and white, the movie is filled with atmosphere, fantastic one-liners and classic characters. Marty Feldman and Madeline Kahn completely steal the show, you'd never guess that Inga was the same Terri Garr from "Tootsie", Cloris Leachman is virtually, wonderfully, unrecognizable, and you will never- and I mean NEVER- be able to look at Peter Boyle the same way again after seeing his portrayal of the monster (especially after viewing "Puttin' on the Ritz"). The fantastic script, by both Brooks and star Gene ("it's pronounced Fronkensteen") Wilder, was nominated for an Oscar, and so fantastic are the lines that you will find yourself using them in every-day life (I have and still do). This movie will make you giggle, chuckle and laugh out loud. It's the blueprint for all parody films ever made and it's still the very best. This is a movie that can be watched over and over, as little things will get by you on the first couple of viewings. I love the tip of the cap to "The Bride of Frankenstein" near the end of the film and especially love Kenneth Mars' portrayal of the heavily accented town Constable ("Footschteps, footschteps, footschteps!"). This is my all-time favorite movie. And "Bluecher" in German means "glue"... |
Well, why isn't it "Froaderick Fronkensteen"?
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| Review Date: June 19, 2004 |
| Reviewer: Lawrance M. Bernabo, The Zenith City, Duluth, Minnesota |
| People might find other Mel Brooks films to be funnier, pointing to "The Producers" and "Blazzing Saddles," but I still think that "Young Frankenstein" is far and away his best film ever. Of course this might be because a lot of the credit goes to Gene Wilder, who co-wrote the script and plays Dr. Frederick Frankenstein, grandson of the infamous monster maker who finally decides to pick up the family business. Then there is the first-rate cast, with Peter Boyle as the Monster ("Putting on the Riiittzzzz"), Marty Feldman as Igor ("What hump?"), Madeline Kahn as Elizabeth ("Ah, sweet mystery of life at last you've found me!"), Terri Garr as Inga ("Roll, roll, roll in the hay!", and Cloris Leachman as Frau Blucher (Neeeeiiigghghh!!!!!). I even like the film score by John Morris that sets the right tone from start to finish, including the haunting theme that lures the monster back to the castle where he was born (with a nice French horn part for Igor). But what I really think makes this film work is that there are several scenes that are played absolutely straight, such as when Frederick reclaims his family name and the Monster is tormented in the jail cell. Then there is the doctor's speech at the moment of creation, which stacks up against anything you will find in any of the classic Universal Frankenstein films: "From that fateful day when stinking bits of slime first crawled from the sea and shouted to the cold stars, 'I am man', our greatest dread has always been the knowledge of our mortality. But tonight, we shall hurl the gauntlet of science into the frightful face of death itself. Tonight, we shall ascend into the heavens. We shall mock the earthquake. We shall command the thunders, and penetrate into the very womb of impervious nature herself!" Wow. Read that and tell me that Brooks and Wilder did not know what they were doing in this one. Yes, this is a comedy, but it has a strong affection for the films it is spoofing, "Frankenstein" and "The Bride of Frankenstein," that comes through in several excellent homages. The extra material included on the DVD shows that Brooks and Wilder left lots of funny shtick on the cutting room floor, which should not surprise anyone. There is no reason that "Young Frankenstein" and "The Producers" cannot be included on anybody's list of Top 10 Comedy Films of All-Time. They are both are mine. |
Comedic Classic: A Rare and Touching Gem
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| Review Date: October 2, 2005 |
| Reviewer: Daniel R. Sanderman, Portland, OR United States |
YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN is one of the funniest movies I've ever seen. There are so many things that Mel Brooks and Gene Wilder got right in this film, it is hard to enumerate them. Suffice it to say that this film, spawned from a real love of the "Frankenstein" films of the 1930s, manages to satirize the originals with perfect grace, all the while creating a movie that is strangely touching in its own right. The comedy is spot-on and I found myself rolling at several points.
The film itself is gorgeous. It is entirely shot in black & white. It was a great decision to do so, too: the black & white film lends the movie a "haunted" feel that transports the audience back to the shadows and gloom of the 1930s originals. Not only does the B&W film allow us to "get in the right mood," I also believe that it is what contributes to the fact that YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN achieves more than just a simple parody. As strange as it sounds, particularly when compared to modern parodies, this film manages to tell a touching story. There is a real human element to this film, despite all of its (hilarious) off-color jokes and humor.
Let me make a few comments on the special features: this is not a crummy DVD. There are a bunch of extras that make this edition worthy of buying. The DVD quality is superb. Additionally, there is a commentary by Brooks, a 36 minute documentary, outtakes, deleted scenes, and some weird "Mexican" interviews. I particularly enjoyed watching the documentary of how this wonderful film came to the big screen. It was obviously a labor of love and it shows.
If you enjoy Mel Brooks's films, the original Frankenstein films, or simply a great & timeless comedy, you honestly cannot go wrong with YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN. It holds up after thirty years and will continue to do so for many to come. |
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