An affectionate parody that pays homage to the FRANKENSTEIN films (from the novel FRANKENSTEIN by Mary Shelley) directed by James Whale in the 1930s, YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN is both a zany comedy and a cinematic tour de force. Written by director Mel Brooks and the film's star, Gene Wilder, YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN has all the usual--and in this case slightly unusual--suspects: the reluctant scientist Frederick Frankenstein, who is actually the grandson of the infamous creature-creator (pronounced "Fronken-steen" and played by Wilder), his spoiled fiancée (Madeline Kahn), Igor the pop-eyed hunchback (Marty Feldman), his dizzy assistant (Teri Garr), the castle's hideous head housekeeper (Cloris Leachman), and, of course, the Monster (Peter Boyle). Highlights include the sets, which are the original ones used in the Whale films; the beautiful black-and-white cinematography; and the fine screenplay. Combining noirish elegance with uproarious sight gags and double entendres is a feat Brooks pulls off fabulously, directing the wonderful ensemble to act with sensitivity and humanistic feelings as well as with lunatic abandon. YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN is a treat from beginning to end.
Theatrical Release: December 15, 1974.
YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN is number 13 on the American Film Institute's list of America's 100 Funniest Movies.
The film employs much of the original laboratory equipment used in the original FRANKENSTEIN, designed by Kenneth Strickfaden, who had the stuff set up in his basement and lent Brooks the set, creating some new pieces to go with the old.
The film was shot at a 1:85 frame ratio, as were the old FRANKENSTEIN films, and this helped to create the movie's classic look, as did the use of iris outs, spins, and wipes.
Gene Wilder came up with the original concept for the film while starring in Brooks's BLAZING SADDLES and approached him with the idea.
Said Wilder of working on the script with Brooks, "I would say, 'I don't want this to be BLAZING FRANKENSTEIN,' and he'd answer, 'I don't want an art film that only 14 people see.'"
Kenneth Mars, who played the crazy Nazi playwright in Brooks's THE PRODUCERS, created a parody of Lionel Atwill in SON OF FRANKENSTEIN in his characterization of Inspector Kemp in YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN.
Excerpt: "Can I get you some-sing, Doctor, some varm meelk, perhaps?"--Frau Blucher
"Nothing, no. I'm fine."--Frankenstein (Gene Wilder)
"Nosing at all?"--Frau Blucher
"No, NOTHING."--Frankenstein
"Ovalteeeen?"--Frau Blucher
"NO!"--Frankenstein
"What knockers!"--Frederick as he simultaneously looks at the doors to the castle and helps Inga (Teri Garr) down from the horse-drawn cart
"Sank you, Doctor!" she fetchingly replies
Blu-ray Disc Features:
Region [unknown]
Full Frame - 1.33
Widescreen - 2.35
Audio:
English: DTS Master Audio 5.1
Mono - English Spanish, French
Subtitles - English, Spanish - Optional
Additional Release Material:
Outtakes
Deleted Scenes: 7 Deleted Scenes
Featurette: Making FrankenSense of Young Frankenstein
Audio Commentary: Mel Brooks - Director
TV Spots:
1. 60 Second Spots
2. 30 Second Spots
3. 10 Second Spots
Interviews:
1. Mexican Interviews
2. Marty Feldman
3. Gene Wilder & Cloris Leachman
Trailers:
1. Showrama
2. Trailer A
3. Trailer B
4. International Trailer
5. Re-release Trailer
6. Fox On Blu-ray Trailers
Text/Photo Galleries:
19 Production Photographs
Plus all new HD VAM
Distributor Notes: Mel Brooks' monstrously crazy tribute to Mary Shelley's classic pokes hilarious fun at just about every Frankenstein movie ever made. Summoned by a will to his late grandfather's castle in Transylvania, young Dr. Frankenstein (Gene Wilder) soon discovers the scientist's step-by-step manual explaining how to bring a corpse to life. Assisted by the hunchback Igor (Marty Feldman) and the curvaceous Ings (Teri Garr), he creates a monster (Peter Boyle) who only wants to be loved.
Source: 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment
Cinematographer
Gerald Hirschfeld: American Director of Photography
Writer
Mel Brooks: American Director/Writer/Producer/Comedian
Production Designer
Dale Hennesy:
Review 1:
"...With sterling support from Teri Garr, Cloris Leachman and the superb Marty Feldman..."
Source: Total Film
p.102 09/01/2000
Review 2:
"[Brooks'] funniest movie. Gene Wilder as Frankenstein's grandson is all repressed hysteria, Marty Feldman a superbly deformed Igor..."
Source: Uncut
p.105 02/01/2006
Review 3:
"...Mel Brooks' masterpiece....[It] turned out to be one of Twentieth Century-Fox's biggest hits of the era..."
Source: USA Today
p.3D 01/10/1997
Review 4:
"...[With] some inspired comic performances from Peter Boyle and Gene Wilder..."
Source: Sight and Sound
p.63 12/01/2000
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