There are some movies that get a person giggling no matter how depressed you might be. They have their way of literally getting under your skin…inside your brain…and make you smile. These types of films are so far out there that you must “walk this way” just to get home again or perhaps you end up forgetting which shoulder has the “hump.” When I want to laugh out loud, I merely close my eyes and dream of tapping to PUTTING ON THE RITZ. I am madly in love with wild, fuzzy hair and big, baby “blue” eyes. I can’t stop myself from screaming “It’s alive!” over and over again. And if I really want to chuckle, I will do the “Pardon me boys” bit while looking for “track 29.” Oh, I could go on forever with all the zany, improvised one-liners. I was only 23 when YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN made its debut, but I never forgot what an eccentric and bizarre movie Mel Brooks and Gene Wilder created together. It was the best non-horror movie that made me forget about being scared and honored the absurdity of Hollywood.
YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN is a hoot. There are silly schticks around every frame, monologue, and dialogue. Sometimes the cast had to redo take after take because no one could stop laughing. Mel Brooks, the writer, and director had to stuff a hankie in his mouth whenever the camera was rolling so he wouldn’t make a sound. Gene Hackman, who portrayed the Blind Man, took 17 takes for one of his lines. Every ensemble member didn’t want the filming to end because they were having such a great time together. Mel added an hour more of scenes just so they could continue the momentum. In the end, editing was a tough job to get it right.
YOUNG FRANKESNTEIN’s cast is of the highest comedic caliber. It includes Gene Wilder, Madeline Khan, Marty Feldman, Terri Garr, Peter Boyle, and Cloris Leachman. Need I say more? Many of the best jokes were thought of while filming and then saved for the final cut. The chemistry among these comedians was off the chart. Timing…breaths…beats…and enormous facial expressions gave YF every advantage. It was like filming a theatre production for but using black and white film. This was a tribute to the old Frankenstein movie franchise of the 1930s. And it worked brilliantly even when Marty Feldman as Igor broke the fourth wall five times and spoke directly into the camera. Everything melded perfectly and audiences went along for the ride.
YF was nominated for two Oscars but did not win, but that’s okay. Hollywood does not always get it right. Gene Hackman didn’t take any paychecks for his four-minute scene that took four days to film. (Again, he couldn’t stop laughing.) Cloris Leachman did her own makeup adding the wart on her chin as an afterthought. Mel didn’t want to include the tap, tux, top hat, and cane number because he thought it might be too silly. It was Gene’s idea and he convinced Mel to change his mind by previewing the audience’s reaction. Smart choice. Madeline as Elizabeth added her classically trained voice at those strategic seconds when dealing with a long “Schwanz”. Okay, now I am giggling again.
YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN is a true gift to the cinematic world. It never feels old or outdated. This is due to the genius of Mel Brooks. He had a vision to create a timeless classic comedy that is still beloved by people everywhere. It was one of the top three that he directed in his life, and it was Gene’s favorite. The story stands on its own breathing life into Mary Shelley’s famous monster tale. No one can do what Brooks does on screen. He is one of a kind who creates hysterical, raucous, memorable, entertaining films. And YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN is among the best of the best. It is available to stream on TCM.
