Young Frankenstein

Year: 1974 Director: Mel Brooks

The story centres around Dr Frederick Frankenstein (Gene Wilder) or as he prefers it to be pronounced Dr Frederick Fronkonsteen. Dr Frankenstein is a highly respected neurosurgeon and also the grandson son of Dr Victor Von Frankenstein (creator of Frankenstein's monster) but he is trying to distance himself from his grandfathers work. When he inherits his grandfathers castle he returns there to be greeted by Igor (Mary Feldman) the hunchbacked "go for" of the castle. Using his grandfathers original notes on re-animation he intends to create new life from dead body parts. The re-animation experiment is successful but unwittingly the Dr has transplanted an abnormal brain into his "monster". What horror may be caused by the monster if he's humiliated? and, more importantly, will the monster be able to pull off a decent song and dance routine?

Yes I know Young Frankenstein is not that scary but it is an incredible film, and slightly scary - in a way, so we feel justified in adding it to the list. What is most immediately striking about the film is the attention to detail and thought that has gone into emulating the look of those classic early horror movies. In fact props from the original 1931 Frankenstein movie were used to add a further layer of authenticity. Also included in the film are many nice little tributes to the classic original movies like Frankenstein and especially Bride of Frankenstein (and later B movies). The other element that makes this film so delightful is the rate at which the gags come along and the quality of them. The cast is also superb and work off each other beautifully, with the restrained mania of Dr Frankenstein playing against the sardonic clowning of Igor, and the nuances of the rest of the cast. Special mention should be given to Gene Hackman's marvelous cameo as the Blind Man who befriends the monster, which is a piece of absolute underplayed comic mastery (a shame perhaps that Hackman hasn't played more comedic roles in his illustrious career).Forget The Producers and Blazing Saddles this is Mel Brooks greatest piece of work.

Young Frankenstein features in our Interactive Haunted House of Horror guide to horror films and scary movies.

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