**Spoilers**
If you have not yet seen this episode, PLEASE go and do so before proceeding.
"That's FRONK-en-STEEN!"
Now THIS is how a spoof movie is made! Take note, concoctors of the pestilence known as Epic Movie and Meet The Spartans! Frankenstein's monster has become a pop culture icon, what with his green, misshapen head and signature bolted neck. Especially around Halloween, images of the creature are practically impossible to avoid. He's everywhere. Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley's science fiction novel about a mad scientists's attempts to play God were brought to the Universal silver screen by the brilliant Boris Karloff in 1931. Since then, remakes, sequels, and various other adaptations of the famed story of a re-animated, patchwork man have been coming out with little sign of a waning popularity (though the recent I, Frankenstein may just convince us to put the franchise back in the coffin for a while).There has been everything from stage adaptations, Frankenberry cereal mascots, and a sequel titled Bride of Frankenstein that seeks to exploit the popularity of the modern Prometheus. Then, in 1974, famed comedians Mel Brooks and Gene Wilder took on the monster of a franchise and created their own cult classic hit in Young Frankenstein.
Everything about this film is a joy to watch. The music is incredible (very haunting and yet catchy), the humour has something for everyone, and the performances by the cast only become more enjoyable the more you watch them. Determined to make it as accurate a satire as possible, they actually filmed the movie in black-and-white on the original set of the 1931 Frankenstein and used many of the original props. It is a film that seeks to poke gentle, loving fun at something that was so huge and so dramatic while also paying tribute. So much love and care was thrown into the movie and story that I really feel it stands a cut above even other Mel Brooks films. It even inspired, some years later, a Broadway adaptation.
What's the story? Doctor Frederick Frankenstein is the grandson of the famed Henry Frankenstein (creator of the monster) who hates his family and wants nothing to do with them. He's even changed his name, insisting that it be pronounced "Fronk-en-steen". Upon the death of his great-grandfather, though, he is named sole heir to the family land and castle and must go to Transylvania in order to close the estate and claim his inheritance. Outrageous hilarity ensues from there.
Favorite Moments & Random Thoughts:
- I absolutely ADORE the 'Transylvanian Lullaby'...the violin motif that features throughout the film as both music and a plot point. One of my greatest regrets is that the musical replaced it with another number. It's one of my favorite movie themes of all time. It's also a lot of fun to play on the violin...
- Right from the opening shots of the post-credits film, I am taken back to the era of black-and-white, classic movies. Everything from the slightly-grainy texture of the film to the fact that the props are obviously props (to say nothing of the silent, almost hokey pantomime acting and the long, still shots) is just steeped in the atmosphere.
- It is interesting to note that Gene Wilder only agreed to be in the film if Mel Brooks agreed to forgo his customary cameo. Mel Brooks liked the idea of the project (and of having the film star Wilder) so much, that he readily agreed. This is, I believe, the only Mel Brooks film that you will see where Brooks himself does not appear.
- "...if not for this constant stream of nerve impulses, we would COLLAPSE! LIKE BROCCOLI!"
- Frederick's fiancée is absolutely ridiculous. It makes me laugh whenever she keeps shoving off his every advance by freaking out over her appearance. They finally settle, not on a hug or kiss goodbye, but on bumping elbows.
- We've got to talk about Igor...and make sure you pronounce his name with the long 'i' vowel sound. And don't mention his hump. He's in denial that he even has one. I just love the way he takes stock of Frederick and then proceeds to mercilessly take the mickey out of the doctor at every turn. Marty Feldman was MADE to play this part.
- "Walk this way." That quote inspired an Aerosmith song.
- Teri Garr plays Inga, Frederick's curvaceous and airheaded laboratory assistant who has one thing and one thing only on her mind...complete with an utterly over-the-top German accent. Fun fact: Garr was originally called in to audition for the part of Frederick's fiancée, but so impressed the casting directors with her funny take on Inga and her accent that she was given that part instead.
- There are a dozen or so funny Easter eggs in each scene...like the fact that Cloris Leachman's character carries around an unlit candelabra. Or that the horses whinny in fright every time they hear Frau Blucher's name. One really must wonder what she did to them.
- Frederick's face whenever she kisses his grandfather's portrait is just hilarious.
- Freddie's nightmare where he eventually starts singing out: "Destiny! Destiny! No escaping that for me! Destiny! Destiny! No escaping that for me!" is pretty funny.
- The bookcase scene still makes me howl with laughter whenever he gets stuck.
- "Wait, Master. It might be dangerous. You go first." Igor...are you related to an Egyptian played by John Rhys-Davies, by any chance?
- I get chills during the scene where they find Victor's old laboratory. Not only am I amazed that they thought to track down and use the original props and set again, but the voice over quoting the infamous scene from the original is a nice touch. I like that this film isn't afraid to be dramatic as well as just non-stop comedy. Sometimes, to be funny and effective, you have to play it entirely straight.
- Then, on the other hand, sometimes you have scenes like Frederick and Igor sneaking through town with a body, dropping the coffin, and having to shake hands with the constable (using the dead guy's hand).
- Igor going to get the brain (and, kudos to Frederick for actually learning from his grandfather's mistakes and trying for a more sophisticated brain) will never fail to make me jump and howl with laughter. But the real funny moment comes whenever Igor and Inga are raising Frederick on the platform and he's giving his great speech. Gene Wilder always looks slightly mad scientist with his wild, curly hair, but when you add in a pair of ridiculous goggles and have him screaming "LIFE! DO YOU HEAR ME? GIVE MY CREATION. LIIIIIIIFE!" it becomes downright hysterical.
- The dessert scene where the monster wakes up and starts making 'yummy' sounds...hahahaha! Peter Boyle definitely deserves some kudos for his portrayal of the creature. He gives a sweet, childlike performance that really makes you come to feel for this unfortunate creation and the world he has been thrust into. It captures a lot of the tragedy of Karloff's portrayal, while also being an excellent comic foil He also plays off of Gene Wilder perfectly, despite the fact that he can only talk in grunts and screams.
- I feel like The Unicorn and the Wasp from Doctor Who stole a lot from this movie with the pantomime syllables scene.
- The brain of Abby Normal. *snort*
- It should also be mentioned that Inspector Kemp is the highlight of the movie. Just sayin'...
- Though Frau Blucher comes in a close second. "HE VAS MY BOYFRIEND!" There's even a whole song in the musical devoted to that iconic line.
- I love how they've recreated the scenes with the little girl and the blind hermit, but infused them with situational humor by making the girl demanding or asking the question of what if the blind hermit made a few mistakes. Great stuff!
- I will never be able to look at 'Putting on the Ritz' in the same way again...
- It's about the time that Elizabeth (Frederick's fiancée) shows up that everything starts to hit the fan. A mob comes to the castle to kill Victor, the creature abducts Elizabeth, Inga and Frederick have a rendezvous on the roof, and Frederick re-captures the monster and bravely donates some of his brain matter in order to give his creation a chance at stabilizing and having a life.
- Elizabeth also becomes a parody of Bride of Frankenstein as she gains the white stripes in her hair and falls in love with the creature whom she dubs 'Zipperneck'.
- She leaves Frederick to the tender mercies of Inga, who is more than happy to continue assisting him in his laboratory.
Young Frankenstein is a funny, enjoyable satire that goes from a horror comedy to an existential look into the fear of being rejected and the desire to be loved without ever missing a beat or losing the plot. It features slapstick, outrageously bawdy jokes, and more loving irreverent satire than you can shake a stick at. Certainly one of Mel Brooks' more sophisticated films and one of the best spoof movies ever made. Young Frankenstein is a 5/5.
No comments:
Post a Comment