Synopsis of Movie

“For what we are about to see next, we must enter quietly into the realm of genius!”

Part spoof, part homage, all comedy, Mel Brooks’ Young Frankenstein did for old-fashioned horror what his Blazing Saddles had done for westerns earlier that year. Shot in black and white, with a spooky score from John Morris, and even using the lab set from 1931’s original Frankenstein, Brooks’ film looked and sounded every bit the serious horror film…at least until the first slapstick gag.

The star of the show is young scientist Frederick von Frankenstein, grandson of the famed Dr. Victor von Frankenstein. Frederick would like to forget his heritage, insisting that his university students pronounce his last name “Fronkensteen,” but when news arrives that Frederick has inherited his grandfather’s Transylvanian estate, the young Frankenstein travels to see his new digs.

In Transylvania, Frederick meets Igor (call him “Eye-gore”), whose grandfather worked for Frederick’s grandfather. With the voluptuous blonde Inga in tow, Frederick and Igor travel to the Castle Frankenstein. At the castle, the group is greeted by the terrifying Frau Blucher, whose very name causes horses to whinny. Despite Frederick’s insistence that he wants no part of his grandfather’s experiments, the young Frankenstein is drawn by strange music to the old lab, where he finds a conveniently-placed copy of How I Did It, by Victor von Frankenstein. Inspired, Frederick builds a body and dispatches Igor to retrieve a brain.

Unfortunately, the hunchbacked assistant returns with an abnormal brain, and the resulting monster is impossible to control. The Monster escapes into the nearby village, first encountering a young girl, then a blind man with a clumsy streak. Frederick gets his creation back for a spell, training him for a tandem “Puttin’ on the Ritz” soft shoe, but when even that fails, Frederick must consider drastic measures to save the creature he has created and come to love.

With a nod not only to Frankenstein, but also Bride of Frankenstein and even Son of Frankenstein, Young Frankenstein brought back fond memories of the creature features of yore, then gave then a winking tweak on the nose. Mel Brooks and Gene Wilder’s screenplay earned the pair an Oscar nomination (for Best Adapted Screenplay, giving novelist Mary Shelley her due), and audiences across the country agreed with the Academy’s recommendation.

The film was one of the biggest hits of the year, trailing only The Towering Inferno and Blazing Saddles. And like the films that inspired it, Young Frankenstein remains a treasured classic today, still putting audiences in stitches after more than 25 years.

Movie Release History

1974 - Young Frankenstein

Movie Sub Categories

live-action
comedy
horror

Movie Studio

20th Century Fox

Cast

Dr. Frederick von Frankenstein  Gene Wilder
The Monster  Peter Boyle
Igor  Marty Feldman
Elizabeth  Madeline Kahn
Frau Blucher  Cloris Leachman
Inga  Teri Garr
Inspector Kemp   Kenneth Mars
Herr Falkstein   Richard Haydn
Mr. Hilltop   Liam Dunn
Medical Student  Danny Goldman
Sadistic Jailor  Oscar Beregi Jr.
Second Village Elder   Arthur Malet
Inspector Kemp's Aide  Richard A. Roth
Gravedigger  Monte Landis
Gravedigger  Rusty Blitz
Little Girl  Anne Beesley
The Blind Hermit   Gene Hackman
Villager  Ian Abercrombie
Werewolf/Cat Hit by Dart (voice)  Mel Brooks
Frightened Villager  Lou Cutell
Third Villager (Joe)  Randolph Dobbs
First Village Elder  Berry Kroeger
Unknown John Dennis
Unknown Michael Fox
Unknown Lidia Kristen
Unknown John Madison
Unknown Rick Norman
Unknown Pat O'Hara
Unknown Terence Pushman
Unknown Norbert Schiller
Unknown Rolfe Sedan

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