2022 marks the fiftieth anniversary of iconic movie, Young Frankenstein. This beloved comedy horror parody was birthed from the brilliant minds of Mel Brooks and the late Gene Wilder, whose multidimensional creative relationship began when Wilder was cast by Brooks in his 1967 film, The Producers. Both these legends went on to develop and create masterpieces like Young Frankenstein and Blazing Saddles.
Birth of an Idea on the Sets of Blazing Saddles
In Mel Brooks’s memoir, “All About Me!”, he recalls that the idea of Young Frankenstein first sprung to Wilder while they were on the set of Blazing Saddles. According to Brooks, Wilder passed him a note titled ‘Young Frankenstein’ in which he described an idea for a film satirizing the concepts in the original Frankenstein movies.
An Unconventional Initial Payment
The creative journey, however, started on a humorous note. When Wilder proposed for Brooks to co-write and direct the movie, Brooks is said to have asked for a down payment, to which Wilder could only offer $57 at the time. They started working on the script at Wilder’s bungalow, laboring on revising each scene until they were content with the final product.
Sticking to Black and White
In their shared vision, Brooks and Wilder were determined to mimic the aesthetics of 1930s horror films by shooting Young Frankenstein in black and white. This almost cost them a deal with Columbia Pictures, but they stood their ground, believing in the authenticity it would add to their film. Eventually, they signed a $2.4 million deal with Twentieth Century Fox.
Box Office Success Opens Doors
The investment paid off handsomely when Young Frankenstein hit the theaters, earning over $86 million in box office returns. This huge success empowered Twentieth Century Fox’s Alan Ladd Jr. to green light future classics like Star Wars, Alien, and Thelma and Louise.
Collaboration Creates Comedic Gold
One of the funniest moments in the movie is credited to Marty Feldman, who portrayed Igor. When his character was offered surgical help for his hump, Feldman improvises with the hilarious response, “What hump?” This brilliant ad-lib from Feldman has since become one of the most legendary comedic moments in the film.
Original Frankenstein Props Make a Comeback
In keeping with the authentic feel, the film used original Frankenstein laboratory equipment from the 1931 blockbuster, stashed away for years in the garage of the original designer, Kenneth Strickfalden.
An Unrecognizable Gene Hackman
In an interesting twist, Gene Hackman, known then for his Oscar-winning performance in The French Connection, asked for a comedic role. Hackman’s character was so disguised under a heavy beard that viewers only recognized him once they saw his name in the credits.
A Spectacular Performance by Teri Garr
Inga, Frankenstein’s lab assistant, was impressively played by Teri Garr. Her iconic line, “vould you like to have a roll in ze hay?” still echoes in the minds of fans.
Creativity Triumphs Over Potential Legal Problems
Keeping away from legal issues, the film did not use the neck bolts that the original Frankenstein was known for, instead, they opted for a zipper. William Tuttle, a veteran makeup artist, was the creative genius behind this solution.
50 Years of ‘Puttin on the Ritz’
An initially controversial scene where Wilder’s Frankenstein performs “Puttin’ on the Ritz” with Boyle’s monster turned out to be an absolute hit. Despite the heated argument Brooks and Wilder had about its plausibility, the dance number is now remembered as one of the film’s highlights.
In conclusion, Young Frankenstein has etched its way into our hearts through 50 years with its perfect blend of comedy, horror, satire, and unforgettable performances. It is the remarkable brainchild of an enduring collaboration between titans of comedy, Mel Brooks and Gene Wilder.
