Young Frankenstein (1974)

Product Details

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 cinematic tour de force. Written by director Mel Brooks and the star of the film, 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), his spoiled fiancee, Igor the pop-eyed hunchback, his dizzy assistant, the castles hideous head housekeeper, and, of course, the Monster. And then there are the sets 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.