For a really delightful parody, James Whale's own Bride of Frankenstein is far better value.
Young Frankenstein (1974)
Runtime: 2 hrs 10 mins
Synopsis: 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... 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. [More]
Genre: Comedies
Starring: Gene Wilder, Peter Boyle, Marty Feldman, Madeline Kahn, Cloris Leachman
DVD Info
Release:
May 9, 2006
DVD Features:
- Keep Case
- Widescreen
Audio:
- (unspecified) - English, French
- Subtitles - Spanish - Optional
Additional Release Material:
- Alternate Scenes - Deleted Scenes
- Audio Commentary - Mel Brooks - Director
- Documentary
- Interviews - Cloris Leachman - Star
- Outtakes - Outtakes
- Trailers - Theatrical Trailer
Text/Photo Galleries:
- Stills/Photos - Feldman & Wilder Collections
Interactive Features:
- Interactive Menus
- Scene Selection
Reviews
More about the myth of Karloff than the monster, this Mel Brooks pastiche is probably his best early film.
...an unswervingly funny yet loving and beautifully crafted homage, something more artful and lasting than the usual pull-my-finger farce or focus-grouped Scary Movie lowballer.
Bug-eyed Marty Feldman steals the show as Igor, pronounced 'Eye-gor'.
It shows artistic growth and a more sure-handed control of the material by a director who once seemed willing to do literally anything for a laugh. It's more confident and less breathless.
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